Rivera Might Get His Chance, After All
MIAMI--It appeared a few days ago that Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera had been shut out of the head coaching mix during this hiring cycle. The only team with a head coaching vacancy was the Dallas Cowboys and they seemed likely to hire their coach before owner Jerry Jones traveled here today for the Super Bowl.
But Jones indicated Wednesday that he would wait until next week to hire his coach. That puts Rivera, and perhaps Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, back in the running. Jones could interview them to go with a list of candidates that already includes newly hired Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner, 49ers linebackers coach Mike Singletary and defensive coordinators Wade Phillips of the San Diego Chargers and Gary Gibbs of the New Orleans Saints.
Rivera perhaps could be a candidate to be the Cowboys' defensive coordinator even if he's not hired as their head coach. Rivera's contract with the Bears reportedly is expiring and Turner is said to have told Jones that he might like to hire Rivera as his defensive coordinator if Jones opts to hire Turner as the head coach.
Turner has been viewed as the front-runner but people around the league are saying that Turner is seeking more power--in terms of control over hiring his assistants and over player-related decisions--than Jones expected. Turner had problems with one diva of a wide receiver (Michael Westbrook) when he was the head coach of the Washington Redskins and with another (Randy Moss) when he was the head coach of the Oakland Raiders. He might not want to deal with yet another (Terrell Owens) in Dallas. The problem is, Jones already has made it clear that he wants Owens back for a second season with the Cowboys.
By Mark Maske |
February 1, 2007; 10:19 AM ET
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