ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (Jan. 18, 2006) -- Former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman interviewed with the Buffalo Bills, bringing the team a step closer to hiring its new head coach.
Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold confirmed Sherman met with the team at its headquarters, but wouldn't provide details.
Sherman was the third candidate, and second with NFL head-coaching experience, to interview for the job to replace Mike Mularkey. Detroit Lions interim coach Dick Jauron, who previously spent five years as head coach of the Chicago Bears, has also interviewed with the Bills.
Jauron and Sherman are considered the front-runners, providing team owner Ralph Wilson and new general manager Marv Levy a clear choice of whether to go with an offensive- or defensive-minded coach. Jauron, a former Pro Bowl defensive back, is a defensive specialist while Sherman has solely coached offense.
Sherman wasn't available for comment.
The team also interviewed Bills special teams coordinator Bobby April.
No other interviews are known to be scheduled, but the Bills haven't interviewed a minority candidate, a requirement under NFL rules.
Vikings defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who is black, told The Associated Press he hasn't been contacted by the Bills. Cottrell was initially considered a candidate because of his ties to the team. He twice coached under Levy as an assistant in Buffalo, and served as defensive coordinator from 1998-2000.
Sherman had a 57-39 record in six seasons with the Packers before he was fired following a 4-12 finish this season -- the only year he had a losing record. Sherman also had a 2-4 playoff record, leading the Packers to the postseason in four consecutive years, 2001-04.
Sherman also served as Packers general manager before being stripped of that title a year ago.
