Oakland Raiders to Hold Open Tryout for New Head Coach in 2009

Al Davis shared his intentions to host the NFL's first ever open tryout for a head coaching job with reporters early Thursday morning. "We find diamonds in the rough all the time when we're looking for players. Why can't it work for coaches?" asked Davis. "I was watching this show called American Idol where people give there all, and I got inspired. It's a lot of fun," admitted Davis. "I can watch people try, fail, and fire them on the spot." Disappointed with the way the 2008 season turned out, Davis insisted that his decision wasn't anything personal against Tom Cable. The interim head coach has done "everything asked of him" since taking over the team, but Davis believes his Raiders are "in desperate need of a unique spark." Beginning immediately Monday morning following the Raiders' final game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Davis intends to meet with "any and every person" who arrives at their facilities over the course of the next month. "If you have a real plan, we'll have a ... (link)