Jets special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica — who is in his seventh season with Gang Green — will interview with Army about the Black Knights’ vacant head coaching position.
The Jets refused to confirm or deny Kotwica’s interview, but a source close to the situation said the interview could take place as early as Saturday.
Kotwica played linebacker at Army and captained the Black Knights to the only 10-win season in their history. He served as an officer for seven years before taking his first coaching gig as an assistant at the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in Monmouth County, NJ. He joined the Jets from there as an assistant, elevated to coordinator this year.
He would likely be considered a long-shot to land the West Point job. Georgia Southern gave head coach Jeff Monken — 38-16 as a head coach, and a former assistant under ex-Navy coach Paul Johnson — permission to interview.
Ohio State co-offensive coordinator /offensive line coach Ed Warriner is also a candidate, as is Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, a former Army Ranger who spent two seasons at West Point under Bob Sutton and was in the mix for the job five years ago.
Kellen Winslow Jr. said his comments about Cleveland — “really, they can’t guard me. That’s how I feel, and I can’t be guarded” he told ESPN.com — had nothing to do with tweaking his old team and everything to do with confidence.
“I wasn’t talking to the Browns,” he said. “I just feel that in general. I feel that’s how you should play the game. You should go out with that confidence like no one can mess with you, and the work’s put in. If I go out like this guy can guard me, he can lock me down, that’s not good confidence.’’
Winslow has played just 31 percent of the snaps this year, and on Thursday offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg admitted the tight end should’ve played more last weekend against Carolina. Despite limited snaps and having served a four-game suspension, Winslow is fourth on the team in catches.
Coach Rex Ryan will have a healthy team Sunday, saying: “Everybody’s probable. So here’s the list. … They’re all probable. So, that’s a good thing. Everybody should play.’’
LB Quinton Coples (shoulder), CB Antonio Cromartie (hip), DL Kenrick Ellis (back), WR Santonio Holmes (foot, hamstring), T Austin Howard (knee), WR Jeremy Kerley (elbow), CB Ellis Lankster (jaw), LB Garrett McIntyre (knee, elbow), WR David Nelson (ribs), S Ed Reed (not injury related), DT Sheldon Richardson (wrist, finger), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (wrist) and Winslow (knee) are all probable.
For Cleveland, TE Jordan Cameron is out with a concussion.