Crennel, Belichick's defensive coordinator, is on nearly everyone's list as a head-coaching candidate.

That report almost certainly made Tarkanian less desirable as a head-coaching candidate at San Diego State, where he supposedly was a front-runner.

After having been labeled a head-coaching candidate for several years, Tony Dungy today became the sixth coach in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 20-year history.

Maybe then all those black head-coaching candidates will be considered just head-coaching candidates.

Lewis is a frequent head-coaching candidate and was interviewed this week by the Miami Dolphins, who are looking to replace Nick Saban.

The only hitch could be if Jordan and Lynam, both head-coaching candidates in their own right, did not return as assistants.

For proof, they point to something Young does with almost all head-coaching candidates during initial interviews: he gives them a copy of the general manager's contract, which outlines Young's responsibilities and job definitions.

Edwards was considered by many in the league to be a viable head-coaching candidate.

When Dungy was first considered a head-coaching candidate, he said, the barrier might not have been race, but style.

Since then, New England has interviewed four head-coaching candidates, but none for the dual roles.