Rumor: Detroit Interested in Schottenheimer

The Detroit Free Press says Brian Schottenheimer is one of the names interesting new Lions head coach Jim Schwartz as a potential offensive coordinator along with Denver's Jeremy Bates.

That said, the Lions will start asking teams for permission to talk to assistant coaches today, and the Free Press has confirmed that Schwartz is strongly considering Denver’s Jeremy Bates and the New York Jets’ Brian Schottenheimer for offensive coordinator.

If Schottenheimer doesn’t get the Jets’ head coaching job, the Jets will let him out of his contract. The Jets are reportedly waiting to hire Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. The Ravens are in Sunday’s AFC title game.

Jets ownership may love Schottenheimer, but the Mike Heimerdinger episode showed Mike Tannenbaum and Woody Johnson that they cannot force an assistant who wants out to stay, even if said assistant is under contract. With that said, it is utterly ridiculous that Schottenheimer would demand to be released from his contract if he does not land the Jets head job. He does not have the kind of track record to have the kind of ego to demand the head coaching job or his release. If the Jets want him back in any capacity, Brian should be thrilled. He was a big part of the collapse and frankly earned himself a pink slip.

This would be Detroit's loss and the Jets' gain. It would potentially open the door for a Bill Callahan promotion. Perhaps he would be less averse to establishing the run and getting Leon Washington involved in the offense.