January 11, 2010
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers executive Khan to interview with Seahawks
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SPORTS / STEELERS
Steelers executive Khan to interview with Seahawks
Monday, January 11, 2010
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers coaches are not the only ones who may be leaving. Omar Khan, one of the team's top executives, will interview for
the general manager's job with the Seattle Seahawks tomorrow.
Khan spent the past nine seasons as the team's chief negotiator with the title of football and business administration
coordinator. He is their lead salary cap monitor.
The Seahawks reportedly have hired Southern California's Pete Carroll to be their coach and will interview four people for
the general manager's job.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has three jobs open on his coaching staff. Tomlin fired offensive line coach Larry Zierlein and
special teams coach Bob Ligashesky. Quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson retired.
Bobby April, who coached the Steelers' special teams in 1994 and 1995, is a candidate to replace Ligashesky. Tomlin
interviewed April yesterday
Also, Rip Scherer Jr. could be a candidate to become the Steelers' quarterbacks coach. Scherer, a Pittsburgh native, is the
quarterbacks coach of the Carolina Panthers. He interviewed last week to become the offensive coordinator at the University
of Virginia and it is possible the Panthers would grant him permission to interview for the Steelers' job.
Scherer was head coach at the University of Memphis when he hired Tomlin for his second job as a graduate assistant coach
in 1996 and the two have remained close. They are both William & Mary graduates. Scherer is the cousin of Kevin Colbert,
the Steelers' director of football operations.
For more on the Steelers, read the new blog, Ed Bouchette On the Steelers at www.post-gazette.com/plus. Ed Bouchette can be reached at ebouchette@post-gazette.com.
Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a
members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.
First published on January 11, 2010 at 12:00 am
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10011/1027372-66.stm
1/11/2010
Steelers' Khan to interview with Seahawks - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Steelers' Khan to interview with Seahawks
By staff and wire reports
Monday, January 11, 2010
Omar Khan, the Steelers' football and administration coordinator, will interview
with the Seattle Seahawks for the opening they have at general manager, the
Tribune-Review learned Sunday. Khan, 32, is expected to meet with the
Seahawks early this week. Khan, who just completed his ninth season with the
Steelers, has been a key behind-the-scenes figure for the franchise. He is the
lead negotiator in contracts, and he is well-regarded around the league for the
work he has done for the Steelers with the salary cap. Khan's background is
primarily on the business side, and the interest the Seahawks have in him
would make sense if they are indeed courting Pete Carroll fill the opening they
also have at head coach. Several media outlets have reported that the
Seahawks are close to reaching a deal with Carroll, the head coach at Southern
Cal. If Carroll returns to the NFL -- he served as head coach of the Jets and
Patriots before going to USC and returning the Trojans to national prominence - he may want a large say in player personnel matters. Khan joined the Steelers
in 2001 as a football operations/coaching assistant. He has also been the
Steelers' business operations coordinator/chief negotiator.
• Philadelphia general manager Tom Heckert has agreed to become the
Cleveland Browns' new GM, a person familiar with the hiring told The
Associated Press. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity
because the details of Heckert's contract have not been finalized, said the 42year-old could join the team as early as today. The Browns recently hired Mike
Holmgren as their president and now have found a replacement for GM George
Kokinis, fired by the club in November. Cleveland's front office is being
reorganized under Holmgren, who interviewed Heckert last week in between
meetings with coach Eric Mangini. Holmgren announced Thursday he was
bringing Mangini back for a second season.
• The first day of the NFL playoffs drew the best preliminary television ratings in
a decade. The Cowboys' 34-14 win over the Eagles on NBC on Saturday night
earned a 19.6 overnight rating and 32 share, the highest for a first-round game
since the 1999 season. The Jets' 24-14 win over the Bengals drew a 16.9/31,
the best for the early game in 10 years.
Images and text copyright © 2010 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media
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1/11/2010
TimesOnline.com: Madden: Steelers in stable condition
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Sunday January 10, 2010
Madden: Steelers in stable condition
By: Mark Madden
Beaver County Times
Steelers beat Ravens on Monday night-QB big Ben confers with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians
after his first quarter interception.
The Steelers’ in-house game of musical chairs is over.
