Marty Mornhinweg with Andy Reid (Reuters)
Pep Hamilton. (AP)
ON THE OFFENSIVE: The Jets, who still have not hired a general manager, are in the process of interviewing candidates to take over the offensive coordinator position vacant since Tony Sparano was fired. Among the top candidates are former Ravens coordinator Cam Cameron (left), former Eagles coordinator Marty Mornhinweg (top right) and Stanford coordinator Pep Hamilton (bottom right). (AP (2); Reuters (Mornhinweg) )
The Jets are doing a lot of searching.
As they continue to look for their next general manager, they also have begun searching for an offensive coordinator.
According to a source, the Jets interviewed Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg on Friday, former Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron yesterday and will talk with Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton today. Sources said the Jets also are interested in Bengals assistant Hue Jackson and former Browns coach Pat Shurmur, but no interviews have been scheduled yet with either of them.
The Jets fired Tony Sparano a week ago after one season on the job. No offensive coordinator is expected to be hired until the Jets first hire a new GM.
The Jets began interviewing candidates to replace the fired Mike Tannenbaum 11 days ago, but it feels like they have been searching for months. They have interviewed at least 10 people for the job, but they have not offered it to anyone, according to a source. That has not stopped speculation that the Jets are having trouble finding anyone to take the job.
The Jets hope to have a new GM in place by the end of this week, but it is possible the search could stretch into next week. The Jets reportedly are having follow-up interviews with Steelers executive Omar Khan, former Bears GM Jerry Angelo and Jets assistant GM Scott Cohen. But a source said others can be added to that list. Another source said Dolphins assistant GM Brian Gaine remains in the mix.
A report by Sports Illustrated yesterday indicated the Jets’ first choice for the job was Dave Caldwell. The report said Caldwell took a tour of the area near the Jets’ headquarters in Florham Park on Jan. 7 and the team was prepared to put a $1 million housing allowance into a contract offer for Caldwell, who took the Jaguars’ GM job a day later.
The Jets’ decision-makers are taking a thorough, deliberate approach to the search. They are aware how vital this hire is to turning the team around. They recognize they have made some bad decisions in recent years and are determined to get this right. Money is not expected to be a hurdle in hiring the GM.
The Jets have spoken with at least 15 people about the job, bringing in at least 10 for formal interviews. The Jets GM job has a few things that have scared some candidates away — the salary cap, being forced to keep coach Rex Ryan and the quarterback situation — but there are still plenty of people who want the job.
Sources familiar with the interview process said it has been conducted by owner Woody Johnson, team president Neil Glat and Jed Hughes, the headhunter hired by the team to lead the search. Ira Akselrad, the president of the Johnson Company and an adviser of Johnson, has also been involved in some of the interviews.