Jon Gruden was Offered Another College Gig

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden was suddenly fired last December, sending a shock through the NFL, it apparently also opened up the eyes and cheque books of a few college teams.

Last month Jon Gruden seriously considered becoming the next head coach of Central State (Ohio) University, but eventually turned it down. As Gruden continues to tour the country, talking X's and O's with college coaches trying to learn more about the Spread Offense, which he says he wants to bring into the NFL.

One such meeting was with Oregon's New head coach Chip Kelly, who offered Gruden a spot on his staff as Offensive Coordinator. Gruden ultimately turned down the offer, so we can assume he will not be coaching in 2009, but when he coaches again in 2010 it is anybody's guess if it will be in the pros or in college.

Coaching Carousel (updated March 13th, 2009)

Hiring and Firings. Who's in and who's out in the NFL, we will try to keep you updated on all the latest changes around the NFL.

Arizona Cardinals:

• Offensive coordinator Todd Haley leaves to become KC's new head coach
• (Update) Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is fired
• Quarterbacks coach Jeff Rutledge has been fired.
• Cardinals have promoted linebackers coach Bill Davis to defensive coordinator

Carolina Panthers:

• Browns quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer will join the Carolina Panthers in the same capacity.
• Defensive line coach Sal Sunseri is leaving to take a job at Alabama.
• Panthers have hired former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks in same capacity.
• The Carolina Panthers have hired Richard Smith as linebackers coach.
• The Carolina Panthers have hired Ron Milus as secondary coach
• The Carolina Panthers have hired Brian Baker as defensive line coach

Chicago Bears:

• Former Detroit Lions Head Coach Rod Marinelli is hired as Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line.

Cleveland Browns:

• GM Phil Savage is fired after 4 seasons.
• Head Coach Romeo Crennel is also shown the door after 4 season.
• Browns name Eric Mangini new Head Coach.
• Browns have hired 5 new coaches, defensive line coach Bryan Cox, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, defensive quality control coach Andy Dickerson, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and assistant strength and conditioning coach Rick Lyle.
• (Update) Browns name George Kokinis as General Manager
• Browns quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer will join the Carolina Panthers in the same capacity.
• Gary Brown has been hired running backs coach.
• Browns hire ex-Butch Davis assistant Steve Hagen to direct tight ends.
• Browns have hired former University of Missouri assistant Matt Eberflus as linebackers coach

Dallas Cowboys

• Special teams coach Bruce Read has been fired after 2 seasons.
• Joe Decamillis has been hired as new special teams coach.
• Defensive Coordinator Brian Stewart has been fired.

Denver Broncos:

• Head Coach Mike Shanahan is fired after 14 season.
• Broncos have named Josh McDaniels as new Head Coach. Making McDaniels (32 years, 8 months and 20 days old)the fifth youngest Head Coach in NFL History.
• Broncos have hired Mike Nolan as Defensive Coordinator.
• Broncos add Adam Gase as Wide Recievers coach.
• Denver has hired former Panthers QB Coach Mike McCoy as Offensive Coordinator.
• The Broncos have added 3 more to its coaching staff. Mike Priefer as special teams coordinator, Wayne Nunnely as defensive line coach and Ed Donatell as secondary coach.
• Head coach Josh McDaniels hires his younger brother Ben as Offensive assistant.
• The Broncos staff is now complete as they have hired Clancy Barone to coach TE's.
• Broncos have hired Roman Phifer as assistant coach of linebackers. Phifer is a 15-year NFL veteran player who retired in 2005. This is his first pro coaching job.
• The Broncos retained Keith Burns as coaching assistant for special teams.
• Brian Xanders, has been promoted to general manager of the Denver Broncos.

Detroit Lions:

• Tom Lewand is named new Team President.
• Martin Mayhew is the new General Manager.
• Head Coach Rod Marinelli is fired after 3 seasons.
• The following assistants are also fired Joe Barry (Defensive Coordinator), Mike Barry (Assistant Offensive Line) Jimmy Lake (Secondary) and Joe Cullen (Defensive Line).
• Jim Colletto has been re-assigned to offensive line coach.
• Dave Boller (Assistant Director of Pro Personnel) will not be retained.
• Lions have named former Titans Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz their new Head Coach.
• Lions have hired former Chief defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham to the same position.
• New Lions head coach Jim Schwartz on Friday hired Scott Linehan as offensive coordinator.
• Head coach Jim Schwartz has added Matt Burke to his staff as linebackers coach.
• Lions have hired offensive line coach George Yarno.
• Lions have hired defensive backs coach Tim Walton .
• Jeff Horton replaces Scott Loeffler as Lions quarterbacks coach.
• Bob Karmelowicz takes over as defensive line coach.
• James "Shack" Harris is named personnel exective.

