Jets interview Doug Marrone for coaching job
Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone talks to players on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 14, 2014 in Orchard Park. Credit: AP
Doug Marrone finally got his day in Florham Park.
The former Bills coach -- who appears to be the frontrunner to replace Rex Ryan -- interviewed at the Jets' facility Saturday with owner Woody Johnson and consultants Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf.
Marrone's interview came a day after the Jets' trio returned from a two-day trip to Seattle, where they sat down with Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and offensive line coach Tom Cable for head-coaching interviews.
The Jets contingent also interviewed Seahawks director of player personnel Trent Kirchner for their general manager vacancy Thursday night.
But Johnson is casting an even wider net than previously thought with his searches.
A source said the Jets asked to meet with Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace for their GM opening. He was in the Saints' front office during Marrone's time as offensive coordinator from 2006-08.
Pace is another addition to the Jets' growing list of GM candidates, which includes Kirchner, Browns personnel executive Bill Kuharich, Eagles director of player personnel Rick Mueller and Texans director of college scouting Mike Maccagnan.
On Friday, a source confirmed that the Jets also requested permission to interview Chiefs director of pro personnel Chris Ballard and Dolphins director of college scouting Chris Grier.
The Jets, who first interviewed Rod Graves, their senior director of football administration, for the GM job to comply with the Rooney Rule requiring teams to interview at least one minority candidate, also were interested in meeting with Vikings assistant GM George Paton and Ravens assistant GM Eric DeCosta. But both declined their request.
As for their head-coaching search, the Jets recently requested permission to interview Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. The Cardinals lost to the Panthers, 27-16, in an NFC wild-card playoff game Saturday, freeing Bowles to discuss openings. But according to NFL.com, Bowles might prefer to join a team in a more "low-key'' city such as Atlanta or Oakland.
Quinn, a native of Morristown, New Jersey, remains a strong contender for head-coaching jobs. He's already fielded interview requests from the Jets, 49ers, Bears, Falcons and Bills. The former Hofstra defensive assistant was on Eric Mangini's coaching staff with the Jets from 2007-08.
Marrone also has strong ties to the tri-state area and the Jets. He grew up in the Bronx, played and coached at Syracuse and was the Jets' offensive line coach from 2002-05. He led the Bills to a 9-7 record in 2014, their first winning season since 2004.
The Jets still plan to meet with Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich in the next few days, and according to NFL.com, the Bills are interviewing him Sunday.