Special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky and offensive line coach Larry Zierlein are out. Head coach
Mike Tomlin tried to yank offensive coordinator Bruce Arians’ chair out from under him, but upper
management put it back. Quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson retired.
And so it goes with a franchise that prides itself on stability but briefly devolved into chaos.
There was no need for massive coaching change. The Steelers are a year removed from winning a Super
Bowl. Panicky overhauls are the way of the lower echelon, not a team that’s had three head coaches
since 1969.
Ignore the hue and cry of the hoi polloi. Make the playoffs next year, bad memories fade. Miss the
playoffs again, legitimate turnover will be warranted.
Arians’ offense had a great year statistically. If play-calling in certain situations needs tweaked or even
usurped, it’s Tomlin’s prerogative to do it. Bill Cowher did it. Don’t be a figurehead. Be a head coach.
Arians’ big picture looks good, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likes working with him. Retaining
Arians was proper.
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/january/10/madden-st... 1/11/2010
TimesOnline.com: Madden: Steelers in stable condition
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The disturbing aspect of the Steelers’ coaching carousel is the decision-making process. Who makes the
call?
Even though keeping Arians was the right move, it should have been up to Tomlin. Was it? Does
defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau have carte blanche to work as long as he wants? He’s good, but is
that good?
With most NFL teams, the coach is a conduit between players and management. But the Steelers coach
has such unrivaled job security, he becomes a legitimate part of management, beholden to the above
much more than the below. But does that mean management should share/interfere in Tomlin’s process?
Canning Ligashesky was inevitable. The Steelers ranked 30th in the NFL in kickoff coverage, 24th in
punt coverage. They were first and fourth, respectively, a season ago. What happened? The Steelers also
allowed four kickoff returns for touchdown in five weeks. Ligashesky was universally disliked, a
militant pain in the backside with a resume of mostly failure. Not only was Ligashesky easy to fire, it
may have even been enjoyable.
As for Zierlein, it was hard to succeed a legendary player and coach like Russ Grimm. Following the
guy that followed Grimm will be easier. Zierlein’s line allowed 50 sacks this season. Roethlisberger
holds onto the ball too long sometimes. Not that many times.
Stability is the Steelers’ watchword, and that’s a good thing, even if the path there seemed a bit
disorderly this past week.
The Seattle Seahawks, meanwhile, exposed the Rooney Rule for minority hiring as the fraud it is by
settling on Southern Cal’s Pete Carroll for their next coach, then canvassing black candidates like
Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier after that fact, turning the interview process into a
bizarre, league-sanctioned minstrel show.
The only team to productively adhere to the Rooney Rule is the Steelers. If NFL teams could just hire
who they want for GM and head coach regardless of ethnicity, it wouldn’t aid the cause of minority
hiring. But it wouldn’t hurt, either, and it would eliminate a lot of hypocrisy.
If the NFL truly wants to integrate minorities into its hierarchy, welcome a black man into the owners’
club.
Mark Madden hosts a sports talk show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/january/10/madden-st... 1/11/2010
TimesOnline.com: Bires: Arians isn't the only target of criticism
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Sunday January 10, 2010
Bires: Arians isn't the only target of criticism
Beaver County Times
For those who want to keep on criticizing Bruce Arians for throwing the ball so much, make sure to
include Mike Tomlin in your criticism.
The head coach is every bit to blame as the offensive coordinator.
For the record, Tomlin claims that he’s responsible for every decision that goes into a game plan,
whether it’s offense, defense or special teams. But truth be known, he’s a hands-off kind of guy.
He lets his coordinators run their shows.
Seldom, if ever, has Tomlin ordered Arians what to call.
Yes, it is Arians’ choice to throw more. It’s his opinion that the offense is suited to pass often because
he has three No. 1 draft picks (Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller and Santonio Holmes) plus Hines Ward
to work with.
Apparently, Tomlin agrees.
Therein lies one of the fundamental differences between Tomlin and his predecessor, Bill Cowher.
Cowher was never shy about vetoing a coordinator’s decision. If Cowher wanted more runs, he’d yell it
out, “Run the ball!”
Tomlin has yet to do that.
———
How come no one is criticizing Dick LeBeau? Does his outstanding track record as a defensive
coordinator give him a free pass?
In virtually every key defensive statistic, the Steelers’ defense fell short of last year’s figures.
