Jan 6, 2009 8:05 am US/Eastern
Jets Plan To Interview Cardinals' Grimm
BC Coach Jagodzinski Also Contacted; School Reportedly Threatens To Fire Him If He Goes Through With It
NEW YORK (AP) ―
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Arizona offensive line coach Russ Grimm will soon be interviewed for the Jets' head coaching position.
AP
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The New York Jets will interview Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm on Thursday in Arizona about their coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the search told The Associated Press on Monday.
Grimm, 49, is in his second season with the Cardinals, who play at Carolina in the NFC divisional playoffs Saturday. Both Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum will make the trip to Arizona for the interview, according to the person, who requested anonymity because the individual wasn't authorized to discuss the search.
Grimm will join Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, and Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan as candidates who have interviewed to replace the fired Eric Mangini.
Johnson was out of the country during the first three interviews, but kept in constant contact with Tannenbaum about the coaching search and was back at the Jets' facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Monday, the person told The AP.
Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski has also been invited to interview for the job, a school official told The AP, and the school has reportedly threatened to fire him if he goes through with it.
Athletic director Gene DeFilippo wouldn't confirm that he gave Jagodzinski an ultimatum, but ESPN.com reported Sunday night that the coach would not be welcome to return if he seeks work in the NFL.
A BC official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the school was not commenting publicly, said the former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator committed to stay in Chestnut Hill longer than two years when he was hired.
The Jets declined comment through a team spokesman, neither confirming nor denying that Jagodzinski was interviewing for the coaching vacancy.
A call to Jagodzinski's office was referred to BC media relations, and was not returned.
The Jets have also received permission to speak with Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, but had not determined a day to meet. The Ravens play at Tennessee in the AFC divisional playoffs Saturday.
No other interviews were scheduled as of Monday night.
Grimm was a four-time Pro Bowl guard in 11 seasons with Washington, and then spent nine years as an assistant with the Redskins. He beefed up his coaching resume three seasons ago when he coached the offensive line that helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win a Super Bowl.
He was a finalist for the Pittsburgh job before last season, when Mike Tomlin got the position. After Ken Whisenhunt was hired as Arizona's coach, he brought along Grimm from Pittsburgh to serve as his assistant.
In 2007, Grimm's offensive line allowed only 24 sacks, the fewest given up by the Cardinals since 1978 with 22.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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