Raiders owner Al Davis plans to speak with linebackers coach Don Martindale today to gauge his interest in returning to the Raiders as defensive coordinator.
Martindale has multiple options right now that include going to Cleveland or Denver. But both of those teams already have defensive coordinators, so Martindale might be willing to wait to see how things turn out with the Raiders if it means a chance to run a defense.
Martindale is popular amongst players and his peers at team headquarters and helped develop the talents of Thomas Howard and Kirk Morrison.
*John Fassel has been promoted to special teams coordinator. He was the assistant special teams coach under Brian Schneider last season.
Fassel is the son of Jim Fassel, who has expressed interest in coaching the Raiders and could be someone Davis interviews in the coming day.
*Defensive backs coach Darren Perry and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo have also spoken with Davis about returning next season in some role. Tight ends coach Kelly Skipper is still working at the team facility and is a strong candidate to be back next season. I'm not sure what's up with defensive line coach Keith Millard yet.
The only coach under contract is Lionel Washington.
*Davis would like to interview one or two more candidates before deciding on a head coach, said senior executive John Herrera. Even if Tom Cable gets the job, that's the right thing to do.
*So you want to know if Jon Gruden could be one of those candidates? Never say never, but while we're looking at things that would probably never happen, how's this for part of the staff:
Gruden: Head coach
Mike Shanahan: Offensive coordinator
Bill Callahan: Offensive line coach
Marcus Allen: Running backs coach
Marty Schottenheimer: Defensive coordinator
Chris Mortensen: Public relations director
--Jason Jones








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