Bugel Apparently Joins Henning: Out of Raider Running

The Raider coaching derby may have dropped another prospect by the wayside Tuesday.

The Washington Times reported in today’s editions that Redskin assistant Joe Bugel had withdrawn himself from consideration a few days after Dan Henning, also a member of the Super Bowl champions’ staff, had fallen out.

The newspaper did not quote Bugel but attributed its information to unidentified “Redskin officials.” According to those officials, Bugel was at a football clinic in San Antonio last weekend and was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles to meet with Davis, but changed his mind and flew home to Washington, instead.

That would leave only Denver Bronco assistant Mike Shanahan among the three men who were believed to be finalists to replace Tom Flores, who resigned last month.

However, a source close to the San Francisco 49ers said assistant coach Dennis Green had been interviewed twice by Raider boss Al Davis--the last time as recently as six days ago--and might still be in the running.

Green, reached by phone Tuesday, said, “I’m not one to discuss private dealings. If I get the job, that’s fine, and if I don’t . . . “

Asked if that meant he was still under consideration, Green said, “I don’t think Al’s ever said who was being considered.”

Meanwhile, Davis told Associated Press reporter John Nadel Tuesday that Henning did not withdraw from consideration, as initially reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but that Davis dropped Henning.

“While Dan is a very bright coach, he was told unequivocally last Friday that he would not be a candidate for the Raiders’ job,” Davis was quoted. “I told him I was going in another direction. Where the misconception that he backed away from the job came from I do not know, and certainly Dan would attest to my statements.”

Henning did so in the AP story. Davis was in his El Segundo office Tuesday but did not return two phone calls from The Times.

Henning, reached at his home in Vienna, Va., at first said, “I don’t remember talking to any AP writer.”

Then he confirmed his quotes agreeing with Davis’ version and indicated his only quarrel with the Atlanta story was the headline.