The Las Vegas Raiders have began their second round of interviews by talking to Ejiro Evero of Carolina Panthers and Jesse Minter of the Los Angeles. They are both defensive coordinao0trs.
Yet, continuing
a long belief, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz stated Wednesday that the feel around the NFL is the Raiders want to hire an offensive-minded coach as they are expected to select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick.
Schultz focused on Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and Denver Broncos passing-game coordinator Davis Webb. They are both playing in the conference championship games Sunday. If their teams win, the coaches won’t be available to officially hire until after the Super Bowl, which if February 8. if their teams lose Sunday, the Raiders will be able to move forward with the candidates immediately.
The Raiders have already satisfied the NFL’s Rooney Rule and are free to make a hire at any time.
It’s not a surprise to see a report that the Raiders are looking for an offensive coach after employing defensive-minded head coaches Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll the past two years. Even before Carroll was fired 16 days ago, there were reports that stated the Raiders were looking at offensive coaches who would be first-time head coaches. Both Kubiak and Webb would be first-time head coaches.
Schultz said Raiders’ part owner Tom Brady, who is helping lead the search, has been impressed by Kubiak as he has been calling a lot of his games recently. Brady will see the Seahawks on Sunday in the NFC championship game. Both Kubiak and Webb have other head-coaching interest.
The Raiders have interviewed more than a dozen coaches this month. Here are the candidates, in addition to Evero, Minter Kubiak and Webb, who are still available: Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LeFleur, Rams passing-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
