Bucs QB coach on outs; Kiffin no closer to deal
By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
Published January 18, 2008
TAMPA - It appeared Thursday the Bucs will have another quarterbacks coach next season.
Paul Hackett, responsible for a revolving door of passers the past three seasons, still does not have a contract and might not accompany the staff to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bucs appear no closer to re-signing defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. Kiffin, 67, was among the league's top-paid coordinators last season, at about $1.7-million. But Thursday, the Cowboys re-signed offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to a deal worth $3-million per year.
It's believed the Bucs have offered Kiffin less than what he made last season, leaving the two sides considerably apart.
Assistant defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake was scheduled to interview with the Lions on Thursday. Coach Rod Marinelli has an opening for a defensive backs coach.
But don't expect Kiffin to wind up in Detroit, where former Bucs linebackers coach Joe Barry is the defensive coordinator.
"I love Monte to death," Marinelli said. "I've got the right coordinator. I've got the right guys in place here I feel really good about."
One coach who does not appear headed to Tampa Bay is ex-Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, who interviewed with the Jets two weeks ago. Callahan was an assistant under Jon Gruden in Oakland for four seasons.
Assistant spurns two to stay with Cowboys
IRVING, Texas - After interviewing for the Ravens' and Falcons' coaching vacancies, Jason Garrett decided to remain the Cowboys offensive coordinator.
"They weren't exercises," said Garrett, also promoted to assistant head coach. "They were great opportunities. This decision ... has a lot more to do with the Dallas Cowboys in 2007 and what the Dallas Cowboys can be in 2008."
Asked if he was promised he would replace current coach Wade Phillips, Garrett said only, "No."
League rules prevent owner Jerry Jones from naming Garrett as Phillips' heir. But he hired Garrett before Phillips last year. And when Garrett, 41, returned to Dallas, he talked to Jones.
In the regular season, the Cowboys averaged the league's second-most points, third-most yards and fourth-most passing yards.
"We didn't achieve all of our goals," Garrett said. "But we're heading in the right direction. When (wife) Brill and I looked at each other, we said, 'Boy, we have a great chance here in Dallas.'"
Eagles: Britt Reid, 22, the son of coach Andy Reid who is already serving 8-23 months in jail on a road-rage charge, pleaded guilty to DUI and drug charges stemming from a separate incident in August. Reid was out on bail when he drove into a shopping cart in a parking lot. Sentencing has not been scheduled.
Titans: Mike Heimerdinger returned as offensive coordinator, replacing the fired Norm Chow. He was the team's offensive coordinator from 2000-04 before spending two seasons as assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach in Denver.
Seahawks: Running back Shaun Alexander had surgery for the left wrist he broke in Week 1, the team said. He wore a cast while rushing for 716 yards, his fewest since he was a rookie in 2000. The teamexpects him to be ready for training camp.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.