Archives for January 2004

‘LeBeau, a former Ohio State star who’s been in the NFL 31 years as player or coach, wants the chance to call his own plays as a coordinator. Ironically, LeBeau may be a candidate in Buffalo if the Bills hire Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as their new head coach. Or LeBeau may return to Pittsburgh, where the job is apparently his if he wants it. “I had input but I really didn’t call the game,” LeBeau said of his duties in Buffalo. “That’s the part I missed the most. So I think this would be a better situation (in Pittsburgh).”‘

‘Is he just what the Buffalo Bills need? It looks like Bills fans may get to find out, because Mike Mularkey is close to a deal that would make him the Bills’ new head coach.’

‘It’s believed Mularkey will try to retain Bills assistant head coach Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator. LeBeau interviewed for the defensive coordinator post in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. If LeBeau stays in Buffalo as defensive coordinator, that would leave no room for Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. However, if Gray were not retained by Buffalo, he may be a candidate for another defensive coordinator job in the NFL.’

‘This does not mean Mularkey is another Gregg Williams – a great interview who went bust, a strong assistant who rose to his level of incompetence. But fans in this town have every right to be wary of the man who appears to be Tom Donahoe’s latest hire. Having suffered through three years of Williams, they’re not about to give knee-jerk approval to an unproven coach.’

‘Attended the University of Florida and finished Gators career with 55 receptions. Has dual bachelor of science degree in kinesiology/sociology from University of Minnesota.’

‘People close to Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. say he has no interest in moving the team under his ownership, and Bills officials suggest they’re looking at a long-term partnership with Western New York.’

‘Mularkey started coaching in Tampa Bay after a nine-year career as a tight end. The Atlanta Falcons interviewed Mularkey last week before hiring Jim Mora Jr.’

‘”It’s close, but there’s nothing I can talk about now,” said Mularkey, reached at his Pittsburgh-area home Tuesday night. “I feel I’d like to keep my word to the people who have entrusted me. I will talk at the right time.”‘

‘Ex-Bills coach Gregg Williams, now the defensive coordinator in Washington, would like to hire most of his old assistants, but Buffalo president and general manager Tom Donahoe wants his new coach to have the opportunity to pick who stays.’

‘Mularkey wants LeBeau to stay in Buffalo as his defensive coordinator and would like to hire Steelers tight ends coach Ken Whisenhunt or quarterbacks coach Tom Clements as his offensive coordinator.’

‘The ripple effect of Mularkey’s hiring by the Bills will be felt in Pittsburgh where Steelers coach Bill Cowher already must replace fired defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and wide receivers coach Kenny Jackson. Mularkey may fill his coordinator positions with Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements (offense) and Bills assistant head coach Dick LeBeau (defense). LeBeau, who was the Steelers’ defensive coordinator when they went to Super Bowl XXX after the 1995 season, met with Cowher yesterday about replacing Lewis.’

‘The NFL Coaches Association recently sent a letter to Bills owner Ralph Wilson and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue asking the club to release coaches or guarantee their return. The Bills are apparently waiting to see if Williams’s replacement wants to retain his former staff members. Tagliabue doesn’t intend to get involved, according to Greg Aiello, the NFL’s vice president of public relations. “The coaches are under contract to the club,” Aiello said yesterday. “It’s not a league issue.”‘

‘A published report mentioned the NFL Coaches Association sending a letter to the Bills regarding their blocked assistants. NFLCA executive director Larry Kennan said the letter is standard operating procedure; this year it also was sent to the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders, two other teams waiting for head coaches and not allowing assistants to interview elsewhere. The NFLCA’s primary goal, Kennan said, is to alter current rules regarding benefits for coaches. If a coach is fired, he receives his salary for the remainder of his contract but does not receive medical benefits or accrue years toward his pension.’

‘”I coordinated last year, but not completely. I think this would be a better situation,” LeBeau told reporters at Steelers headquarters Tuesday. “I didn’t call the game. I had input but didn’t really call the game. That’s the part of the game that I missed.”‘