Packers miss on Nolan

Packers miss on Nolan
January 12
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
"Mike McCarthy's presumed top choice to become his next defensive coordinator is off the market.

The NFL Network reported late Sunday night that former San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan is expected to be named the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos, according to a Broncos team source. Former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was named Broncos head coach on Sunday.

Nolan was the special teams/linebackers coach in Denver from 1987-'92 under former coach Dan Reeves.

Nolan was thought to be the front-runner for the Packers' job that was vacated when Bob Sanders was fired along with five other defensive assistants on Jan. 5. Nolan, who hired McCarthy as his offensive coordinator in San Francisco in 2005, interviewed with McCarthy on Thursday in Green Bay.

McCarthy will likely turn his attention to his two other top candidates: former Jacksonville Jaguars coordinator Gregg Williams and Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach Sean McDermott.

Williams, who was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2001-'03, interviewed with McCarthy on Friday. But the New Orleans Saints appear to be strongly pointing at Williams to replace Gary Gibbs, who was fired on Wednesday.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Sunday that Williams had "extremely strong interest" in the Saints opening, according to Williams' agent, Marvin Demoff.

If McDermott is McCarthy's top choice, McCarthy will have to wait to interview him.

By virtue of the Eagles' 23-11 victory over the New York Giants in a playoff game Sunday, McDermott will be off limits for at least another week.

According to NFL anti-tampering rules, only assistant coaches who are being considered for head coaching jobs are eligible to be interviewed while their teams are still in the playoffs. McDermott would be considered for a defensive coordinator's job, which under NFL rules is a lateral move.

The NFL simplified its rules to break coaching prospects into two groups: those being sought for head coaching jobs and those for assistant coaching jobs. It doesn't matter if it's a promotion from position coach to coordinator, it's still considered a lateral move."
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