Herock will get first crack at replacing Raiders’ G.M. Mckenzie
ALAMEDA – The Raiders search for a personnel executive is underway, and the first man to the plate is Shaun Herock
Coach Jon Gruden seems to think so, anyway, and he’ll be the one making the call even if owner Mark Davis has the final say.
“I think Shaun Herock will be a big part of this,” Gruden said Monday at his weekly press conference. “He’s a very talented personnel man, he has a lot of Raider history. We’re going to lean on him ... I expect him to be a big part of this organization going forward, honestly.”
Judging from the press release announcing the departure of general manager Reggie Mckenzie, the job may have a new title:
“The Raiders will immediately begin a search for a new front office executive and will have no further comment until the process is complete.”
Notice there is no mention of “general manager.”
That’s the way the Raiders operated for years when owner Al Davis made all decisions regarding the draft and free agency. The job title of general manager was non-existent.
In this case, the Al Davis role, as it pertains to personnel and the on-field operation, belongs to Gruden. He will be looking for someone to operate much as Mckenzie did for the past year, running the pro and college scouting department, organizing free agent scouting and visitation, and basically serving as a conduit for the head coach.
In Herock’s case, it would likely be strictly personnel, with another exec dealing with salary cap and financial issues. Herock has preferred to remain behind the scenes, declining interview requests since joining the Raiders.
Herock worked for 19 years with the Green Bay Packers, ascending to assistant director of college scouting before coming with Mckenzie to Oakland. His father, Ken Herock, was a Raiders personnel director under Davis as well as a Raiders tight end from 1963-67.
When Ken Herock was the Raiders personnel director, Shaun served as a ballboy.
Gruden said he hopes the new executive has “similar qualities” to Mckenzie.
“A guy that works hard, loves football, loves this organization, that will scratch and claw and fight with the rest of us,” Gruden said. “It all starts obviously with expertise in personnel, great leadership skills, a number of things go into this job. It’s a tough position in this league.”
Gruden confirmed that Joey Clinkscales, Mckenzie’s director of player personnel, was still on staff. Unlike Herock, he made no mention of Clinkscales’ role going forward. Dave Razzano, a personnel assistant brought aboard by Gruden, could have a bigger role although it’s likely to remain behind the scenes.
“I’m not revealing any candidates because I don’t have any,” Gruden said.
Gruden said Davis will be accumulating a list of candidates the two will discuss in the near future.