Green Bay Packers:

• Special Teams Coach Mike Stock to retire after 44 years in NFL.
• Defensive Coordinator Bob Sanders is fired.
• Defensive ends coach Carl Hairston, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn, secondary coach Kurt Schottenheimer, cornerbacks coach Lionel Washington as well as strength and conditioning coordinator Rock Gullickson have all been fired.
• Packers have announced that Dom Capers has been hired as defensive coordinator.

Houston Texans:

• Defensive Coordinator Richard Smith has been fired.
• Defensive Backs Coach Jon Hoke also fired.
• Defensive Line Coach Jethro Franklin also fired.
• Texans hire Frank Bush as Defensive Coordinator.
• The Texans have hired Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews as an assistant offensive coach.

Indianapolis Colts:

• Head Coach Tony Dungy announces retirement after 7 seasons with the team.
• Associate Head Coach Jim Caldwell named succesor.
• Former NFL QB Frank Reich is promoted to QB Coach.
• Special Teams Coach Russ Purnell's contract will not be renewed
• Defensive coordinator Ron Meeks has resigned.
• Colts have brought in former Bucs assistant Larry Coyer as defensive coordinator.
• Colts have named Ray Rychleski as special teams coordinator.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

• Jaguars hire former Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker at same position.
• Russ Purnell will be the special-teams coach.
• The Jaguars also filled three more spots on their assistant coaching staff by hiring Charlie Jackson as the defensive line assistant, Luke Richesson as strength coach and Johnny Cox as quality control coach.

Kansas City Chiefs:

• Kansas City has hired former NE Patriots vice president-player personnel Scott Pioli as new General Manager.
• The Chiefs have fired coach Herm Edwards after three seasons.
• (Update) Cardinals OC Todd Haley to become next Head Coach.
• Chiefs have fired tight ends coach Jon Embree.
• Chiefs have fired defensive assistant/assistant linebackers coach Michael Ketchum.
• Chiefs have fired running backs coach Curtis Modkins.
• Chiefs have fired offensive assistant Kevin Patullo.
• Chiefs have fired wide receivers coach Eric Price.
• Kansas City has decided to retain services of Chan Gailey.
• Kansas City has also hired Clancy Pendergast, Gary Gibbs, Bill Muir , Joel Collier, Pat Perles, Steve Hoffman and Dedric Ward to unnamed positions.
• Clancy Pendergast is named defensive coordinator.
• Gary Gibbs is named linebackers coach.

Miami Dolphins:

• Dolphins Offensive line coach Mike Maser has been fired.
• Former Giants Offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo has joined Dolphns staff in same capacity.

New England Patriots:

• Patriots promote Bill O'Brien to quarterbacks coach.
• Newly hired Toledo defensive line coach Patrick Graham resigns to take unnamed position with Patriots.
• Shane Waldron will coach tight ends.
• Jon Robinson director of college scouting.
• Monti Ossenfort a national scout.
• Chad O'Shea hired as receivers coach.
• Jason Licht hired as director of pro personnel

New Orleans Saints:

• Defensive Coordinator Gary Gibbs has been fired.
• Bill Johnson named Defensive Line Coach

NY Giants:

• After losing Spagnuolo to Rams Giants have promoted linebackers coach Bill Sheridan as new defensive coordinator.
• Giants have named former Jets assistant Jim Herrmann the linebackers coach.

NY Jets:

• Head Coach Eric Mangini is Fired after 3 Seasons.
• Jets have named former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan their new Head Coach.
• Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer signs extension with New York Jets.
• Henry Ellard hired as Wide recievers coach.
• Jeff O'Neill is new defensive quality control coach.
• Jeff Weeks hired as new defensive assistant.
• Jets have named Matt Cavanaugh quarterbacks coach.
• New coach Rex Ryan also hired John DeFilippo as assistant quarterbacks coach, and retained Ben Kotwica as assistant special teams coach and Brian Smith as quality control-defense

Oakland Raiders:

• Wide Recievers coach James Lofton has been fired.
• Sanjay Lal has been promoted as Wide recievers coach.
• The Raiders promoted John Fassel to special teams coach.
• The Raiders have hired two more assistants, Kelly Skipper named running backs coach and added Lionel Washington to coach defensive backs.
• The Raiders have finally removed the interim tag and installed Tom Cable as their new Head Coach.
• The Raiders hired former Cal coach Jim Michalczik to be their offensive line coach.

