UPDATES:
1-11-14 Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
“I’m told the Jets are expected to have a new general manager sooner rather than later. Sources tell me that former Texans director of college scouting Mike Maccagnan is expected to be hired as the Jets’ next general manager, which is not a surprise. He has actually been in town for the past three days meeting with owner Woody Johnson, talking to the team’s brass, establishing his plan for running the team.
“Now, what is next on his docket is who is going to be the Jets’ head coach? The two candidates I’m told who have elevated themselves above all others are Todd Bowles and Dan Quinn. But keep an eye on Gary Kubiak. They may also want to interview him as well.”
1-8-14- Per Rich Cimini, the Jets will interview Mike Maccagnan for a second time. Maccagnan is the first Jets GM candidate to be asked for a second interview.
1.7.14- Per Rich Cimini, the Jets have scheduled an interview with Joe Robinson, the director of player personnel for the Buccaneers and former Patriots executive.
As I pointed out yesterday, the New York Jets may be holding out on a coaching candidate who is still in the playoffs. That’s one possibility. Another possibility, and this goes for other NFL team that currently lack general managers, the New York Jets are waiting to make one move, in a combination package.
It’s been speculated among many that Doug Marrone would prefer his general manager to be Mike Maccagnan, the Texans Director of College Scouting. Also, New York Jets advisor Charley Casserly is the man who gave Maccagnan his first NFL job out of college.
Many favored that this combination would be announced this week but after Jason La Canfora tweeted that Marrone had a bad interview with the Jets, this appears unlikely.
Nonetheless, Maccagnan is scheduled to have his interview on Monday.
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The Jets favorite to become head coach, according to La Canfora, is Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, but rumor has it that he prefers to come in with Vikings assistant general manager, Dan Patton. Patton, has denied the New York Jets request for an interview, so we will see if Patton wants to stay put or if he would follow Quinn elsewhere. Another coaching candidate said to be tied with a general manager is Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who would reportedly want come on board with the Chiefs director of college scouting, Chris Ballard.
Ballard, like Patton, turned down a request to be interviewed by the Jets.
So, who have the Jets interviewed for the general manager position?
So far, in-house candidate Rod Graves, Browns executive chief of staff Bill Kuharic, Seahawks director of pro personnel Trent Kirchner and Eagles director of pro personnel Rick Mueller. Like I noted earlier, Maccagnan is on deck. Dolphins director of college scouting Chris Grier will also interview at some point this week.
So far, like the last time they wanted a new general manager, the Jets haven’t gotten their hands on those who would be considered their top choices. The New York Jets job is more enticing than it was before John Idzik was hired, but not by much. The main difference is that now they have money to spend, but still no quarterback and a sixth pick that may require a trade to get the quarterback they covet.
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The main concern seems to be the obvious- If a general manager were to accept a job, he would probably want full control in hiring the head coach. With the new Jets braintrust in place to hire the head coach and general manager, it appears the Jets won’t hand over that control and want full say in both hirings.
Ideally, the New York Jets want to play match maker on their own. Right now, it appears that may not be working and that they could end up hiring which ever head coach they like most first, before they start taking offers elsewhere with five other openings.
Candidates, both for head coach and general manager, have all the leverage with a team who’s desperate to right the ship, but don’t have as much to offer as other teams trying to do the same.