WP:Redskins' Jackson Interviews at Duke

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14372-2003Nov25.html

Redskins' Jackson Interviews at Duke

By Mark Maske

Washington Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 26, 2003; Page D01

Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Hue Jackson interviewed yesterday for the head coaching job at Duke University, sources close to the situation said.

George Edwards, left, became the Redskins' fifth defensive coordinator in five seasons when he was elevated from linebackers coach in January.

George Edwards, the Redskins' defensive coordinator and a former Duke player, also has expressed interest in the job but it is unclear whether school officials will interview him, according to sources. Edwards appears in danger of being demoted or dismissed by the Redskins following this season.

Jackson did not return a telephone message last night. It was not clear whether he will be offered the Duke job. The school fired Carl Franks on Oct. 19 and named defensive coordinator Ted Roof its interim coach for the remainder of the season. Franks was in his fifth season at Duke and had a record of 7-45. He is close to Redskins Coach Steve Spurrier, who coached at Duke between 1987 and '89, and recently spent several days at Redskins Park visiting Spurrier.

Spurrier said during an interview last month that he was contacted by a former associate at Duke and was asked about potential coaching candidates for the school. He said he also was asked half-jokingly whether he'd be interested in the job. He indicated during the interview that he told the former associate that he was not interested in returning to college coaching.

Former Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer hired Jackson, formerly the offensive coordinator at the University of Southern California, in 2001 to serve as the club's running backs coach. Spurrier retained Jackson for that job last season, then announced late in the season that he was promoting Jackson to offensive coordinator this season. Spurrier said initially that he would remain the team's primary offensive play-caller, but he handed those duties to Jackson for two games this month.

Jackson called the plays for the Redskins' 27-20 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 9 at FedEx Field and for their 20-17 loss at Carolina a week later. He earned praise for balancing the club's running and passing plays and focusing on protecting quarterback Patrick Ramsey.

Jackson also took an active role last offseason in helping Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, the club's vice president of football operations, to recruit free agent players. Jackson spent 14 years as a college assistant coach, with stints at USC, California, Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton and Pacific.

This marks the second straight year that a Redskins assistant has interviewed during the season for a college head coaching job. Former defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis nearly took the Michigan State job last season but, after several days of wavering, rejected the school's offer and finished the season with the Redskins. He was hired as the Cincinnati Bengals' head coach in January.

Spurrier has been linked to several potential college coaching vacancies but has said repeatedly that he intends to remain with the Redskins at least through next season. It appears increasingly likely, however, that there will be significant changes to his coaching staff.

The Redskins likely would pursue a highly experienced coach to take over as their defensive coordinator if Spurrier decides following this season not to retain Edwards, who played for Spurrier at Duke and coached for him at the University of Florida. Their list of candidates probably would include current head coaches around the league, like Buffalo's Gregg Williams, whose jobs are in jeopardy.

There also would be a strong push from within the organization for the club to rehire Russ Grimm as its offensive line coach if Spurrier does not retain Kim Helton, sources said. Grimm is with the Pittsburgh Steelers but could be available in the offseason.

Edwards will have to use the season's remaining five games to build a case that he deserves to stay. Spurrier defended his assistant coaches on Monday, saying that he would accept the blame for the club's disappointing season. But Spurrier declined to evaluate Edwards's performance publicly and, even when pressed, said he would not comment on his plans for his staff for next season until after this season.

"Now is not the time for that," Spurrier said.

Spurrier's contract gives him control over his coaching staff, but he has left open the possibility of hiring more experienced assistants following the season if he feels it's necessary. There is growing sentiment within the organization and around the league that Spurrier must make changes to his staff if he's going to succeed in the NFL. His assistants have the least NFL coaching experience of any staff in the league.

Williams could be a top candidate for the Redskins if he's fired by the Bills. He served as the Tennessee Titans' defensive coordinator for four seasons before being hired by Buffalo in February 2001. The Titans had the NFL's top-ranked defense in 2000 under Williams, setting a single-season franchise record for sacks (55) and allowing the third-fewest points (191) by any club in the league ever under a 16-game schedule. Other defensive-oriented NFL head coaches who could be available in the offseason include Chicago's Dick Jauron and Arizona's Dave McGinnis.