San Diego Chargers:

• The Chargers have fired 4 coaches, secondary coach Bill Bradley, tight ends coach Clancy Barone, offensive line coach Jack Henry and assistant secondary/quality control coach Kevin Ross.

San Francisco 49ers:

• No longer an Interim Head Coach, Mike Singletary signs 4 year extension.
• Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz is fired
• Quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner and running backs coach Tony Nathan have also been released.
• Former 49ers Fullback Tom Rathman has been hired as new running backs coach.

Seattle Seahawks:

• Greg Knapp is hired as new Offensive Coordinator.
• Casey "Gus" Bradley named Defensive Coordinator.
• Dan Quinn named Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach.
• Seahawks have named Tim Lewis their new secondary coach

St Louis Rams

• Rams have hired Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo as new Head Coach.
• The Rams have hired former Eagles QB Coach Pat Shurmur as their offensive coordinator.
• Rams have also hired former Panther linebackers coach Ken Flajole as the new defensive coordinator.
• Henry Ellard no longer wide recievers coach.
• Steve Spagnuolo confirmed Monday the hiring of 3 new coaches: Paul Ferraro on his defensive staff, and also announced the hiring of Dick Curl as assistant head coach-quarterbacks coach and Frank Leonard as an offensive assistant.
• Clayton Lopez was hired as a defensive assistant.
• Andy Sugarman was hired as quality control coach/offense.
• Derius Swinton was added as quality control coach/special teams.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

• Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin to leave Bucs for Job at University of Tennessee.
• DB Coach Raheem Morris is named defensive coordinator to replace Kiffin.
• Assistant Head Coach Larry Coyer has decided to leave team.
• Bucs re-hire Joe Barry as linebackers coach.
• Head Coach Jon Gruden has been fired after 7 season.
• GM Bruce Allen has been fired after 6 seasons.
• Recently named Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris becomes Bucs Head Coach.
• Pro personnel director Mark Dominik is promoted to General Manager.
• The house cleaning continues as 6 more assistant coaches are fired including offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Muir, defensive quality control coach Johnny Cox, defensive quality control coach Ejiro Evero, offensive assistant Coach Jay Gruden, head strength and conditioning Mike Morris and assistant offensive line coach George Yarno.
• Bucs hire Jim Bates as defensive coordinator.
• Bucs hire former Patriots' TE coach Pete Mangurian as O-line coach
• Former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski has joined Bucs as offensive coordinator.
• Bucs have hired Steve Logan from Boston College to coach the running backs.
• Bucs have hired Alfredo Roberts as their tight ends coach.
• Bucs have hired Chris Mosley assistant offensive line coach.

Tennessee Titans:

• Titans promoted former NFL safety Chuck Cecil from secondary coach to defensive coordinator
• Jeff Fisher has hired Rayna (ruh-NAY) Stewart as his defensive assistant for quality control.

Washington Redskins:

• Tight Ends coach Rennie Simmons has retired after 27 season as an NFL assistant including 18 with Washington.
• Redskins have hired Chip Garber as defensive quality control coach.

com,

Kansas City Chiefs new head coach Todd Haley has called on an old friend Clancy Pendergast, to fill the vacant defensive coordinator job. Pendegrast coached the defense for Arizona's run to last season's Super Bowl, while Haley ran the offense.

Pendergast had already been hired to the Chiefs' new staff, along with Gary Gibbs, who had been defensive coordinator at New Orleans. Gibbs, who worked with Pendergast at Dallas, will be in charge of linebackers in Kansas City. Until Friday, both coaches were on staff but positions were unnamed until today.

"Clancy was instrumental in the Arizona Cardinals' run at the end of last season that led to our appearance in the Super Bowl," Haley said. "The fact that we have experience working together along with Clancy's previous experience working with Gary Gibbs will be a big factor in our continuity as we move forward."

Smith Restructures in San Fran.

