Two Bills Drive

‘Meanwhile, Fassel’s failure in Buffalo could end up costing Coughlin a valuable assistant. Coughlin wants to name Chicago Bears coach Dick Jauron his assistant head coach with the Giants. But Jauron is believed to be the leading candidate to coach the Bills, who are also considering Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.’

‘The Bills can hire Jauron and Mularkey anytime, but Weis is unavailable until the Patriots are out of the playoffs. Since the Bills haven’t made any decisions yet about a head coach, speculation continues to mount that they are waiting for Weis and the Patriots to wrap up their playoff run.’

‘Donahoe has said he wanted a man with previous head coaching experience after swinging and missing on Gregg Williams, whom the Bills fired on Dec. 29 after a 17-31 record and no playoff appearances in three seasons. That would seem to indicate Jauron was in the driver’s seat. However, with the quarterback problems in Buffalo, it is believed the Bills would like to hire an offensive mind — and Mularkey is believed to have the inside track, especially if the Patriots beat the Colts in the AFC title game, which would tie up Weis for another two weeks.’

‘”Recognition of the passing game, stopping the pass, defensing the pass. Coach Don Blackmon has really helped me to better understand the passing game.”‘

‘The Steelers could be seeking two coordinators if offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is chosen as the Bills’ next head coach. Mularkey interviewed last week in Buffalo and was awaiting word Monday whether he would be hired. Mularkey turned down a chance to meet with the Raiders about succeeding coach Bill Callahan, a decision that apparently wasn’t related to his pursuit of the Bills’ job.’

‘Chad Kelly of Grand Island, a nephew of Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, was the winner in the boys 8-9 division in the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick national finals.’

‘Williams is Gibbs’s only defensive coach because Gibbs has been stifled by NFL rules that bar a team from interviewing an assistant under contract without receiving permission. Williams, the head coach of the Buffalo Bills the past three seasons, has wanted to hire a slew of his former assistants. He has received permission to interview Bills special teams coach Danny Smith and safeties/ third-down coach Steve Jackson. The Redskins are expected to hire them both this week.’

‘It doesn’t appear Buffalo Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak has interest in the job. Jones said he hasn’t called to accept the team’s offer for an interview.’

‘Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is one of seven candidates to become the next head coach of the Bills. But Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe said last night that he and owner Ralph Wilson are reviewing information and don’t expect to make an announcement today.’

‘Also on Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey withdrew his name from consideration for the Raiders’ job, which came as no surprise. Raiders insiders expect Mularkey to be named the Buffalo Bills’ head coach today and he was never considered to be a serious candidate in Oakland.’

‘Wade Phillips, Atlanta’s defensive coordinator, also has contacted the Raiders through intermediaries to let them know of his interest in the job. Phillips became interim head coach when Dan Reeves was fired by the Falcons before the end of the regular season.’

‘The three likeliest choices to succeed Gregg Williams still appear to be former Chicago head coach Dick Jauron, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.’

‘Personally, I’d take a 78-years-young Marv Levy above all the candidates interviewed so far. If the Washington Redskins can rehire their own re-energized Pro Football Hall of Fame coach in Joe Gibbs, why not Buffalo?’

‘Tom Donahoe has promised a thorough search, which bodes well for both New England coordinators, who are among seven candidates.’

‘Bledsoe has always been a flexible guy, however, and probably could coexist with Weis. But why would the Bills go in that direction when Jauron and Mularkey are available?’