Lions interested in Martz for OC

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Martz in talks after withdrawing from Raiders' searchBy Chris Mortensen and John Clayton

ESPN.com

Two days after interviewing with the Raiders, Mike Martz pulled his name from consideration for Oakland's head coaching job and is now contemplating whether or not to join the Detroit Lions' staff.

Martz

Martz is talking to the Lions about becoming their offensive coordinator and will attempt to make a decision no later than Monday.

Earlier this month the Lions hired Rod Marinelli to be their new head coach. Marinelli filled the other coordinator job on Tuesday when former Jets defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson was hired in the same capacity.

Deciding who to hire as offensive coordinator will be a critical decision for the Lions, given the ongoing instability at the quarterback position.

Marinelli wanted to discuss the job with former Bills coach Mike Mularkey, but Mularkey accepted an offer from the Dolphins last Sunday to run their offense.

Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt remains the leading candidate to be the Raiders' new head coach. Although he's interested, there is no guarantee Whisenhunt will take the job; the Raiders cannot interview Whisenhunt until after the Super Bowl.

Martz led the Rams to four playoff berths and a Super Bowl championship in six seasons. He was fired the day after the season ended because of continuing disagreements with the front office.

Martz and the Rams reached a settlement believed to be about half the $3.25 million he was owed for the final year of a three-year contract.

Martz, who interviewed in New Orleans for the head coaching job that went to Sean Payton earlier this month, missed the last 11 games of the season with endocarditis, a bacterial infection of a heart valve. However, he said his health is not a concern and he's in no hurry to get another job.

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