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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NFL notes: 49ers, Raiders, Jets turn to defensive coaches

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The New York Jets stuck with defense. The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders are giving it a try, too.

The Jets hired Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as head coach , the 49ers promoted longtime defensive line coach Jim Tomsula, and the Raiders turned to Denver defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Denver, Atlanta and Chicago still have openings. On Wednesday, John Fox interviewed with Chicago, two days after parting ways with Denver.

Tomsula replaces Jim Harbaugh, who parted ways with the 49ers on Dec. 28 in what the team called a “mutual decision.” San Francisco went 8-8 this season and missed the playoffs.

The Jets made it official with Bowles a day after hiring former Houston director of college scouting Mike Maccagnan as general manager. They fired Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik on Dec. 29 following a 4-12 finish.

“I am confident that Todd and Mike Maccagnan are the right combination to lead this team,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said.

Del Rio, a former NFL linebacker, was the head coach in Jacksonville for nine seasons before spending the past three as Denver’s defensive coordinator.

Oakland went 3-9 under interim head coach Tony Sparano after losing the first four games under Dennis Allen.

Ryan ended up in Buffalo on Monday and was as brash and bold as ever at his first news conference.

Outlining his objectives, Ryan said the job is his last chance to prove himself. He vowed to build the Bills into “a bully” and said he has an additional chip on his shoulder after being fired by the Jets.

Bowles becomes the fifth current black head coach in the NFL, joining Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis, Tampa Bay’s Lovie Smith and Detroit’s Jim Caldwell.

A person with knowledge of the situation said former Dallas and Buffalo head coach Chan Gailey will be Bowles’ offensive coordinator. Gailey was out of football the last two seasons after being fired as the Bills’ coach after the 2012 season.

Colts starting CB duo misses practice

The top two cornerbacks for the Indianapolis Colts, Vontae Davis and Greg Toler, both missed practice because of injuries.

Indianapolis coach Chuck Pagano said Davis hurt his knee. Toler sat out with a groin injury.

Quick kicks

Prosecutors in Indianapolis filed charges of rape, criminal confinement with bodily injury and battery resulting in bodily injury against backup Colts linebacker Josh McNary… Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson is replacing injured Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy in the Pro Bowl… Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is the winner of the 2015 Bart Starr Award, given annually to a player who exemplified leadership and character on and off the field.