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ALAMEDA – Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano talks to owner Mark Davis quite frequently. The two have build a quality working relationship over the past few months based upon candid conversations about the organization and its personnel.
Even as this season’s approached its end, conversations have focused on the task at hand. They haven’t discussed an uncertain period that begins after Sunday’s game at the Denver Broncos.
Sparano is the interim head coach through that contest, but the Raiders will seek a permanent solution after the regular season ends. As of Monday afternoon, the men hadn’t discussed Sparano’s future with the team.
“We’ve had good conversations. Conversations that I hope and assume will continue at some point, but no,” Sparano said. “His goal, my goal, is plain and simple. Last week we had two games left. This week we have one game left. The goal is to make sure we’re doing the right things. I’ve got a ton of work to do upstairs. He’s got a ton of work that has to be done right now. There’s time at the end of this (season) to make those decisions. I’m sure he and I will communicate here again. We talked a little bit last night.”
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While it’s believed that Davis has interest in a big-name head coach, Sparano has done an admirable keeping the team together despite an 0-10 and deserves credit for winning three of the last five games.
The dialogue must be positive after Sunday’s win over the Buffalo Bills, the team’s third straight home win. Sparano insisted on discussions with Davis when he was promoted to interim head coach – Dennis Allen did not have regular talks with Davis due to a rigidly linear power structure that has softened some – and they’ve proven beneficial as Sparano has navigated this season.
“When Mark and I sat down and visited the day that I took over here, we had an open and honest conversation about that,” Sparano said. “He agreed that that’s what we needed to do, and it’s been great – 100 percent great for me. No matter what the man tells me, it’s helpful. It really is, because he’s got great history and he’s got some great insight. He really does. I like to listen to it and I like to share mine, and we’ve been able to bounce things back and forth that way. It’s been really productive.
“…We’ve had really good conversations – good, honest conversations. I love his passion for this team and I share it. It’s kind of contagious.”
