The last time the Raiders hired a head coach, owner Mark Davis had little or no involvement in the process. This time around, Davis could be heavily involved.
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News reports, based on a “brief conversation” with Davis, that Davis plans not to delegate the hiring process to others. Per Kawakami, Davis never felt a “connection” with former coach Dennis Allen, and Davis plans to avoid that dynamic in the coming coaching search.
As to the possibility that the Raiders will hire 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, Davis declined comment, citing the league’s tampering rules. (That was a smart move by Davis; Harbaugh remains under contract with the 49ers through 2015. Or, as a practical matter, through Monday.)
Davis also could be involved in the search for a new G.M.; regarding the status of Reggie McKenzie, Davis said that everyone is being evaluated.
Everyone, of course, except the owner. For several teams, hiring a new owner could be exactly what the franchise needs.