Can't believe that this guy hasn't gotten a head job yet. This would be a great development (albeit short-lived): http://www.titansonline.com/ Titans, Chow discuss offensive coordinator job By Teresa M. Walker The Associated Press Chow, right, has helped coach Matt Leinart into being one of the nation's top quarterbacks. NASHVILLE, TN, Feb. 3, 2005 -- USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who was mentioned, but rarely interviewed, for several college head coaching positions, is now being sought by an NFL franchise. The Tennessee Titans are currently engaged in talks with Chow, who thinks an NFL position would help him get a college coaching job, ESPN.com's Ivan Maisel reports. At age 58, he still longs to run his own program -- an opportunity that would enable him to become his sport's first Asian-American head coach. Sources told the Los Angeles Times that Chow is expected to speak with Titans coach Jeff Fisher, a former Trojan, as early as Thursday and the two might meet in Nashville this weekend. Chow is considered the leading candidate to fill the Titans' offensive coordinator post, vacated by Mike Heimerdinger, who left to serve in the same capacity with the New York Jets. Chow, who is one of the highest-paid assistant coaches at the college level, earning about $500,000 a year, told the Times he'd "have to be" interested in the Titans' opening. Trojans coach Pete Carroll likely will have to restructure his staff because of several departures since USC won its second straight national title with a win over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron left to coach Mississippi, and took with him graduate assistant Dennis Slutak, who worked with special teams. Quarterbacks coach Carl Smith was hired as the Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator, and offensive line coach Tim Davis is also in talks with several NFL teams, according to the Times. Chow has had only three known interviews for college head-coaching positions -- at Kentucky, Arizona and Stanford. Arizona chose Mike Stoops, the brother of Oklahoma coach Bobby Stoops, a year ago, and Stanford picked Walt Harris three weeks ago. "Very disappointing," Chow said of not being selected by Stanford. "But it lasted all of about two minutes. What can you do?" His name came up again when Paul Pasqualoni was fired as the coach at Syracuse by new athletic director Daryl Gross, who left his post as associate athletic director at USC. "I just think it's the wrong thing for me to pluck someone out of the program I just left," Gross said at the time. "That would be inappropriate." Syracuse later hired Texas co-defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. Chow spent 27 years at Brigham Young, working with such quarterbacks as Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer, Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Marc Wilson and Robbie Bosco. He left after the 1999 season and spent one year at North Carolina State, working with standout quarterback Philip Rivers. He was hired by the Trojans before the 2001 season.
Pete Carroll can't stand Chow getting so much credit for USC's success. He wants to "promote" Chow to assistant head coach and then hire a new offensive coordinator so he can wrest control of the offense from Chow. It's a classic battle of egos and another example of petty jealousy ruining a great team. Pete doesn't know offense, but he's not smart enough to realize it. Chuck Amato got jealous of Chow at NC State and told everyone who would listen that the Wolf Pack's offense would continue to light it up when Chow was gone. When Chow left, NC State went right back to sucking. Chow isn't without blame, though. From all reports, he's not easy to work with, but he's the best college OC their is.