Alex Smith, the former number one overall pick of the 2005 draft has definitely not lived up to his draft status and the huge contract that accompanied such a spot. He was scheduled to make $24.6 million in the final two years of his rookie contract, a price that San Francisco was not willing to pay.

So in order to remain in San Francisco, Smith has agreed to restructure his contract, according to a source, Smith will make $4 million a season in 2009 and 2010, in addition to base salaries that weren't immediately made known.

"We have reached an agreement with Alex and his agent to keep him as a member of the San Francisco 49ers," general manager Scot McCloughan said in a statement. "Alex expressed a deep interest to remain with the team and that feeling was mutual."

Smith, a 4-year pro is only 24 years old, and received interest from several teams, most of whom were willing to pay more than the 49ers, but Smith insisted that he wanted to remain in San Fran.

"I don't measure myself in my contract in terms of what I'm making," said Smith, who missed most of the past two seasons because of shoulder injuries. "Having gone through what I've gone through the last couple of years, and being on the sideline, I guess I've got a different perspective on this game. When it came time to restructure the contract, it wasn't anything to do with ego. I just wanted the chance to compete."

His best season may have been in 2006, when he completed 257 of 442 passes for 2,890 yards, with 16 TD's while tossing 16 INT's. Smith has never really been given a chance to succeed because of the carousel at offensive coordinators, Smith has had a new one in each of his four seasons.

Texans Hire Hall of Famer

The Houston texans have hired Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews as an assistant offensive line coach.

The 47-year-old Matthews was a first-round pick by the Oilers in 1983. He appeared in 296 games, starting 292. He started at all five positions on the offensive line. Matthews was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Dockett Hit Hard By DC Firing

Arizona Cardinals defensive end, Darnell Dockett expressed his shock to the news that defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast had been fired after 5 season with the team.

"That hit me hard," Dockett said. "I guess everybody has their own issues. But I think Clancy did a good job. I guess people forgot about the positive things we did this season. I like Clancy a lot, he's a good person."

The only pro defensive coordinator that Dockett has ever played for, Pendergast lead the Cardinals defense to an up and down season, finishing with a surprisingly strong defensive playoff showing ending with an eventual loss in Super Bowl XLIII.

Pendergast Gets The Axe

Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has been released of his duties as defensive coordinator just one week after Arizona lost Super Bowl XLIII.

"Like every decision, it comes down to what's best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win," coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team.

Pedergast was one of the Dennis Green holdovers and was hired in 2004. An NFL coach since 1995 working with Houston (Oilers not Texans),Dallas and Cleveland. The Cardinals defense ranked 19th in the NFL in overall defense in the regular season, giving up 331.5 yards per game. They were 22nd in pass defense and 16th against the run.

"From a timing standpoint, we wanted to be fair to Clancy and give him a chance to seek the best possible opportunity in which to continue his career," Whisenhunt said. "In terms of filling the position, we have some people in mind both internally and externally and will begin that process immediately."

Colts Name Coyer as Coordinator

The Indianapolis Colts and new head coach Jim Caldwell have filled the void left by recently resigned Ron Meeks by hiring former Buccaneers assistant Larry Coyer, who's 44-year coaching tenure includes four seasons at Iowa, three of those when Caldwell played for the Hawkeyes and one in which Caldwell served as a graduate assistant.

Coyer spent seven seasons, four as defensive coordinator, with the Broncos before the working past two seasons as Tampa Bay's assistant head coach and overseeing the defensive line.

The Colts have also annouced the hiring of special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski. Caldwell also promoted receivers coach Clyde Christensen to assistant head coach.

Cardinal's Haley Heading to Chiefs

Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley has agreed to become the Kansas City Chiefs new head coach, in the worst kept secret in the NFL's coaching carousel. It was speculated almost immediately that after Shanahan was out of the running for head coach that Haley would be the Chiefs top choice.

A representative with the Fritz Pollard Alliance, an organization that promotes NFL teams providing equal opportunities to minority candidates, said the Chiefs complied with the league’s Rooney Rule, which requires a team to interview at least one minority candidate for its head coaching vacancy.

Haley, 42, gained prominence this season, his second as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator. Arizona advanced to the first Super Bowl in franchise history this season mainly on the strength of Haley’s offense.

(UPDATE) In a press conference at 2pm The Kansas City Chiefs officially announced Todd Haley as new head coach. he will reportedly be earning $12 Million over 4 years according to the Kansas City Star.

