Martz interviews for Raiders HC job

Raiders interview former Rams coach Martz
- Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, January 26, 2006


The Raiders interviewed former Rams coach Mike Martz for about 3½ hours on Thursday in Alameda, making him the fourth candidate to formally interview for the team's head coaching vacancy.
While the Raiders still plan to interview Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt immediately after Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5 -- the team is barred from speaking to him prior to that -- owner Al Davis and senior personnel man Michael Lombardi spent much of Thursday afternoon discussing offensive strategy and personnel matters with Martz.
Reached by phone, Lombardi confirmed the interview. "It was a 'get to know you' meeting, that is all," Lombardi said.
Earlier this week, Davis also spoke with Raiders quarterbacks coach John Shoop, but the meeting was more of a discussion of the offense and a possible doorway into an offensive coordinator promotion rather than a head coaching interview.
The interview with Martz, 54, was somewhat surprising. Earlier this month, Davis said he would rule out the former Rams coach because of health concerns. St. Louis was 2-3 last season when Martz was sidelined with an infection of the heart lining. He was fired at the end of the season but received a settlement for the remaining $3.25 million owed for the final year of his contract.
"Mike has always been of interest because he is dynamic. He is not afraid," Davis said on Jan. 3, the day Norv Turner was fired. "But, there is a fear right there, right now, of physical (limitations). I don't know if we are ready to accept that."
Martz's appearance in Alameda on Thursday was to assure Davis that he is healthy again, an NFL source said.
The team currently has no plans to interview former New York Giants coach and Raiders assistant Jim Fassel, who is currently the Ravens offensive coordinator. In addition to Martz, the Raiders brought three other candidates to Alameda: Former Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who was hired in the same capacity by the Redskins; Chargers wide receivers coach James Lofton; and former Buccaneers defensive assistant Rod Marinelli, who was hired as the Lions head head coach.

At the rate his propects are falling by the wayside, Al Davis may have no alternative other than Mad Mike. Besides, the misfit, maligned, unorthodox and outcast have always been welcome by the Faiders as have the wide open offense and the long ball. If this somehow does happen, I would have to wish Mike nothing but failure as the Faider line is one I will never cross.

That's a very good fit, a very good fit. I hope he gets it.

It's probably between Martz and Wisenhunt now. I don't think that anyone in their right mind should ever work under Davis. That guy is really out there....

martz would turn the underacheiving raiders O into a juggernaut, Id love to see him ther

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Al Davis may have no alternative other than Mad Mike

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You can say what you want about Davis, but rest assured he knows football. Whomever he decides on as his head coach, it won't be because he's settling for the leftovers. He will get whomever he wants.

If only we had an owner with a clue. I'd trade Georgia for Davis in a heart-with-an-infected-lining-beat.

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Originally Posted by Yodude

You can say what you want about Davis, but rest assured he knows football. Whomever he decides on as his head coach, it won't be because he's settling for the leftovers. He will get whomever he wants.

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Well, if Davis wants Saunders or Marinelli, he may be in for rude awakening.