Change of Plans: Cowboys Pursuing Hue Jackson, but Role is Unlcear
By Jason Marcum
Dec 11, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson watches on the sidelines in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
UPDATE
Calvin Watkins is now reporting that the Cowboys have already held discussions with Jackson, and could add him to their staff as something other than the offensive coordinator:
"Also, multiple sources said the Cowboys have held discussions with former Oakland Raiders coach Hue Jackson about joining the staff in some capacity on offense. Originally the discussions revolved around Jackson becoming the offensive coordinator but they now have moved toward possibly adding Jackson to another position."
Maybe the Cowboys should pay more attention to defensive tackle Jay Ratliff, who was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Grapevine, Texas today.
With all of the open offensive coordinator positions filling up around the NFL, there was still one potential team that could steal away assistant coach Hue Jackson, and that was the Dallas Cowboys, who have been desperately trying to convince head coach Jason Garret to give up his play-calling duties and hire an OC, and Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com reported that Jackson could become a candidate for that role.
But the Cowboys have opted to stay in-house, and OC Bill Callahan will call the offensive plays in 2013 instead of Garrett. There are no more open OC jobs to speak of, and barring another team coming in and offering Hue a higher-paying position elsewhere, he’ll be in Cincinnati through 2013, and could soon thereafter become the OC if Jay Gruden is to leave for a head-coaching job elsewhere. It also means the Bengals will likely retain their entire coaching staff.
However, he’ll have to be resigned first, as the contract he signed with the Bengals last season was just for one year:
Hue is on a 1-year deal. It's running out. But hasn't t yet. Teams still ask permission RT @TomRyleBTB: @RapSheet That's confusing. explain.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2013
Basically, as long as he’s under contract, NFL teams still had to ask for permission to interview him, as the Carolina Panthers did before ultimately passing on him.
Want more Bengals news? Like Stripe Hype on Facebook, or grab our RSS feed.