Who's next?
I see where Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera said he wanted to remain with the Bears after getting passed over by Dallas.
Rivera's contract expires Feb. 20. Chicago will certainly bring him back. Unless ...
Rivera wouldn't look bad along the San Diego sideline. But is someone with no head coaching experience the right move to take over a 14-2 team that could have some 90-plus percent of its roster back and was the betting favorite to win Super Bowl XLII on the day following XLI?
Other options:
John Gruden has one year left in Tampa, where he won a Super Bowl with Tony Dungy's team (beating his Oakland team), but hasn't done much since.
Bill Parcells has been retired long enough but would he get along with AJ Smith?
Bill Cowher probably hasn't spent enough time with his daughters in the Carolinas to seriously consider a move across the country. Give him another couple of days.
What about Pete Carroll?
The Reggie Bush issue isn't going away. Now Joe McKnight's recruitment is under examination. All these pesky NCAA geeks hovering about. Yikes!
Pete wouldn't look bad in powder blue. And don't forget, Schottenheimer turned down an extension of $4.3 million. My goodness, that trumps Nick Saban 'Bama cash. Ya gotta think a similar offer would be very tempting to always-looking-for-a-challenge Pete.
And, imagine the AFC West Division battles between the Carroll-led Chargers against the Lane Kiffin-led Raiders?
Let's review:
A. 14-2 team with most of its roster returning
B. MVP running back
C. Young, talented quarterback
D. Deep and talented defense
E. Hire your own coordinators (maybe)
F. No NCAA geeks
G. Get to beat the Raiders twice every year
H. Increase your salary (by at least $1.3 mil, we guess)
I. No more country-crossing recruiting missions
J. Reggie Bush no longer an issue (unless you're playing the Saints)
Tempting, tempting, tempting