Keeping Shanahan May Prove Costly

The best assistant on the NFL’s best team moves into a head coaching position. That’s become an NFL automatic each January.

In 1993, it was Dave Wannstedt, who left the Dallas Cowboys to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears. In 1994, it was Norv Turner, who left to become head coach of the Washington Redskins. Now it appears to be Mike Shanahan’s turn.

Shanahan is the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers and has been mentioned as a candidate for the head coaching positions at Denver, Seattle and Philadelphia.

But Shanahan won’t be talking to anyone about any job until after the 49ers complete their season. Dom Capers, the defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, spoke with the Carolina Panthers, a move that cost the expansion team two draft picks and $150,000 last week.

“It’s always nice to be mentioned,” Shanahan said. “But at the same time, it’s all speculation until you’ve finished your season.”

Shanahan is attractive for three reasons - his success with the San Francisco offense, his age (42) and the fact that he already has NFL head-coaching experience (with the Raiders from 1988-89).

Shanahan had been the offensive coordinator at Denver in the mid1980s, and the Broncos tried to hire him back as their head coach in 1992. But the 49ers kept Shanahan by bestowing on him a new contract with more years and considerably more money. The Broncos wound up hiring Wade Phillips, but he lasted just two seasons. So Shanahan is again their top candidate. Seattle also wants a chance to talk to him.

The X factor in Shanahan’s future is the 49ers. They could keep him again - but it would take more than money this time. They could offer him George Seifert’s job as coach.

If the 49ers fail to reach the Super Bowl, such a coaching change would not be out of the question. Even if Seifert wins his second Super Bowl, it still wouldn’t be out of the question. Seifert is 54 … and the 49ers do not want to lose Shanahan. Repeat, the 49ers do not want to lose Mike Shanahan.

Scapegoat in Buffalo

Another NFL defensive coordinator has been scapegoated because his team failed to live up to expectations. Two weeks ago, it was Steve Sidwell by New Orleans. This time, it was Walt Corey, who was fired by the Buffalo Bills.

In 1993, Corey lost two starting linebackers in free agency when Pro Bowler Shane Conlan jumped to the Rams and Carlton Bailey to the Giants. Then, in 1994, Corey lost all three of his veteran corners. The Bills let Pro Bowler Nate Odomes go to Seattle in free agency, traded James Williams and released Kirby Jackson. Buffalo also waived free safety Mark Kelso, their third alltime leading interceptor.

The Bills made no effort in free agency to help Corey, forcing him to play younger, less experienced players. Still, the Bills finished 17th in the NFL in defense an improvement of 10 spots from 1993.

Buffalo failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1987 because of its high-powered, highly paid offense. The Bills finished eighth in the NFL in turnovers with 34 and managed fewer than 20 points in nine of their 16 games.

Now Buffalo has shown interest in Rusty Tillman, who was on Tom Flores’ staff in Seattle.

Tackle-friendly draft

NFL teams needing an offensive tackle will find plenty available in the 1994 NFL draft. Early scouting reports indicate as many as six could go in the first two rounds: Tony Boselli of Southern Cal, Matt O’Dwyre of Northwestern, Reuben Brown of Pitt, Corey Stringer of Ohio State, Brian DeMarco of Michigan State and Blake Brockermeyer of Texas.

Method to their madness

When the Panthers blatantly broke the rule of no contact with assistant coaches, they did it for a reason.

The Panthers were afraid Capers was going to be hired by a college, which is not subject to the rule.

Seems odd that the Panthers have been in business 15 months, they held off all this time hiring a coach, and then get nailed for breaking the rules. It’s the first time the league has docked a team multiple picks, but it’s not the biggest hit. The Dolphins lost a No. 1 pick for signing Don Shula 25 years ago.

The Bengals have lost two assistant coaches to the Panthers: Offensive-line coach Jim McNally, one of the best in the business, and wide receivers coach Richard Williamson. Typically, the Bengals are not replacing either, just adding further responsibilities to coaches on the staff.

End notes

Denver is at least going to make a phone call to Joe Gibbs. But if Gibbs wasn’t interested in coaching in Charlotte, where his racing team is based, he’s unlikely to be interested in going to Denver. The Broncos have also called Buffalo assistant Elijah Pitts, the former Packers running back….

A woman accused Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin of assaulting her in a nightclub parking lot.

Heidi Marie Thomas, 19, of Plano, filed a complaint with Dallas police Friday, accusing Irvin of fondling her outside the Iguana Mirage about 13 months ago.

Thomas also filed a lawsuit against Irvin on Wednesday, seeking $5 million in damages.

“How else do you get Michael Irvin not to do this again?” her Dallas attorney said.

- Other wire services contributed to this report.