They recorded 47 sacks compared to 51 last year, allowed 5.1 yards per play compared to 3.9,
intercepted 12 passes compared to 20 and created only 22 turnovers compared to 29.
Most importantly, they allowed 29 touchdowns to only 19 last year.
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/january/10/bires-arian... 1/11/2010
TimesOnline.com: Bires: Arians isn't the only target of criticism
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———
One of the anti-Arians arguments is that the offense could have spared the defense the embarrassment of
so many fourth-quarter collapses by possessing the ball longer.
That’s a major misconception.
The Steelers won the time of possession battle in 12 of their 16 games. In the Sept. 23 loss at Cincinnati,
the Steelers had close to a 10-minute edge in time of possession. In the Nov. 17 loss at Kansas City, they
had a whopping 22-minute edge in time of possession.
For the season, the Steelers had the ball on average more than five minutes per game longer than their
opponents.
The bottom line is that the defense just didn’t get the job done when it mattered most.
———
It’s too early to predict who the Steelers will pick in the 2010 draft. They must decide on which of their
free agents they’ll keep and which free agents they’ll go after on the open market.
But with the 18th overall pick of the draft, why not take a defensive back? It could be either a cover
cornerback or a free safety … depending on who’s available.
———
I would imagine that Charlie Batch isn’t quite ready to call it a career. But he is 35, and he’s definitely
injury prone. He’s missed two of the past six seasons with injuries (a knee in 2004 and a shoulder last
year). In the only game he played this year, he broke his wrist.
With Dennis Dixon entrenched as Ben Roethlisberger’s back-up, Batch might never play another down
if he stays in Pittsburgh as a player.
But might he remain in town as a coach? After all, the Steelers are looking for a new QB coach now that
Ken Anderson has retired.
———
Here’s hoping that Limas Sweed makes a full recovery from whatever is ailing him and that he bounces
back with a confidence that will allow him to get his game in order.
Sweed’s struggles as a pass receiver the past two years have been well-documented.
It’s mysterious that the Steelers refuse to say why Sweed was put on the non-football illness list late in
the season.
There’s no doubt Sweed has the physical skills to play in the NFL. He’s big (6-foot-4, 220 pounds),
strong and fast. That’s why the Steelers used a second-round pick on him.
He certainly works hard at practice. And he’s really a nice kid.
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TimesOnline.com: Bires: Arians isn't the only target of criticism
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But for some reason, it just seems that Sweed lacks the concentration and mental toughness necessary to
play pro football
He’ll probably get just one more chance to prove he can do it.
Only in Sunday’s print editions: Steelers position-by-position grades and player breakdowns
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/january/10/bires-arian... 1/11/2010
After missing playoffs, Steelers will have different look in 2010
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After missing playoffs, Steelers will have
different look in 2010
1/11/2010 3:32 AM
PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers began their offseason much earlier than expected after failing
to make the playoffs for only the third time in nine seasons. Chances are, they will be a different team in
a few months.
The one constant in the NFL is that nothing stays the same and that's particularly true when the results
aren't acceptable. For the Steelers, not reaching the playoffs a season after winning the Super Bowl was
unacceptable.
Head coach Mike Tomlin fired the first two salvos last week when special teams coordinator Bob
Ligashesky and offensive line coach Larry Zierlein were fired. Those will likely be the only changes on
the coaching staff, but the roster will have a very different look next season.
"One thing I will acknowledge is that things rarely stay the same," said Tomlin. "You've got to proceed
with that assumption in mind."
Eight players who started games this season for the Steelers will be restricted or unrestricted free agents,
meaning the team trumpeted the fact that it returned 20 of 22 starters from the Super Bowl will likely be
breaking in a several of new starters next season.
"We're in the process of reviewing that. I'd like to think that we've got enough quality players and
coaches that we will perennially be in the fight," Tomlin said. "That's my feeling, but I'm going to let the
tape talk to me and guide me."
Tomlin might not like what he sees.
The defense, which seemingly got old overnight, has six key players who will be free agents March 1.
Clouding that issue is the fact that there could be no new collective bargaining agreement in place by
March 1, which would make 2010 an uncapped season. The NFL has had a salary cap since 1992.
