Early look at possible Raiders DC’s for ’21
Raiders coach Jon Gruden is focused on finishing out the season before determining how to proceed on defense for 2021.
During his time with the Raiders (1998-2001), Tampa Bay (2002 through 2008) and the Raiders again (2018 to present), Gruden has had four defensive coordinators: Willie Shaw, Chuck Bresnahan, Monte Kiffin and Paul Guenther. All have run a 4-3 as their base defense. Guenther is the first to be fired during a season.
Here are names that could come up, keeping in mind some could be unavailable because they’re under contract or could be hired as head coaches:
(Name, age, current or most recent position)
ROD MARINELLI, 71, RAIDERS INTERIM COORDINATOR » Has a head start in the form of a three-game audition. A 30-27 overtime loss to the Chargers was not promising, although predictable on a short week. If the Raiders can go from aw
ful to average in the last two games with adequate preparation, it’s a strong statement.
RAHEEM MORRIS, 44, ATLANTA FALCONS INTERIM HEAD COACH » If Morris doesn’t get the Falcons gig, he’ll be one of the most sought after coordinators when the postseason musical chairs begins. Gruden hired him at Tampa Bay.
GUS BRADLEY, 54, L.A. CHARGERS COORDINATOR » Was linebackers coach for Gruden at Tampa
Bay (2006- 08). Like Dan Quinn, ran the Seattle defense before moving on. Has been Chargers defensive coordinator since 2017 so he knows all about the AFC West. If Anthony Lynn and the staff are swept out, he’ll be available and interested.
WADE PHILLIPS 73, UNEMPLOYED, L.A. RAMS COORDINATOR » Sources told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he’s interested and has felt the love from Raiders fans on Twitter. He may like the Raiders more than the Raiders like him. Gruden has never run a
3- 4 before. Cory Littleton has, and so has Lamarcus Joyner under Phillips with the Rams.
AARON GLENN, 48, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS SECONDARY COACH » One of the fast-risers in NFL coaching circles.
He’d be first in line to be the Saints D.C. should Dennis Allen get a second crack at a head coaching job.
VIC FANGIO, 62, DENVER BRONCOS COACH » Fangio could hang on in Denver as head coach with a decent finish. If not, he’ll have plenty of options to run a defense. Another veteran who uses a 3- 4 as his base defense.
DERRICK ANSLEY, 39, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE COORDINATOR » A Raiders secondary coach in 2018, went to Tennessee to get experience as a coordinator. Ansley told the Knoxville Sentinel he considers Gruden a mentor and still speaks with him.
MATT PATRICIA, 46, UNEMPLOYED, DETROIT LIONS COACH » Former Lions head coach is respected by Gruden and schooled in the New England defensive system under Bill Belichick. Gruden had Patricia and the Lions to Napa for training camp practices.
DAN QUINN, 50, UNEMPLOYED, ATLANTA FALCONS COACH » Many teams aspire to play defensively as the Seattle Seahawks did in his tenure there as coordinator under Pete Carroll. Including the Raiders. MARVIN LEWIS, 62, ARIZONA STATE CO-COORDINATOR » Took a step back to work for Herm Edwards at Arizona State after being fired in Cincinnati and seems to enjoy it. Schooled Guenther in Cincinnati, and Gruden likes that style of defense.
ROMEO CRENNEL, 73, HOUSTON TEXANS INTERIM COACH » Will be the market at the end of the season, Crennel also worked under Belichick. That means multiple fronts and personalities based on the opponent that week.
JEROD MAYO, 34, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS LINEBACKERS COACH » The Patriots are all Mayo has ever known as a linebacker and a highly-regarded young assistant coach. Has only had two years as an assistant. LOVIE SMITH, 62, UNEMPLOYED, ILLINOIS HEAD COACH » Schooled in the Tampa 2 style under Tony Dungy, has been defensive coordinator of the Rams as well as head coach in Chicago and with the Bucs. Marinelli was his defensive coordinator with the Bears.
GREGG WILLIAMS, 62, UNEMPLOYED, N.Y. JETS COORDINATOR » If you want a zero blitz from the 46-yard line with five seconds to play, Williams is your guy. Gruden loves competing against his coordinators in practice. He’d have a ball with Williams.
BRENT VENABLES, 49, CLEMSON COORDINATOR » There is zero indication Venables wants to leave the college ranks, plus he’s used to having superior talent than the opposition. But he’s from Clemson, so you know the Raiders like him.
JOHN PAGANO, 53, DENVER BRONCOS LINEBACKERS COACH » Did a good job taking over for Ken Norton Jr. during the 2017 season. Working in Fangio’s system now in Denver but has also operated a 4-3 so his background is solid.