Haley will become the 11th coach in team history, replacing Herm Edwards who was fired last month.

"Having worked with Todd in New York from '97-99 and having been mentored by some of the same people, we have a shared vision of what it takes to build a successful franchise in the National Football League," Pioli said. "He will bring passion, dedication and energy to Kansas City, and I am confident that this is the beginning of a partnership that will serve the Chiefs well."

Bucs Hire Former BC OC

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired a familliar face for Jeff Jagodzinski, bring in his Boston College offensive coordinator Steve Logan.

It is still uncertain if Logan will coach Running Backs or Tight Ends in Tampa but is a good match for the Bucs considering his familliarity with Jagodzinski's offense.

In his first season as the Eagles' offensive coordinator, Logan tailored his attack to quarterback Matt Ryan, who set school records for touchdowns (31), completions (388) and yards (4,507).

Logan had plenty of success as the head coach at East Carolina from 1992-2002. He had been hosting a radio show in Raliegh, N.C., when Jagodzinski convinced him to join the Eagles two years ago.

Reeves Moves into Valley Ranch, Now Moving out?

The Dallas Cowboys have made no official announcement yet on the status of Dan Reeves and his consultant role with the team. But actions speak louder than words.

Sources within the building say that Reeves was at Valley Ranch on Monday and even has his own office, he was seen working from defensive line coach Todd Grantham's old desk. Grantham, meanwhile, has apparently moved into former defensive coordinator Brian Stewart's old office.

The Cowboys are still officially saying nothing. PR director Rich Dalrymple did not confirm anything and said he doesn't know when or if any announcement will be made.

UPDATE: As I reported earlier today Dan Reeves and the Dallas Cowboys re-uniting seemed like a done deal, it now appears there will be no deal. As reported by the Associated Press,

The team issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the Cowboys and Dan Reeves could not reach agreement on a consulting deal.

"We had two very good days of dialogue with Dan Reeves, and both the Cowboys and Dan had an interest in working together," Cowboys public relations director Rich Dalrymple said. "By Wednesday afternoon, we were unable to reach an agreement on all of the details of a contract, and both parties were comfortable with the fact that Dan would not be joining the organization."

Reeves had interviewed for the offensive coordinator position in San Francisco last month before coming to Dallas for the consulting job. Dallas seemed like a logical landing spot for Reeves who played and coached in Dallas previously. Reeves' son in law Joe DeCamillis, was also hired last month as the Cowboys' special-teams coach.

With Reeves no longer in Dallas and still interested in coaching he might now be on the Kansas City Chiefs' radar.

Fassell Returns to Coaching

Former Giants head coach Jim Fassell has had little luck finding a coaching gig in the NFL or CFL so has decided to take his skills to the newly formed United Football League.

Fassell has agreed to coach the UFL's Las Vegas team which is expected to kick off its innauguaral season this fall.

Raiders Install Cable...

The Oakland Raiders have finally made a decision on a head coach for the 2009 season, removing the interim tag from Tom Cables title and making him their 5th head coach since 2003.

It took over 5 weeks sincve the season ended for the Raiders to decide on a head coach and interviewed several candidates including NY Giants OC Kevin Gilbride and Green Bay Packers assistant head coach Winston Moss, bu in the end decided to stay in house and install Cable (I hope that it is not Comcast) the former Idaho head coach who joined the Raiders in 2007.

Now that the head coach decision has been made the Raiders have a ton of other coaching positions to fill as several key coaches have left this off-season for greener pastures, including defensive coordinator Rob Ryan (Cleveland), offensive coordinator Greg Knapp (Seattle), special teams coordinator Brian Schneider (Southern California), running backs coach Tom Rathman (San Francisco) and linebackers coach Don Martindale (Denver).

Cable follows Bill Callahan (2002-03), Turner (2004-05), Art Shell (2006) and Kiffin (2007-08) in charge of the Raiders, who haven't had a winning season since Callahan led Oakland to the Super Bowl in his first season after replacing Jon Gruden.

Bucs Tag Jagz as New OC

Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski as their new offensive coordinator. Jagodzinski became available when he was fired from Boston College 3 weeks ago for interviwing for a head coaching position in the NFL.

