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Raiders coaching staff at a glance: DC spot remains open
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Friday, January 23, 2015 - 12:00pm
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The Raiders hired head coach Jack Del Rio on Jan. 14 and introduced him to the fan base a week ago. Del Rio has been assembling his coaching staff ever since. Several vacancies remain, as of Saturday at noon, including a key spot at defensive coordinator that has taken longer than expected to fill.

Del Rio has solid contacts throughout the league, and continues to use them to compile a list of assistants who can help the Raiders succeed.

Here’s the current status of the 2015 Raiders coaching staff, who has been hired and positions left to be filled:

Head coach
Last season:
Dennis Allen (Saints, defensive assistant); Tony Sparano (49ers, tight ends)
This season: Jack Del Rio
Owner Mark Davis and general manager Reggie McKenzie chose Del Rio over Sparano in a two-man race that was decided midway through last week. The Del Rio hire was lauded, as much for Del Rio’s coaching experience as the return of a proud and athletically accomplished East Bay native.

Del Rio is a defensive-minded coach, but will provide leadership throughout the team that has been rare in recent head-coaching hires.

Offensive coordinator
Last season:
Greg Olson (Jaguars, offensive coordinator)
This season: Bill Musgrave
The Raiders keyed on Marc Trestman early in the process but ended up with Musgrave, who has a history with Del Rio dating back to the 2003-04 days in Jacksonville. That may not be a bad thing. Musgrave has experience in several types of offenses, and wants to blend styles that best fit his talent. He’s known as a power-rushing play caller, but his recent experience working under Chip Kelly could open things up at times.

[RELATED: Musgrave: Carr made Raiders OC job attractive]

Defensive coordinator
Last season:
Jason Tarver (49ers, senior defensive assistant, linebackers)
This season: Vacant
Del Rio is still searching for a defensive coordinator. According to an NFL source, he hoped former Atlanta head coach Mike Smith would quickly take the job. That hasn’t happened. Smith, who was Del Rio’s coordinator for four seasons in Jacksonville, has been weighing his next career move. That move might not come until next season. NBC4 out of Washington, D.C., reports that it’s unlikely Smith will take the job, though it’s still possible he does.

[RELATED: 49ers hire Tarver]

Eric Mangini was interviewed for the position, but has taken the same job with the 49ers.

Mel Tucker is also an option, per an NFL source. He was Del Rio’s coordinator for three seasons. An ESPN report has also mentioned Wade Phillips’ name in connection with this job.

NBC4 has also reported that the Raiders will look to the college ranks to fill this post, and that there's an interview slated for Sunday with a college coach. 

The hiring of this position hasn’t had many leaks, so it’s entirely possible that a surprise candidate emerges as the selection.

Special teams coordinator
Last season:
Bobby April (Jets, special teams coordinator) 
This season: Brad Seely
Seely’s hire was met with praise. The three-time special teams coach of the year comes over from the 49ers, where he spent the last four seasons of an NFL coaching career that began in 1989. He works well with specialists and return/coverage units alike, and Seely could make an impact in the kicking game.

[RELATED: Raiders name Seely special teams coordinator]

Quarterbacks
Last season:
John DeFilippo (Browns, offensive coordinator)
This season: Todd Downing
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr made great strides under DeFilippo as a rookie in 2014. So did Matt Stafford working under Downing for an extended stretch. Downing spent most of his time in Detroit and last year in Buffalo before coming to the Raiders. His role will be vital in the day-to-day development of Carr, a passer the Raiders believe can be the franchise quarterback of the future.

[RELATED: Raiders add Downing]

Offensive line
Last season:
Tony Sparano (49ers, tight ends)
This season: Mike Tice
The Raiders' transition from one respected offensive line coach to another. Tice, the first assistant hired, has a productive history with Del Rio and working with linemen. He also has head-coaching experience, and has been involved with the hiring of other assistants. This was a great pickup.

Receivers
Last season:
Ted Gilmore (contract expired)
This season: Vacant
The Raiders are expected to import fresh perspective at this position, where players underwhelmed in 2013. That wasn’t all Gilmore’s fault -- receivers generally struggled achieving separation -- but Musgrave is expected to find someone new.

Running backs
Last season:
Kelly Skipper (contract expired)
This season: Vacant
Skipper has been coaching Raiders running backs since 2007. To realize how odd that is, let’s put things in perspective. Since he was hired as running backs coach, the Raiders have gone through five head coaches. There’s a possibility he sticks around given his history with the team, but there’s a real chance the team moves on.

Tight ends
Last season:
Mark Hutson (contract expired)
This season: Vacant
Hutson helped Tony Sparano with the offensive line after he was promoted to interim head coach, but senior offensive assistant Al Saunders player a big role with tight ends. It’s uncertain if Saunders returns, or who the Raiders are considering for this post.

Defensive line
Last season:
Terrell Williams (University of Florida, defensive line)
This season: Vacant
This is the only primary defensive assistant position that remains open despite the fact that the team still doesn’t have a coordinator.

Linebackers
Last season:
Bob Sanders (contract expired)
This season: Sal Sunseri
Sunseri’s addition was announced on Friday morning. He comes from Florida State University, where he was coaching defensive ends. He coached the defensive line in his only NFL gig, with the Carolina Panthers, but has extensive experience coaching linebackers at the college level.

[RELATED: Raiders name Sunseri]

Secondary
Last season:
Joe Woods (contract expired)
This season: Marcus Robertson
Robertson earned rave reviews as assistant secondary coach, where he primarily worked with safeties. Now he’s in charge of the entire defensive backfield. While there may not be many -- if any -- others retained from last year’s staff, keeping Robertson was a smart choice.

  

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