Two Redskin Assistants Are in Running for Raider Job

The latest additions to the Raider coaching derby are Dan Henning and Joe Bugel, both assistant coaches for the Washington Redskins.

Henning, the Redskins’ receivers coach and former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, was interviewed Saturday at the scouting combine workout in Indianapolis by Al Davis, the Raiders’ managing general partner.

He is considered an especially likely candidate. He is generally well thought of and was reportedly highly recommended by New York Giants’ Coach Bill Parcells, a Davis inner-circle member.

Henning had the title of assistant head coach under Joe Gibbs before leaving the Redskins in 1982--after their Super Bowl victory over the Miami Dolphins--to take the Atlanta job. In four seasons, he went 22-41-1 with the Falcons but he kept Davis’ respect.

“We have always liked Dan Henning,” Davis told an Atlanta writer a year ago.

Henning was fired by the Falcons in 1986 and returned to the Redskins last season. He is said to have acted again as No. 2 to Gibbs and was given the title of receivers coach/offensive assistant.

Bugel is the Redskins’ offensive line coach, the man who has coached the famous Hogs in three Super Bowls. He is reportedly flying here to be interviewed this week.

Bobby Beathard, Redskin general manager, confirmed that the Raiders would talk to both assistants.

They join San Francisco 49er assistant Dennis Green, Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and Raider assistants Charlie Sumner and Tom Walsh, considered the leading candidates.

Raider sources, however, continue to predict that the new coach will not come from the Raider staff, as they always have in the past.

Said a source: “Nothing is imminent. I would look for an NFL assistant, 35 to 45, an offensive coach and one involved in the passing game.”