'Pretty Good News': Jets To Consider Marrone For Head Coaching Vacancy
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Doug Marrone is a Bronx native, familiar with the inner workings of the New York Jets having served four years as offensive line coach under Herm Edwards.
So when Marrone opted out of his deal with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, he instantly became a candidate -- if not the top candidate -- for Gang Green's head coaching vacancy.
Jets owner Woody Johnson did little to tone down that speculation, saying the sudden availability of Marrone was "pretty good news."
"I just found out Doug Marrone is available. We will look at him," Johnson told the New York Daily News. "He is a coach who was with us. And I know him a little bit."
Johnson told the newspaper he was "shocked" that Marrone, after leading Buffalo (9-7) to its best finish since 2004, was on the market.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Doug, and I have good memories of him," said Johnson, who fired coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik on Monday.
Marrone's stint with the Jets ran from 2002-05. He was hired to lead New Orleans' offense in 2006 and left to become the head coach at Syracuse, his alma mater, in 2009, going 25-25 in four seasons with the Orange.
The 50-year-old bolted Buffalo after just two seasons and a 15-17 record as the Bills' head coach.
He went 3-1 against Ryan and the Jets.
But Marrone in the running wasn't seen as a positive by all fans -- or reportedly by some in Florham Park. Or even those who cover the Jets:
Jets source on possibility of hiring Doug Marrone: "You got rid of Rex Ryan for this?" ... Pretty strong sentiment. #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) December 31, 2014
Doug Marrone? Give. Me. A. Break. #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaSports) January 1, 2015
In the last 2 yrs Doug Marrone quit on Syracuse, my alma matter and his alma mater, and now the Bills. He's a man who makes commitment.
— Gary Myers (@GaryMyersNY) January 1, 2015
If it was up to me -- and maybe it should be -- I would rather have Rex than Doug Marrone.
— Gary Myers (@GaryMyersNY) January 1, 2015
The Jets' brain trust -- Johnson and his two consultants, NFL lifers Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf -- will head to Seattle to interview Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and assistant head coach Tom Cable for the job before the week is through. The team has reportedly also requested interviews with Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich. They have already interviewed their own running backs coach, Anthony Lynn.
Johnson, Casserly and Wolf are scheduled to talk to Seahawks pro personnel director Trent Kirchner about the general manager job. Other potential GM candidates include: Eagles director of pro personnel Rick Mueller; Texans college scouting director Mike Maccagnan; Browns executive chief of staff Bill Kuharich; Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta; and their current director of football operations, Rod Graves. Vikings assistant GM George Paton turned down their request for an interview.
Mueller and Marrone are linked from their time in New Orleans.
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