Entering the conference championship round, only four NFL teams have active coaches. Some from the other 28 clubs are interviewing for six head coaching vacancies.
The Oakland Raiders have been in the hunt for a prime candidate, though a final decision — or even a short list — is seemingly absent. Though it’s still early, the Buffalo Bills hired former Jets chief Rex Ryan on Monday, and the dominoes may begin to fall quickly.
Several names have been linked to the Raiders by multiple sources and reports, but a few stand above the rest: Pep Hamilton (Colts offensive coordinator), Jack Del Rio (Broncos defensive coordinator), Mike Shanahan (unemployed, with plenty experience), Darrell Bevell (Seahawks offensive coordinator), Tony Sparano (Raiders interim head coach) and Pat Shurmur (Eagles offensive coordinator).
The Raiders had to interview a minority candidate via the Rooney Rule. Though they could have technically interviewed anyone off the street, Hamilton filled the slot, and despite being an underdog to some, has a fair argument.
With a solid quarterback in Andrew Luck, Hamilton formed several late-round receivers and two under-achieving running backs into one of the most potent offenses in the NFL. Sure, Luck is a primary cog. But one could imagine a Derek Carr-led team with Hamilton at the helm achieving similar results.
Del Rio is another top choice, and as Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning, will interview with the Raiders on Tuesday.
The case for Del Rio, at least from the roster perspective, isn’t quite as solid as Hamilton and others. He’s had Von Miller, Terrance Knighton, among others. He gets big time credit for helping cornerback Chris Harris become arguably the best defensive back in the game.
But that’s where it becomes murky. Is Del Rio’s success because of the roster, or him? Nobody really has a clear answer.
Bevell and Shurmur round out the list of top candidates, and as this author sees it, Shanahan and Sparano are longshots at best.
Bevell helped a talented quarterback in Russell Wilson and a number of late-round picks form yet another very dangerous offense. He was able to rely on stingy defensive play, but defense doesn’t win championships alone. You have to put up points.
That’s exactly what Seattle did against the 49ers in the 2013 NFC Championship game before pummeling Denver 43-8 in the Super Bowl. Bevell’s play-calling has been superb, particularity his penchant for playing to his personnel rather than his own philosophies.
Shumur is a dark horse. He’s had some weapons to play with in Philly, but not enough to expect the wompings the Eagles offense has doled out to opponents. It’s certainly not the roster that has helped Shurmur along, though Chip Kelly’s influence is undeniable.
A strong interview or two could push Shurmur to the top of the list, but as of now, he’s far away.
Hamilton and Bevell make the most sense. Both have proven that they have the skills to convert Oakland’s lackluster offense into something special. Or at least that if their quarterback has talent, they don’t need splashy free agent signings.
Only mid-round draft selections and a little time.
Those traits fit what the Raiders have been trying to do since beginning the most ambitious rebuild in league history — create a team with the draft, and minimally supplementing the roster in free agency.
While Del Rio will finish his second interview Tuesday, Raiders fans shouldn’t take it as a sure thing. Because Hamilton and Bevell just seem like better candidates for this team.
Follow @SFBay and @LeskiwSFBay on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of the Oakland Raiders.
Last modified January 14, 2015 12:13 am
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I wouldn't be upset with Hamilton or Bevell, but they would have a lot more "on the job training" as first time HCs than Del Rio would. Del Rio had 9 seasons in Jacksonville with poor QBs and he had nearly a .500 record during an era where Manning-led Indy was the force in that division. Much of Del Rio's strength as a candidate would come down to who his coordinators are. If he had top coordinators, I would have a lot of confidence in his leadership succeeding. Mediocre coordinators would not be a good sign. In terms of Hamilton or Bevell, it would be a much bigger gamble. Head coaches have far bigger duties than coordinators, and it would be much harder for them to put their full focus on offensive game planning, so to expect their offense to fully translate from their OC role to the HC role is not an expectation you can fully bank on. They, too, would be reliant on coordinators. At HC, we should look for the best leader and organizer. I would be OK with any of these three, but I would have more confidence in Del Rio being at least solid than the other two, who could easily fall flat in a new role.
Now here is an article that at least makes some sense. Del Rio is no different than Sparano except that the team already supports Sparano so Del Rio actually takes us back a step.
The only way Del Rio closes the gap between the Broncos & the Raiders is the fact that with Fox gone & maybe Manning as well, The Broncos have to do some rebuilding & Re-organization.
I know Del Rio is Def & Sparano is O line but we gave up some of the fewest sacks this season which for the Raiders is a big deal. Del Rio's defense laid an egg at home in the playoffs.
They both have below average career stats with under talented teams in dis functional organizations... except Carr, Woodson & other Raiders support Sparano.
If you are going to make a change at least do it with an offensive minded coach. As far as supporting Del Rio for "being from the bay area" If a guy has been in the NFL for decades and been with almost a dozen organizations and one of them has not been the Raiders... maybe he does not have silver and Black in his blood.. in fact maybe he steered clear of the Raiders, but to say he is from the bay area so that makes his a good candidate is the stupid logic that continues to make the Raiders losers.