With no cap, teams can spend as much as they want in free agency. And with no salary basement, some
teams could jettison high-salaried players, possibly creating a glut of veterans on the open market. It
also could impact players such as offensive tackle Willie Colon, who, after completing his fifth NFL
season, is set to become an unrestricted free agent. If there is no collective bargaining agreement,
players with less than six years of experience will be restricted free agents instead of unrestricted.
The Steelers will likely handle free agency as they normally do - signing one or two key players.
In staggering to a 9-7 record, the Steelers were an up-and-down team. After opening the season 1-2, they
won their next five games to improve to 6-2. Then came a five-game losing streak followed by wins in
their final three games.
Tomlin, however, is not so concerned about that five-game losing streak as he is with the fact the
Steelers were 2-4 against AFC North opponents.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/01-11-2010-Steelers-2009-wrap
1/11/2010
After missing playoffs, Steelers will have different look in 2010
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"It starts there. That is the only guaranteed ticket to the (postseason)," he said. "We were 0-3 on the road
in our division. If you want to be a world-championship-caliber team, you've got to be able to go into a
hostile environment versus known competitors and win. We weren't able to do that."
One thing that was missing - particularly against division rivals - was the physical play that has typified
past Pittsburgh teams. The Steelers became a pass-oriented offense and were beaten at the line of
scrimmage by Cincinnati and Cleveland. Tomlin was particularly upset following a 13-6 loss to the
Browns - the Steelers' largest margin of defeat - in which Pittsburgh rushed for only 77 yards while
allowing 171, the most by a Cleveland team against the Steelers since 1972.
"I thought our level of energy in Cleveland was below the line," Tomlin said. "I thought that we got outhit and out-hustled in Cleveland and that was a concern."
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians will return. Establishing a balanced offense and a physical running
game behind running back Rashard Mendenhall will be a must for Arians.
The Steelers attempted 545 passes compared to only 428 runs, the latter their smallest total since 1991.
While the passing game produced with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throwing for more than 4,000
yards, it often bogged down inside the 20-yard line. The Steelers ranked 22nd in scoring touchdowns
from inside the red zone.
Defensively, the Steelers could replace half of their starting secondary plus several backups. Three
quarters of the secondary that started the regular-season finale in Miami - cornerback Deshea Townsend
and safeties Tyrone Carter and Ryan Clark - are unrestricted free agents. Each is more than 30 years old.
Cornerback William Gay, who started 14 games before being replaced by Townsend, is a restricted free
agent. That could leave cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Troy Polamalu as the lone holdovers.
The Steelers fell from No. 1 in pass defense in 2008 to 16th this season, and they were 28th in defensive
third-down conversions.
"Situational football defines us," Tomlin said. "I've said that, in good times and in bad. It's no surprise to
me that we were below the line at times in that area. That's why I put emphasis on it. It's the difference
between winning and losing."
Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/01-11-2010-Steelers-2009-wrap
1/11/2010
AP Source - Seattle 'Very Close' to Signing Carroll - NYTimes.com
Page 1 of 2
January 11, 2010
AP Source: Seattle 'Very Close' to Signing Carroll
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:43 a.m. ET
SEATTLE (AP) -- Pete Carroll is about to sign a contract to return to the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks,
according to a league official with direct knowledge of the coaching search.
The official, who requested anonymity because the team isn't detailing the search, said Sunday night the
charismatic coach of Southern California has ''not signed but (is) very close.''
The official told The Associated Press that the Seahawks expect to finish the deal for the eighth coach in their
34-year history Monday morning, and that all that was left was to ''dot the I's and cross the T's.'' The official
said that barring last-minute hang-ups, the Seahawks are likely to introduce Carroll on Tuesday or
Wednesday.
Seahawks chief executive Tod Leiweke spent Sunday in Los Angeles meeting with Carroll.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Carroll decided Sunday night to resign from USC and take the job with
the Seahawks. The school's players and coaches were informed of the moved through a text message from an
assistant, according a story posted on the newspaper's Web site.
Carroll and several Trojans players did not respond to text messages and phone calls left by the AP. The
coach's agent, Gary Uberstine, did not respond to calls and e-mails left on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A Seahawks spokesman declined comment when asked about the report that Carroll had resigned. He also
said the Seahawks had nothing to report on their coaching search Sunday night.
