ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (Jan. 19, 2006) -- Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton interviewed for the Buffalo Bills coaching job.
The former Bills player and current San Diego Chargers receivers coach is the fourth -- and possibly final -- candidate to meet with team owner Ralph Wilson and general manager Marv Levy in their search to replace Mike Mularkey, who resigned last week.
Former New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett told The Associated Press late on Jan. 18 he has not had any interview requests from the Bills and doesn't know if any will be scheduled.
Haslett, who both played and coached with the Bills, was considered an early candidate for the Buffalo job.
Lofton, who completed his fourth season as a Chargers assistant, spent four of his 16 NFL seasons -- from 1989-92 -- playing for the Levy. Lofton also interviewed for the Oakland Raiders coaching vacancy.
Lofton, however, lacks the head-coaching experience held by two other Buffalo candidates, former Packers coach Mike Sherman and former Bears coach Dick Jauron, who are considered the front-runners for the job.
Sherman interviewed with the Bills on Jan. 18, a day after Jauron, who finished last season as Detroit's interim coach.
Bills special-teams coordinator Bobby April has also interviewed for the job.
Lofton, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003, was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and the first NFL player to score a touchdown in three different decades. He broke into the NFL with the Packers in 1978 and played for the Raiders, Rams and Eagles.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
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