Gibbs can move forward in search

The Washington Redskins finally are ready to exit the holding pattern in their search for assistant coaches.

The Buffalo Bills have hired Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as coach, ESPN.com reported last night. If true, the move means Washington soon should know whether it can meet with its targeted group of Bills assistants.

The Bills wouldn’t let assistants interview with other teams while choosing their coach. Before settling on Mularkey over Charlie Weis of the New England Patriots, Buffalo wanted to give the incoming coach the chance to keep most of the defensive staff intact. The Bills’ defense ranked No.2 last season.

It was good news for Redskins coach Joe Gibbs and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams that the Bills’ decision came relatively quickly. If the Bills had chosen Weis, he might not have been available until after the Feb.1 Super Bowl.

Williams, the Bills’ coach from 2001 to 2003, would like to reunite with former defensive assistants like coordinator Jerry Gray, line coach Tim Krumrie and linebackers coach Donnie Blackmon. The Redskins are seeking Gray as defensive backs coach, an NFL source said, and they apparently have prepared a lucrative offer for him.

A published report mentioned the NFL Coaches Association sending a letter to the Bills regarding their blocked assistants. NFLCA executive director Larry Kennan said the letter is standard operating procedure; this year it also was sent to the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders, two other teams waiting for head coaches and not allowing assistants to interview elsewhere.

The NFLCA’s primary goal, Kennan said, is to alter current rules regarding benefits for coaches. If a coach is fired, he receives his salary for the remainder of his contract but does not receive medical benefits or accrue years toward his pension.

Meanwhile, an NFL source said longtime NFL offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese is set to join Gibbs’ staff. The move had been suggested since the day Gibbs held his introductory news conference, but because Gibbs did not formally announce it with his other hires, it was unclear whether it was official. Zampese actually agreed to join the staff late last week, a source said.

Zampese and Gibbs worked together in 1979 and 1980 on Don Coryell’s San Diego Chargers staff. Among other coaching stops, Zampese was offensive coordinator on the 1995 Super Bowl-winning Dallas Cowboys.

There is increasing speculation Gibbs will not hire an offensive coordinator, the position to which Zampese’s name was linked. Gibbs likely will oversee those duties himself, with input from Zampese and assistant head coach Joe Bugel.

Gibbs’ staff began trickling back into Redskin Park last night after being out of town the past few days. Gibbs is expected to return to the club’s headquarters today. He planned not to announce any hirings — beyond the five at his introductory news conference — until the staff was complete.

Atlanta Falcons defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas is another possible hire, though he could be retained by the Falcons. Atlanta offensive line coach Rennie Simmons, Buffalo special teams coach Danny Smith and Buffalo defensive assistant Steve Jackson, like Zampese, all are set to join the staff.

Hall of Fame wide receiver Charley Taylor, an assistant under Gibbs and Richie Petitbon from 1981 to 1993, said yesterday he still was hoping to hear from Gibbs.

Two NFL sources said former New York Giants strength coach John Dunn, who assisted Gibbs from 1984 to 1986, has expressed interest in re-joining Gibbs’ staff. Dunn was not retained by new Giants coach Tom Coughlin.