While the Oakland Raiders failed to make the playoffs this season, Sunday was still a busy day for its coaching staff, specifically offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.
As first reported by the Sacramento Bee Monday and confirmed to The Sun by a source close to the candidate, Trestman met with officials from Cornell athletics to discuss the football program’s head coaching vacancy. Trestman, who was returning to his California home, was not available for comment.
Trestman, 47, just finished his 15th year as a professional coach, and sixth as an offensive coordinator. His most successful season came in 2002 where under his guidance, the Raiders finished No. 1 in total offense and passing, and earned a Super Bowl berth. Prior to serving as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator, Trestman was an offensive advisor to former Oakland head coach Jon Gruden for a year. He was previously offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.
Following the dismissal of Raiders head coach Bill Callahan, Trestman’s future with the organization is uncertain.
The Sun has also learned that Valparasio head coach Thomas Horne, who was originally encouraged to apply for the opening by Cornell athletic director J. Andrew Noel, has not been invited for an interview. Horne, just nine wins away from being the winningest coach in Valparasio history, recently finished the 2002-03 season with his team as Pioneer League Champions.
“I would have been a good fit for Cornell, but some people have their own agenda,” he said of the search.
“You can win [at Cornell], and you can win fast because the players are there,” he added. “It would have been great to be the coach there.”
“I’ve been here 15 years, and I’m not looking to go just anywhere,” he said of his position at Valparasio.
Archived article by Matt Janiga