Football - Defensive Coach Rob Ryan Interviewed For

Rob Ryan, Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator was interviewed for the position of head coach at the Raiders.

Other candidates interviewed were form New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and Southern California quarterbacks coach Steve Sarkisian. Ryan is the only defensive coach to be interviewed so far. These interviews are taking place on account of Art Shell being fired.
Rob Ryan is the son of former Philadelphia and Arizona coach Buddy Ryan. Rob Ryan was the coordinator of the NFL’s third ranked defense. While Oakland’s offense has struggled the entire season scoring only 12 touchdowns, the defense has been wonderful. This is Ryan’s third season as coordinator with Oakland and the Raiders allowed the fewest yards passing in NFL and were able to stay close even when the offense could not move the ball.
Ryan is extremely popular with the defensive players and many of them have advocated him for head coaching position. Ryan helped develop Derrick Burgess into two time Pro Bowl defensive end, Nnamdi Asomugha into NFL’s top cornerbacks and young linebackers Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard into solid NFL starters.
However, Oakland has usually gone for coaches who are more inclined to offense. The last time a defensive coach was hired was way back in 1969 when John Madden, a linebackers coach, was promoted.
Raiders have interviewed other candidates besides Ryan. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz might be brought in for an interview. This would be the second successive year for Martz who interviewed last year too. Raiders also have plans to talk to at least one or two minority coaches.
Raiders have already interviewed March Trestman for the offensive coordinator’s position. Trestman was an assistant at Oakland from 2001 to 2003. He was an offensive coordinator at North Carolina State last season before losing his job on account of head coach Chuck Amato being fired.