USC spokesman Tim Tessalone said he also had nothing to report on Carroll, who has spent nine mostly
glorious years with the Trojans.
The Seahawks fired coach Jim Mora on Friday following just one season, even though he had three years and
about $12 million remaining on his contract. General manager and president Tim Ruskell was forced to
resign last month, leaving Seattle without a coach, general manager or president less than four years after the
team reached the Super Bowl.
Carroll went 6-10 with the Jets in 1994 and 27-21 while twice reaching the playoffs from '97-99 with the
Patriots -- before he restored a dynasty at USC beginning in 2001.
Seattle is 9-23 since its run of four consecutive NFC West titles ended in the 2007 season. Team owner Paul
Allen, the Microsoft Corp. tycoon, proved money is of little concern by firing Mora after Leiweke had said he
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/01/11/sports/AP-FBN-Seahawks-Carroll.html?_r=... 1/11/2010
AP Source - Seattle 'Very Close' to Signing Carroll - NYTimes.com
Page 2 of 2
expected the coach to stay.
The Seahawks are hoping the splashy, marquee addition of Carroll will ignite a notoriously rabid fan base
that turned on its team this season with constant calls for mass firings.
The opportunity is unique for Carroll. The Seahawks do not have a GM in place, so he could have authority
over football matters like he had at USC, and far more than he would have had filling any of the NFL
coaching openings to which he's been connected in recent winters. The league source, however, said the only
official title Carroll will have is ''coach.''
This is also perhaps the best time to leave USC since he arrived in 2001.
Its string of seven consecutive Pac-10 titles ended with four losses in the just-completed season. And the
school has been under several years of NCAA scrutiny for alleged improprieties in both Carroll's team and
athletic director Mike Garrett's beleaguered department.
When receiver Damian Williams announced he's entering the NFL a year early, the news release of his
departure Friday night didn't include a quote from Carroll, who often lavishes praise on early entry
candidates.
University of Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, who left his friend Carroll and the Trojans 12 months ago
for his first head coaching job, chuckled when asked if he'd like to be a head man in the same city as his
mentor.
''That would be kind of fun,'' Sarkisian said. ''He would do great. He's a great coach.''
Carroll's departure comes at a bad time for USC recruits, who are now caught between whether to honor their
commitments or re-enter the college recruiting derby late in the process.
Carroll had already planned a team meeting for Monday afternoon, on the day the Trojans return to class
following the holiday break. Tessalone said that meeting is still scheduled.
-----AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press
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Supreme Court to tackle NFL-merchandiser antitrust case - USATODAY.com
Page 1 of 2
Powered by
Supreme Court to tackle NFL-merchandiser antitrust case
By Joan Biskupic, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The National Football League's appearance before the
Supreme Court this week is shaping up as a legal Super Bowl that could affect the
cost of Pittsburgh Steelers caps, Green Bay Packers jackets and possibly even
stadium tickets and player salaries.
As other major sports leagues watch closely, the court will hear an appeal
Wednesday by a suburban Chicago clothing manufacturer that lost a contract to
make caps with NFL logos when the 32-team league signed an exclusive contract
with Reebok.
The manufacturer, American Needle, claims the deal illegally thwarted competition and raised prices.
It is appealing a lower court's decision that the NFL is shielded from the usual antitrust rules barring
competitors from acting collectively.
CASE LOG: Tracking major cases facing the Supreme Court
If the court sides with the NFL and rules broadly, it could give sports leagues significant bargaining power
— not just in the marketing of merchandise but possibly in salary contracts with coaches and players. Even if the court rules narrowly, hundreds of
millions could be at stake.
"For the court to consider a case that could have a wide-ranging impact not only on the NFL and other sports leagues is significant in itself," says Daniel
Glazer, a New York lawyer who specializes in sports and licensing.
If the court issues a sweeping decision, Glazer and others say, leagues could have greater muscle in other commercial deals from concessions to
player salaries.
Yet, as Glazer and other analysts note, the contemporary Supreme Court is not prone to sweeping rulings.
The Obama administration, siding partly with American Needle, has urged the court to rule that judges should review sports antitrust disputes on a
case-by-case basis.