Jagodzinski led Boston College to a pair of bowl appearances and lost twice to Virginia Tech in the ACC title game during his brief stay with the Eagles, where he was responsible for developping 2008 1st rounders Gosder Cherilus and Rookie of the Year QB Matt Ryan.

Jagodzinski has several years of NFL coaching experience including stops in Green Bay and Atlanta.

Glazers Got Help From Fans Regarding Gruden Firing

Buccaneers executive vice president Bryan Glazer said today the the fans played an important role in their decision to fire head coach Jon Gruden on January 16th, following an epic collapse to end the season.

"Our fans are our stockholders. They're what we play for every week. They're the people in our stadium and who watch on TV," Glazer said during an impromptu interview at the media headquarters for the Super Bowl. "This is what it's all about – winning, and how they feel about the team. If they don't feel good at the team, something's wrong." He added, "Not to speak for the fans, but I think you all know the sense that was out there. It was time for a change."

So far, this change has been met with mostly positive responses, RB Earnest Graham's face reportedly lit up when asked about the coaching change. Quarterback Jeff Garcia admitted that being Jon Gruden's quarterback was difficult and that there were times the recently fired Bucs coach "rubbed me wrong."

The Buccaneers are am estimated $45Million under the salary cap and are commited to spending it to bring the team back to an elite level.

Reeves Discussing Consultant Role with Cowboys

Former NFL head coach Dan Reeves, 65, is in discussion with Jerry Jones about joining the Cowboys in a consultant type role. Reeves' Dallas roots run deep, he was a former Cowboys player (1965 - '72) and an assistant under Tom Landry (1972 - '80). Reeves has also worked with Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips in both Denver and Atlanta.

Joe DeCamillis, who is married to Reeves' oldest daughter, Dana, was recently hired by the Cowboys as special teams coach. DeCamillis worked on Reeves' staffs with the New York Giants and the Falcons.

According to ESPN:

"Reeves recently interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers about the offensive
coordinator's job but a 49ers source said Monday that Reeves informed them he
likely would be taking a consultant position with the Cowboys. Reeves could not
be reached for comment. A Cowboys spokesman said he had no information about
Reeves joining the organization."

Ravens Promote Mattison to D-Coordinator

The Ravens have promoted LB's coach Greg Mattison to defensive coordinator in an attempt to keep some continuity in a unit that has excelled under former D.C. Rex Ryan. Mattison will inherit a fierce unit that ranked 2nd in the NFL this past season. He plans on using the same type of attacking defense used by Ryan.

Mattison, 59, has only 1 year of NFL experience, but has been the defensive coordinator in several college programs including Michigan, Notre Dame and Florida.

"Greg is a guy that I have full trust and belief in, and not just because of his track record," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He's been successful at every stop, but the job he did this year with our guys, I think he established himself as a premier coach in the NFL. If you talk to our players, they'll tell you the same thing."

Browns Hire GM

The Cleveland Browns have hired former Baltimore pro personnel director George Kokinis as their General Manager, reuniting him with new Browns head coach and close friend and former roommate Eric Mangini.
Mangini and Kokinis shared an apartment together in 1991 when the two worked, ironically, for the Cleveland Browns. Owner Randy Lerner decided to hire friends this time around as the Head Coach/GM team after seeing the dysfunctional relationship between Romeo Crenell and Phil Savage.

"The Browns are excited to bring George back to Cleveland where he began his NFL career," Lerner said in a team release. "He is a tireless worker that has spent his entire career evaluating talent and knows the type of player it takes to be successful in this league and in our division."

One of the first evaluations of talent facing the Mangini-Kokinis team will be what do with quarterback Derek Anderson, who was benched midway through the season for Brady Quinn. Anderson is owed a $5 million roster bonus in March. If he is deemed expendable, the Browns could trade him for draft picks. Savage dealt several 2009 picks, leaving the Browns with only four selections in this April's draft.

49ers to interview NFL Icon

It has become common in the NFL for teams to hire a young up and coming position coach to be their next coordinator, and even sometimes the head coach. The San Francisco 49ers are doing the exact opposite, Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Reeves, who has been out of football since 2003 will be in San Fran for an interview regarding the offensive coordinator position. For the full story click here.

Dolphins sale to be official.

Wayne Huizenga has agreed to complete the sale to Stephen Ross in a deal that would give Ross 95 percent ownership in the franchise and leave Huizenga with 5 percent. For the full story Click Here.