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| Tuesday, January 16 Associated Press | |||
| HOUSTON -- Art Shell, who resigned earlier this month after four years as offensive line coach of the Atlanta Falcons, on Tuesday became the seventh coach to interview for the head coaching position with the expansion Houston Texans, who begin play in 2002.
"I think my record speaks for itself, I have a lot to offer,"
Shell said. "I've been involved as a head coach and I believe I
understand what it takes to put an organization together. From what
I've heard and seen, this is a great organization whether I'm here
or not."
Shell was the third candidate interviewed by the Texans in four
days. Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was in
Houston Monday. Wade Phillips, fired last week as Buffalo Bills
coach, was in town Saturday.
The Texans don't plan to name a coach until after next season.
"I think they want to find the right guy, whoever it is, and I
like to feel that I have those qualifications," Shell said. "They
asked me a lot of questions about how I would do things like
offseason programs and how I'd do this or that."
The Texans also have interviewed Ted Cottrell, Phillips'
defensive coordinator at Buffalo; Jacksonville defensive
coordinator Dom Capers, University of Miami coach Butch Davis and
St. Louis assistant head coach Jim Saunders.
Shell, 54, quit Jan. 3 as offensive line coach at Atlanta, which finished 4-12 this season and where the offensive line yielded 61 sacks, second-most in the NFL. The Falcons averaged 3.5 yards per rushing play.
"You come to a point in life where it's time to move on,"
Shell said. "The last two years haven't been good for the Falcons
or for me and when your group isn't performing well, it's time to
move on."
Shell was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1989. He played
on two Super Bowl teams with the Raiders and was an eight-time
All-Pro offensive guard. He was coach of the Raiders from
1989-1994, compiling a 54-38 record and the 1990 AFC West title.
Shell was offensive line coach with the Kansas City Chiefs in
1995 and 1996 before joining coach Dan Reeves' staff with the
Falcons.
"They aren't going to make a decision now, but hopefully I'll be in the process down the road," Shell said.
| ALSO SEE
Broncos' Kubiak interviewed by expansion TexansPhillips interested in a return home to Texans | ||