HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans' coaching search continued
Monday with St. Louis Rams assistant coach Al Saunders
interviewing with the NFL expansion club.
Saunders, who has coached receivers in the Rams' explosive
offense for the past two seasons, is a career assistant except for
a head coaching stint with the San Diego Chargers in the 1980s.
After their morning meeting, Saunders complimented Texans
general manager Charley Casserly.
"I tell you what, you've got the right guy here," Saunders
said. "He's unbelievably prepared and thorough."
Saunders also said the team's retractable-roof stadium, under
construction next to the Astrodome, and planned practice facilities
appear first-rate.
"As far as facilities (and) player procurement possibilities,
(the job) is going to be a tremendous opportunity," Saunders said.
Saunders is close to former Rams coach Dick Vermeil and did not
dispel the possibility of returning to the Kansas City Chiefs if
Vermeil take the coaching job there. Saunders coached Chiefs'
receivers from 1989 to 1998, when he was passed over for the top
spot.
An NFL decision was expected Tuesday on how much, if anything,
the Chiefs may have to compensate the Rams to release Vermeil from
his St. Louis contract.
Saunders was a college assistant from 1971 until 1983 when he
arrived in San Diego to coach its receivers. He took over as head
coach midway into the 1986 season and lasted through 1988.
Also Monday, Tennessee defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said
the Texans have asked permission to speak with him regarding the
Houston job, which owner Bob McNair says won't be filled for
another year.
"There's some answers I have to get out of that franchise too
before that interview actually comes about," Williams said.
"There's word out they're going to wait until next year to hire a
head coach. There's some things I've got to find out. If that's
actually so, why are they interviewing me?"
Because of an Feb. 15 league deadline to interview NFL assistants, Casserly says he wants to meet potential candidates now and bring back finalists later.
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell was scheduled
to visit Houston later this week. It was unclear whether Monday's
firing of Buffalo head coach Wade Phillips would alter Cottrell's
plans.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Dom Capers and
University of Miami coach Butch Davis already have met with the
Texans. Other candidates announced by Casserly are Denver offensive
coordinator Gary Kubiak, former Atlanta offensive line coach Art
Shell, Tampa Bay assistant head coach Herman Edwards and Chicago
defensive coordinator Greg Blache.
Also Monday, Texans marketing chief Jamey Rootes said about
21,000 of Reliant Stadium's 69,500 seats remain available as the
team begins a January season-ticket push. Around 60 of 166 suites
are unsold.
A fan survey to choose a mascot begins Tuesday. Uniforms will be
unveiled in September, said Rootes, who added that the club is 19th
among NFL teams in Web page views and 30th in merchandise sales
even though the team won't take the field for another year and a
half.
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