Strong interest
The stakes are evident from more than a dozen "friend of the court" briefs. Groups siding with American Needle include the National Football League
Coaches Association, which is worried about losing bargaining power with individual teams. The NFL has support from the National Hockey League and National Basketball
Association, which are concerned about frivolous antitrust lawsuits over valid league contracts.
The question: When can major sports leagues, consisting of many individual teams, be considered a "single entity" and exempt from antitrust law that bars separate businesses from
conspiring with one another.
For the licensing of logo merchandise, American Needle says, the 32 football teams should be regarded as individual competitors, just as they are on the field.
"The NFL in this case is trying to do an end-run around the laws that ensure that popular products like NFL hats and jerseys are available at the lowest possible prices," says
Washington lawyer Glen Nager for American Needle. Nager refers in his brief to a Reebok vice president's claim that "basic fitted caps that were selling for $19.99 a few years ago
are now selling for $30."
Gregg Levy, a Washington lawyer representing the NFL, declined an interview request. In his brief, Levy highlighted the collective purpose of the league. "The NFL produces an
entertainment product ... culminating in the Super Bowl championship game," he said, adding that member teams promote a "joint entertainment product."
Levy casts the dispute as limited to promotional activities.
Antitrust gray area
The case began after NFL Properties, through which the NFL promotes its brands, signed the exclusive contract with Reebok in 2001 and American Needle sued.
Sports leagues have long had an ambiguous place in antitrust law because they are made up of separately owned entities, yet their product arises from collective action.
The Chicago-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, whose decision backing the NFL is before the justices, touched on that when it said, "Asserting that a single football
team could produce a football game is less of a legal argument than it is a Zen riddle: Who wins when a football team plays itself?"
The appeals court said the issue should be addressed not only "one league at a time," but also "one facet of a league at a time."
In American Needle's appeal, Nager stresses the higher prices consumers face when less competition exists in the making of NFL merchandise.
http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Supreme+Court+to+tack... 1/11/2010
Supreme Court to tackle NFL-merchandiser antitrust case - USATODAY.com
Page 2 of 2
Levy, for the NFL, counters that the value of logos on sports paraphernalia arises only from the collective efforts of the NFL: "Consumers buy hats, shirts and other goods bearing club
marks — e.g. a blue star on a silver background (the Dallas Cowboys), the letter G in a green oval (the Green Bay Packers), a turquoise dolphin wearing a football helmet (the Miami
Dolphins) — not because those symbols have intrinsic value or independent appeal, but rather because they represent affiliation with an NFL team."
Find this article at:
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Pete Carroll resigns as USC coach, poised to join Seahawks - The Huddle: Football News... Page 1 of 1
The Huddle: The latest word on NFL news, notes and buzz
Vince Wilfork: 'I want to be a Patriot, but that’s not up to me'
Cardinals' Kurt Warner won't let emotions dictate whether he retires
Jan 11, 2010
Pete Carroll resigns as USC coach, poised to join Seahawks
12:39 AM
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Pete Carroll is inching closer to becoming the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
The L.A. Times and L.A. Daily News reported that Carroll had resigned as head coach of Southern California on Sunday. And an NFL insider told the AP
that Carroll could formally sign a contract with the Seahawks on Monday.
The deal is "not signed but is very close," the NFL insider told the AP.
Carroll emerged as the leading contender for the Seattle job after the team fired Jim Mora on Friday. He met with Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke on
Sunday.
Multiple outlets, including the Daily News, the Times, NFL.com and ESPN, had earlier reported that Carroll had reached a deal with the Seahawks.
ESPN reported that Carroll had convinced his offensive coordinator at USC, Jeremy Bates, to join him in Seattle. Bates had been a contender for the
Bears' vacant OC position. ESPN also reported that Ken Norton, Carroll's linebackers coach with the Trojans, will join him in Seattle.
If the deal becomes official, it will be Carroll's third stint as a head coach in the NFL. He went 33-31 in four seasons with the Jets and Patriots in 1994 (Jets)
and 1997-1999 (Patriots). -- Sean Leahy
Tags:
NFL Seattle Seahawks University of Southern California Pete Carroll Tod Leiweke
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NextCardinals' Kurt Warner won't let emotions dictate whether he retires
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ESPN.com - Sources: Carroll taking Bates, Norton
ESPN.com: NFL
Page 1 of 3
[Print without images]
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Updated: January 11, 8:05 AM ET
Sources: Carroll taking Bates, Norton
ESPN.com news services
Pete Carroll has resigned as the football coach of the USC Trojans, the Los Angeles Daily News
reported Sunday.
