Oakland Raiders 01/23/2007 9:01 AMThe Contra Costa Times reports the Raiders and USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin agreed to a multiyear contract Monday that makes Kiffin the youngest coach in the NFL and in franchise history, two people close to the process confirmed. Kiffin's deal is believed to be for three years, with two one-year club options. The Raiders announced the hiring on their Web site Monday evening and have scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. today.Read more
Dallas Cowboys 01/23/2007 8:58 AMThe Star-Telegram reports as early as 8:30 a.m. Monday, Bill Parcells was paranoid that one of his former assistant coaches might have taken an offensive or defensive playbook with him, never to be returned. Less than three hours later, Parcells retired. The man hired four years ago to restore the varnish on the Dallas Cowboys is gone without a single playoff win. "It was just time," Parcells told the Star-Telegram. "When you are giving up your life's work... you gotta remember, I've been doing this since 1964. It's hard.... No, it didn't end the way we wanted [it] to go." Sources said a contract extension between the two sides was being discussed but ultimately fell through. Parcells wanted an extension. Owner Jerry Jones was willing to talk. But apparently there was an agreement to disagree.Read more
Cincinnati Bengals 01/23/2007 8:53 AMThe Dayton Daily News reports CB Johnathan Joseph became the first Bengal arrested in 2007 when he was charged with possession of marijuana in Florence, Ky., early Monday. Joseph, the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2006, is the ninth Cincinnati player arrested in eight months. "We don't comment on these matters when they're unresolved," club spokesman Jack Brennan said. "We don't believe it's appropriate when it's still at the level of charges." A Boone County sheriff's arrest report said Joseph, 22, of Union, Ky., was the passenger in a car driven by a woman who was pulled over for weaving and driving slowly on U.S 42 at 2:15 a.m. The woman was arrested for reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.Read more
Pittsburgh Steelers 01/22/2007 3:07 PMNFL.com wire reports Mike Tomlin, the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers -- the first black head coach in the team's 74-year history. He accepted the job Sunday night and the hiring was announced Monday, with the contract to be completed later in the day. He was negotiating a four-year contract expected to pay him about $2.5 million a year.Read more
