Jets' Schottenheimer in play for top spot with Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have requested permission to interview New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer along with two other assistant coaches, according to various team and league sources.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum confirmed the request.
Schottenheimer has been the Jets' offensive coordinator for the past six years and built the league's top-ranked rushing attack in 2009 and second best in 2010. Schottenheimer signed a contract extension through the 2012 season in the offseason.
Jets coach Rex Ryan said he believes there is a 50 percent chance Schottenheimer returns with the Jets next season, citing his offensive coordinator's readiness to be a head coach in the NFL.
A league source also said the Jaguars have requested an interview with Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Chudzinksi has emerged as one of the hottest coaching candidates this offseason because of his work turning the Panthers from the league's worst offense in 2010 to the No. 5 scoring unit this season.
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is the third coach the Jags have requested to speak to, according to a team source.
Falcons head coach Mike Smith confirmed that the team has "signed off and granted that opportunity" to interview with the Jags. He said Mularkey's "sole focus" this week is on Sunday's playoff game at the New York Giants.
Mularkey's son, Patrick Mularkey, is a Jaguars scout.
Interim coach Mel Tucker also is a candidate to keep the position, and he is interviewing for it as well. Tucker took over for Jack Del Rio on Nov. 29 and went 2-3 with the Jaguars.
More candidates will be contacted this week.
Mularkey went 14-18 in two seasons as head coach with Buffalo (2004-05). He has been Atlanta's offensive coordinator since 2008, helping mentor quarterback Matt Ryan. That could help his chances in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars are trying to get more out of rookie Blaine Gabbert.
Mularkey interviewed with Tennessee and Cleveland last season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...-spot-with-jaguars?module=HP11_headline_stack
The Jacksonville Jaguars have requested permission to interview New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer along with two other assistant coaches, according to various team and league sources.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum confirmed the request.
Schottenheimer has been the Jets' offensive coordinator for the past six years and built the league's top-ranked rushing attack in 2009 and second best in 2010. Schottenheimer signed a contract extension through the 2012 season in the offseason.
Jets coach Rex Ryan said he believes there is a 50 percent chance Schottenheimer returns with the Jets next season, citing his offensive coordinator's readiness to be a head coach in the NFL.
A league source also said the Jaguars have requested an interview with Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Chudzinksi has emerged as one of the hottest coaching candidates this offseason because of his work turning the Panthers from the league's worst offense in 2010 to the No. 5 scoring unit this season.
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is the third coach the Jags have requested to speak to, according to a team source.
Falcons head coach Mike Smith confirmed that the team has "signed off and granted that opportunity" to interview with the Jags. He said Mularkey's "sole focus" this week is on Sunday's playoff game at the New York Giants.
Mularkey's son, Patrick Mularkey, is a Jaguars scout.
Interim coach Mel Tucker also is a candidate to keep the position, and he is interviewing for it as well. Tucker took over for Jack Del Rio on Nov. 29 and went 2-3 with the Jaguars.
More candidates will be contacted this week.
Mularkey went 14-18 in two seasons as head coach with Buffalo (2004-05). He has been Atlanta's offensive coordinator since 2008, helping mentor quarterback Matt Ryan. That could help his chances in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars are trying to get more out of rookie Blaine Gabbert.
Mularkey interviewed with Tennessee and Cleveland last season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...-spot-with-jaguars?module=HP11_headline_stack
