The Raiders are on the verge of naming Cowboys assistant head coach/quarterbacks Sean Payton as their coach, Cowboys offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon told the Contra Costa (Calif.) Times Tuesday.
“I’m out of the running,” Carthon said. “Sean’s going to get that job. He’s out there now working out the details, and it could be announced later.”
Payton, a Naperville native, was unavailable for comment.
According to two sources, Payton, 40, has agreed to become Oakland’s head coach and is expected to sign a four-year deal worth approximately $1.3 million a year.
Payton was the fourth of five candidates to be interviewed and the only one to receive a second interview.
Mornhinweg moves up: Former Lions head coach Marty Mornhinweg was promoted to assistant head coach of the Eagles, where the 41-year-old served as a senior assistant this season.
“Marty is one of the top football minds in the National Football League,” coach Andy Reid said. “He’s been a head coach and an offensive coordinator in this league, and I rely heavily on him for different situations that come up as a head coach.
Mornhinweg went 5-27 as Detroit’s head coach in 2001-2002.
Steelers fill Mularkey’s shoes: Pittsburgh’s tight ends coach Ken Whisenhunt was promoted to offensive coordinator, replacing Mike Mularkey, who is now the Bills’ head coach. Russ Grimm, one of two announced finalists for the Bears’ head-coaching position, will remain offensive line coach but will also have the title of assistant head coach.
A Chief once again: Gunther Cunningham returned to Kansas City as defensive coordinator, three years after he was fired as the team’s head coach.
“It is the most unusual turn of events that I’ve been part of in my professional career,” Cunningham said. “And I’m very happy about it.”
Cunningham was the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator from 1995-98, then went 16-16 as their head coach in 1999-00.
Adams back in charge: Titans owner Bud Adams did not renew Jeff Diamond’s contract as team president and took the job back for himself.
Diamond was hired in July 1999, and the Titans went 56-24 in that stretch with one AFC championship. They also reached the playoffs four of those five seasons.
But Adams, 81, said in a statement that he needs to be more directly involved in managing the team and the company that oversees The Coliseum, Tennessee’s home stadium.
Colts thinking new stadium: Owner Jim Irsay said he plans to meet with Indianapolis officials within the next six weeks for negotiations he hopes will lead to a new stadium.
He also said he is willing to make Peyton Manning, named The Sporting News’ Player of the Year, the league’s highest-paid player and hopes to have him signed to a new contract before March 1.
