|
|||||||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||||
Bill Callahan will not be back as coach of the Raiders next season after the team declined to pick up the first of two option years on Callahan's contract Tuesday afternoon, a person in the team's front office said.
Callahan met with managing general partner Al Davis and senior assistant Bruce
Allen earlier in the day, the source said. The two sides decided during the
meeting to part ways.
The Raiders are expected to announce their decision as early as today, the source said.
Callahan's agent, Gary O'Hagan, said, "I don't have any comments today,"
when reached Tuesday afternoon. Callahan was unavailable for comment.
The Raiders concluded their worst season since 1997 on Sunday with a 21-14 loss
at San Diego. They finished 4-12, matching the franchise's worst record since
the 1962 team went 1-13.
Callahan guided the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance in 19 years
in his rookie season as a coach last season. The Raiders lost that game 48-21
to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and couldn't come close to matching the success
of 2002 this season.
Wide receiver Tim Brown and cornerback Charles Woodson, among others, said in
recent days that they would not play for the Raiders if Callahan was retained
as coach.
Players cited a lack of consistency in Callahan's implementation of fines and
suspensions, poor communication skills and too much meddling with the offense
as main reasons for their displeasure with Callahan.
Callahan refused to comment on his status with the Raiders after a season-ending
loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. He said he would do so during his
season-ending news conference this week.
However, Callahan delivered a 416-word statement Monday in which he said, in
part: "I accept full and complete responsibility for the lack of success
that we've had this year. ... I'm really disappointed in our season and I look
to the future with great promise for all of our players and for all of our coaches."
It is uncertain whether any of Callahan's assistant coaches will be retained.
The Raiders went 11-5 in the regular season under Callahan in 2002, winning
their third straight AFC West title. They won both their playoff games en route
to the Super Bowl, beating the New York Jets 30-10 in the divisional round and
the Tennessee Titans 41-24 in the AFC title game.
Oakland finished tied with three teams for the league's worst record.
Callahan was tight ends coach, offensive line coach and offensive coordinator
during his first four years with the Raiders. He was promoted to coach in 2002
after the Raiders traded coach Jon Gruden to the Buccaneers for the rights to
four draft picks and $8 million.
Back To Index Page