Carroll has reached an agreement in principle with the Seattle Seahawks on a deal to be their next head
coach, multiple NFL sources confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter early Saturday morning.
Seahawks chief executive officer Tod Leiweke was in Los Angeles on Sunday to finalize the deal, the
Los Angeles Times reported. A Seahawks spokesman declined comment to The Associated Press when
asked about a Los Angeles Daily News report that Carroll had resigned.
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• Blog network: NFL Nation
The newspaper also reported that USC players received text messages that Carroll would resign. A USC
spokesperson told ESPN.com on Sunday night that the school had nothing official to announce.
Sources say, however, that Carroll has already started to form the staff he will work with in Seattle.
The Chicago Bears have been informed that Jeremy Bates, who was scheduled to interview for their
offensive coordinator's job, has decided to accept the same job with Carroll and the Seahawks, two
sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen on Sunday night.
A source said Bates was tempted to be reunited with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, but the long-term
security with Carroll was a major factor in his decision to join the Seahawks rather than the Bears. Bates
was Cutler's offensive coordinator with the Broncos in 2008.
The Bears' options for the position now include Mike Martz, Jedd Fisch and Bill Musgrave, league
sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
A source close to USC linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. confirmed to ESPN's Shelley Smith that
Carroll will be taking Norton to Seattle to fill the same role with the Seahawks.
Norton recruited Lakewood High quarterback Jesse Scroggins, who has already committed to USC but
is said to be waiting to see what happens with Carroll.
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1/11/2010
ESPN.com - Sources: Carroll taking Bates, Norton
Page 2 of 3
Current Trojans said they had not heard the decision yet from Carroll, but heard about the Daily News
report.
"Wow. Well, I'm not surprised," junior running back Marc Tyler said to ESPNLosAngeles.com's
Ramona Shelburne. "I think by now most guys wanted it to hurry up and happen so we can see who is
going to coach us next."
Sophomore defensive end Malik Jackson said while he was a little surprised, he understands why
Carroll is leaving.
"Wow, I can't believe we're one of those teams looking for a new coach," Jackson told Shelburne. "I'd
heard about it all weekend, but I'm still kind of surprised.
"I don't blame him though. We all have to make decisions in our lives. If I could've said something that'd
make him come back, I would've. But I'm not mad at him. He has to do what he thinks is best for
himself. Everybody does."
Cross Oregon State's Mike Riley off the list of possible successors to Carroll.
Oregon State athletic director Bob De Carolis announced late Sunday night that the school had signed
Riley to a three-year extension through at least 2019.
Riley, a finalist for the Trojans job in 2000 and still thought highly of by USC's administration, had
become an immediate frontrunner to succeed Carroll.
Instead, Riley will stay in his hometown.
"Due to the fact there is a lot of speculation on my future, I want to make it known that I'm very excited
to be coaching at Oregon State University and I anticipate doing so for a long time," Riley said in a
statement released by the school.
Sources close to Riley said he was intrigued by the USC job, but loved coaching in Corvallis and the
idea that he could finish his career there.
Carroll is no stranger to the NFL, having served as the head coach for the Patriots from 1997 to 1999
and for the Jets in 1994.
He was the Jets' defensive coordinator from 1990 to 1993 after stints as the defensive backs coach for
the Vikings (1985-89) and Bills (1984).
The opportunity is unique for Carroll. The Seahawks do not have a GM in place, so he could have
authority over football matters like he had at USC, and far more than he would have had filling any of
the NFL coaching openings to which he's been connected in recent winters.
And this was perhaps the best time to leave USC since he arrived in 2001.
USC's string of seven consecutive Pac-10 titles ended with four losses in the just-completed season. And
the school has been under several years of NCAA scrutiny for alleged improprieties in both Carroll's
team and athletic director Mike Garrett's beleaguered department.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=4814933&type=story
1/11/2010
ESPN.com - Sources: Carroll taking Bates, Norton
Page 3 of 3
When receiver Damian Williams announced he's entering the NFL a year early, the news release of his
departure Friday night didn't include a quote from Carroll, who often lavishes praise on his early entry
candidates. His silence on Williams was good news for the Seahawks, who could use some.
