2010 Raiders: 10 Rumored Coaching Candidates

A lot of people are fed up with this years Raiders coaching. Not to mention the play calling, constant drama and many distractions.

Consensus says that Raiders head coach Tom Cable is done.

In turn rumors of who will be the Raiders coach in 2010 are spreading like wild fire.

Here is a look at some of the Raider coaching rumors that have been out there.

Rich Gannon

Earlier this year, as fans were disgusted with play calling, a 1-4 record and three consecutive blow-outs, rumors began to surface that Tom Cable would be fired and Rich Gannon would be named interim head coach.

Sorry Gannon fans; not going to happen. Gannon has no coaching experience whatsoever. If he was a coach, it would be in a QB coach capacity.

Gannon has also said that he has been reaching out to JaMarcus Russell; offering to tutor him completely at his own expense. Russell is still yet to acknowledge these offers.

Sorry again Gannon fans; it isn't going to happen. Gannon isn't exactly on good terms with the Raiders. They have tried to ban him two years in a row prior to Chief games, because of things he has said about the Raiders organization.

Russell likely has been told by the likes of John Herrara, not to associate with Gannon and not to engage in communication with him. If Russell were to accept his help, that would be complete insubordination. This in turn would put Russell in the dog house and possibly out of Oakland.

Mike Holmgren

Mike Holmgren lives in Santa Clara in the off-season and loves the Bay Area. Many believe his dream is to coach or GM in the Bay. With Singletary in San Francisco he isn't going there leaving Oakland as the next best thing.

Too bad he's currently in negotiations with the Cleveland Browns.

Mike Shanahan

Just kidding—No way in hell that would happen. Same goes for Herm Edwards, Marty Shotemheimer and John Madden.

Bill Cowher

It would be a dream come true to Raider fans. But would he be willing to deal with Al Davis.

Here's what he had to say when asked if he was entertaining the idea of coaching in the NFL next year:

"I've spoken to no teams and I don't intend to do so while there is a current head coach."

"Listen, this is a pivotal time of the year and these coaches deserve to have the full support of their organizations, so I'm telling you, I've talked to nobody."

The Buffalo Bills reportedly approached him though he denied giving them an audience, as not to offend the Bills current coach.

Could he be the Raiders next head coach? And is he even interested in coaching again?

Marc Trestman

He has a great football resume and is an offensive minded coach. He was the Raiders QB coach in 2001 and offensive coordinator in 2002 when the Raiders lost in the Super-Bowl.

Trestman was interviewed for the 2009 offensive coordinator position. Unfortunately the Raiders denied Trestman in favor of—oh wait,thats right—nobody. The Raiders forgot to hire an offensive coordinator this year.

Charlie Weis

Another Bill Belichek disciple on a long list which includes: Rob Ryan, Eric Mangini, Josh McDaniels, Romeo Crennel, and Nick Saban.

How many of those guys fell flat on their face after leaving the Patriots.

Charlie Weis sure did. As he has spent the last three years running Notre Dame's football program into the ground.

But despite all that, Charlie says six NFL teams are interested in his services. Could one of those six be the Raiders?

Kevin Gilbride

Kevin Gilbride is the Giants offensive coordinator.

Allegedly, he and Al Davis had a 90-minute interview regarding the Raiders coaching job.

The Raiders later denied that he was even considered and John Herrara had this to say:

"Mr. Davis has known Kevin for a long time and was more than willing to oblige and have that conversation," Herrera said. "They had an interesting hour-and-a-half conversation Saturday at Gilbride's request. End of story."

“We did not seek permission to interview Kevin Gilbride,” Herrera said. “The Raiders received a letter from Gilbride’s agent seeking a phone conversation with Mr. Davis.”

Sounds like the Raiders were trying to avoid being fined for breaking the rules, as Gilbride was still under contract with the giants.

One things for sure, at least Gilbride knows how to use three running backs.

Jim Harbaugh

Harbaugh and Al Davis are on good terms and Harbaugh loves local sports, including the Raiders. He has also coached with the Raiders for two years in the past.

Last year he was the supposed front runner to receive the job after Cable went 4-8 as an interim head coach. Instead the Raiders kept Cable.

At least Harbaugh would know how to get our run game back on track, as he runs the most power-oriented running games in the Pac-10, as well as one of the best in college football.

Some sources say that Harbaugh is happy with Stanford though and isn't leaving.

Jon Gruden

The clear fan favorite.

Fans are in full support of a Gruden return. He has only fueled the fire as he is one of the few people who has not bad-mouthed the Raiders organization in the last seven years. He made a "that's how we do things" comment covering the Raiders draft.

And then there was rumor that arose after Gruden attended the Raider reunion in San Leandro on Monday afternoon.

Supposedly Jim Otto and Jon Gruden, who were both in attendance at the party, spoke. Gruden allegedly told Otto he would be willing to come back to Oakland. All Al Davis has to do is ask.

Jim Fassel

Fassell clearly wants to be a Raider coach. Hes been interviewed for the job twice and denied both times. Maybe the third times the charm.

So clearly he is on Al Davis' radar, at least as a last resort.

The rumor has gained some momentum as the Raiders just signed Fassell's UFL quarterback JP Losman. There is no way Losman plays this year; there just isn't enough time to learn an offense.

By giving him a 2009 contract, the Raiders secured the right to sign him next year before any other team can negotiate with him.

In turn, they have secured him for next year and some have suggested in doing so they also secured Jim Fassell as the next Raiders head coach.