This should be the week.
Within the next days, or certainly by the end of the week, Raiders fans should finally know who the team’s next head coach will be -- or know who it won’t be.
To date, the only candidate reported to have a second interview is Tony Sparano, the team’s interim head coach this past season after Dennis Allen was fired.
But with the ouster of the Broncos from the playoffs, Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio may also be getting a second interview.
Adam Schefter of ESPN tweeted after the Broncos’ loss that “Oakland is expected to try to meet again with Broncos DC Jack Del Rio for a second interview, per source.”
That follows reports that Raiders owner Mar Davis loved Del Rio after their first interview in the week following the end of the regular season. On Jan. 10, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote about Davis’ fondness for Del Rio as a candidate, but wrote: “The question becomes whether Davis will wait for Del Rio … who may not be available to be plucked away from the Broncos for three more weeks.”
But with the Broncos now eliminated before the AFC Championship Game, Del Rio’s available.
Sports
If Davis and his braintrust – including GM Reggie McKenzie and former head coach John Madden, a trusted adviser – can set up an interview with Del Rio quickly, Oakland should then be able to finally make a decision: Sparano or Del Rio. Because that certainly seems the way it’s headed, even though several other candidates have been interviewed.
Del Rio, an East Bay native, has extensive experience as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for nine seasons, while also serving as an assistant or coordinator with the Saints, Ravens, Panthers and Broncos.
At Jacksonville, the Jags were 68-71 with three winning seasons – including 12-4 in 2005 and 11-5 in 2007 – and 1-2 in the playoffs.
As a defensive coordinator for three seasons, his units have ranked second (with the Panthers in 2002) and 19th and third (in 2013 and 2014 with the Broncos).
If this week ends with Davis and McKenzie still without a head coach, it would seem obvious that Sparano and Del Rio are off the list. The only reason to wait is to select a candidate still active in the playoffs. That would mean Seahawks defensive coordinator Darrell Bevell or Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.
