Interviews scheduled with Jauron, Carthon and SingletaryMonday, January 4, 2006By Tom KowalskiALLEN PARK -- Since the firing of head coach Steve Mariucci on Nov. 28, Detroit Lions president Matt Millen has kept a low profile. And there's a good reason for that: He wasn't around. During an interview on Tuesday, Millen revealed that he spent much of his time out of town, interviewing and talking to league sources to gather as much information as possible. Millen is beginning his search for a new head coach and he wanted to do as much research as possible before making his decision. "This is one of the areas where Matt's extensive network of contacts throughout the league creates enormous value for our organization," said Lions chief operating officer Tom Lewand. Millen wouldn't reveal who he talked to or what they talked about. Millen also said he took some lessons from his first two head coach hirings -- Marty Mornhinweg and Mariucci -- as well. "I learned a lot of things, but the biggest thing I learned is where we are as a team," Millen said. "Don't forget, we're in a different place now than we were the last two times, in terms of talent on this team. I think there's talent on this team. We're in a different place now than we have been. "I know what we need and I know what we're looking for and I know those qualities exist out there. We have to find the right guy with the right qualities for this football team." Interim head coach Dick Jauron, who had a 1-4 record during his stint with the Lions, will be given an interview. "He was put in a tough spot and did a good job and I'm really interested in him. I want to hear everything he has to say and we'll talk this week. I think he'll be an excellent candidate," Millen said. "I just want to get the right guy." Millen said he plans to keep a low profile during the interviewing process; he said the team will not confirm or deny reports that they're talking to other candidates. While Millen refused to give a timetable for interviewing Jauron, sources say he'll be interviewed today in Allen Park. Sources also say that Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon will be in Detroit on Thursday for an interview, while San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach Mike Singletary is scheduled to meet with Millen early next week. "The most important thing is to be patient with the whole thing. I want to make sure we get the right guy for this job," said Millen, who is expected to trim his list of candidates to a small group of finalists. Those coaches will be brought back for a second and, possibly, a third or fourth interview. Millen said at some point in that process the team will publicly acknowledge their interest in the coach. Other possible candidates include Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line/assistant coach Russ Grimm, former New Orleans head coach Jim Haslett, New York Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. "There's not just one thing," said Millen of his search for a new coach. "If we just wanted a pure discipline guy, we'd go get a pure discipline guy. But then, how do you handle the group? What the X's and O's and what's your philosophy? How do you build a football team? How do you handle your (salary) cap? Where should your money be spent? How do you handle this coach? What kind of coaches are you going to get? There are a million things."