University of Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, who left his friend Carroll and the Trojans 12 months
ago for his first head coaching job, chuckled when asked if he'd like to be a head man in the same city as
his mentor.
"That would be kind of fun," Sarkisian said. "He's a great coach."
Carroll had already planned a team meeting for Monday afternoon, on the day the Trojans return to class
following Christmas break. Tessalone said that meeting is still on.
Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne and The Associated Press was used in this
report.
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1/11/2010
ESPN.com - Seahawks set up GM interviews
ESPN.com: NFL
Page 1 of 1
[Print without images]
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Seahawks set up GM interviews
ESPN.com news services
The Seattle Seahawks are lining up general manager candidates to interview as they stand poised to introduce
USC's Pete Carroll as their new head coach.
Patriots senior football advisor Floyd Reese is scheduled to interview this week, a source close to the situation
told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Reese is the Tennessee Titans former general manager who has spent the past year with the Patriots.
NFC West
ESPN.com's Mike Sando writes about all things NFC West in his division blog.
• Network: NFL Nation
The Seahawks will interview Omar Khan, the Steelers' business and football administration coordinator, on
Monday and Tuesday, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton on Sunday.
Khan, 32, handles all the contract negotiations for Pittsburgh and is respected around the league for his ability
to get deals done.
The Seahawks also are expected to bring in John Schneider, the director of football operations for the Packers,
sources told Clayton.
Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross will interview for the position Wednesday, according to John
Wooten, the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance -- the group designed to ensure that teams abide by the
Rooney Rule.
The Seahawks forced Tim Ruskell to resign as general manager early last month before finishing the season 511. They went 4-12 record in 2008.
Their head coaching vacancy was created Friday when Jim Mora was fired. NFL sources confirmed to ESPN's
Adam Schefter early Saturday morning that Carroll had reached an agreement in principle to become their next
coach.
Information from ESPN.com's John Clayton and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter was used in this report.
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1/11/2010
Tom Eckert leaving Eagles to become Browns GM - NFL - SI.com
Page 1 of 1
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Posted: Monday January 11, 2010 1:49AM; Updated: Monday January 11, 2010 1:49AM
Story Highlights
Tom Heckert is leaving post as Eagles GM to go to
Cleveland
The 42-year old is joining new Browns president
Mike Holmgren
Heckert served as the Eagles general manager
since 2006
Heckert to become Browns
new GM
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Tom Heckert is leaving the Eagles' nest.
Philadelphia's general manager has agreed to become the Cleveland Browns' new GM, a person familiar with the hiring told The
Associated Press on Sunday.
The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the details of Heckert's contract have not been finalized, said the 42-yearold could join the team as early as Monday. The Browns recently hired Mike Holmgren as their president and now have found a
replacement for GM George Kokinis, fired by the club in November.
Cleveland's front office is being reorganized under Holmgren, who interviewed Heckert last week in between meetings with coach Eric
Mangini. Holmgren announced Thursday he was bringing Mangini back for a second season.
Heckert has been with the Eagles since 2002, serving as the club's GM since 2006. He began in Philadelphia's pro personnel department
and during his time with the club, the Eagles won four NFC East titles and went to one Super Bowl. Heckert was in the final year of his
contract in Philadelphia.
It's not known how much final authority Heckert will have over Cleveland's roster, draft and free-agency moves. In Philadelphia, he had to
defer those decisions to coach Andy Reid. Heckert was considered for Cleveland's GM job last winter, but he withdrew his name after
Mangini was hired.
Heckert has ties to the Browns. His father, Tom Sr., worked as a scout for the team in the 1980s.
Holmgren also interviewed Will Lewis, Seattle's director of pro personnel, for the GM opening. Lewis worked with Holmgren in Green Bay
and Seattle. Lewis was a minority candidate, so his interview fulfilled the Browns' obligation to comply with the NFL's Rooney Rule.
It's possible Lewis could wind up in Cleveland. The Seahawks are undergoing a massive overhaul following coach Jim Mora's firing on
Friday and are in negotiations with Southern California coach Pete Carroll.
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