As the Buffalo Bills wait for former University of Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt to make a decision about his coaching future, a former head coach of their own - Dick Jauron - will play a key role as Buffalo looks to add Wannstedt to its coaching staff.
Jauron and Wannstedt both are scheduled to interview with the Cleveland Browns for that team's vacant defensive coordinator position this week. One report suggests that Jauron was in town to interview with Mike Holmgren and Pat Shurmur on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Wannsted scheduled to interview today along with former Arizona coordinator Billy Davis (per Adam Schefter).
The Philadelphia Eagles also factor into this equation. Jauron, who was Philly's defensive backs coach in 2010, is a candidate to replace recently fired coordinator Sean McDermott, per NFL.com's Albert Breer. A CSN Philly report indicates that if Jauron gets an offer to become Cleveland's defensive coordinator, he'll discuss the situation with Eagles coach Andy Reid, who may be able to convince Jauron to stay in the same capacity at that point in time.
Today, Philadelphia requested permission to interview Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Dean Pees for its defensive coordinator position, prompting some to wonder whether or not the team will move to the 3-4 defense.
Clearly, this situation is still very fluid, but Jauron is just as much of a factor in this race as Wannstedt is. Wannstedt, as far as we know, is the only coach that Chan Gailey and his staff have spoken with regarding a possible role on the defensive side of the football. Where Jauron lands will have a big impact on Wannstedt's potential availability.