The Oakland Raiders named Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio as their head coach on Wednesday, sources told The Sports Xchange.
The other finalist for the job was Tony Sparano, who was the interim coach for the final 12 games of the season.
ESPN reported earlier that Del Rio interviewed Tuesday night with owner Mark Davis, general manager Reggie McKenzie and former Raiders coach and Hall of Famer John Madden.
According to The Sports Xchange, Del Rio also interviewed for several hours earlier Tuesday. Madden sat in with Davis and McKenzie, but he was not involved in the final decision.
The 51-year-old Del Rio was free to talk with any team after Denver’s 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in last Sunday’s divisional playoff game. He served as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator for three years.
Del Rio, who grew up in the Bay Area, was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2011, compiling a 68-71 record while twice guiding the team to the playoffs. He also served as interim coach of the Broncos in 2013 when then-head coach John Fox had health issues.
The Broncos finished No. 3 in total defense this season. In 2012, Del Rio’s first season with the Broncos, they were No. 2 in overall defense and tied for the league lead in sacks.
Other candidates for the Raiders’ job included former New York Jets and Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and former Raiders, Broncos and Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan.
Bowles gets head start with Jets
The New York Jets have yet to officially announce the hiring of Todd Bowles as their new head coach, but it appears that he’s already putting together a staff.
According to ESPN.com, Bowles was seeking Miami Dolphins defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers to be his defensive coordinator.
The 45-year-old Rodgers has worked for the Dolphins since 2008 but before that was a member of Bill Parcells’ Dallas Cowboys coaching staff along with Bowles.
Other media reports have identified well-traveled Chan Gailey as Bowles’ top choice for offensive coordinator.
Multiple media outlets reported Tuesday night that Bowles, the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator, agreed to replace Rex Ryan as the Jets’ head coach. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Bowles is receiving a four-year contract.
Bowles, 51, spent two years guiding the Arizona defense. Before that, he was the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2012. He had a stint as the Dolphins’ interim coach in 2011, winning two of three games after stepping up from his duties as secondary coach.
Previously, Bowles worked on the coaching staffs of the Jets (defensive backs coach in 2000), Cleveland Browns and Cowboys.
A safety in the NFL from 1986 to 1993, Bowles played for the Washington Redskins and the 49ers after being undrafted out of Temple.
Tomsula to be 49ers’ head coach
The San Francisco 49ers stayed in-house for their next head coach and elevated Jim Tomsula from defensive line coach, ESPN reported Wednesday.
Contract details were still being worked out with Tomsula, according to the report.
Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase was thought to be the other leading contender for the 49ers’ head coaching job.
The 46-year-old Tomsula, who has served as San Francisco’s defensive line coach for the past eight years, will take the job vacated by Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh left the 49ers after an 8-8 record in 2014 to become the new head coach at Michigan. In the previous three seasons in San Francisco, Harbaugh guided the Niners to three NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl appearance.
In addition to the defensive line duties with the 49ers, Tomsula took over as the team’s interim coach for the final game of the 2010 season after Mike Singletary was fired as head coach.
Tomsula’s NFL experience is solely with the 49ers. He joined the team after working for the Rhein Fire of the former NFL Europe league. He was the Fire’s head coach for one season.