Donahue, Seifert Said to Have Met With Jones

Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue interviewed with Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones about the team’s coaching job, according to reports.

Donahue met with Jones in Dallas for the interview, according to several television stations and both The Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The reports cited sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A source told the Morning News that Jones also has had several lengthy telephone conversations with former San Francisco coach George Seifert, including one Monday.

Seifert, Donahue and Denver Bronco offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak have come up most often in speculation about who will succeed Barry Switzer.

Donahue, interviewed by several reporters while boarding a plane at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Tuesday morning, said he was in town on a recruiting visit for Colorado Coach Rick Neuheisel.

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Philadelphia Eagle offensive coordinator Jon Gruden had a follow-up interview with the Oakland Raiders about their coaching vacancy, his fourth meeting with team officials in two years.

Gruden, who also met with Raider officials Jan. 8, had interviewed twice with the Raiders last year--when Oakland owner Al Davis decided to promote Joe Bugel to coach. Bugel was fired after the Raiders went 4-12.

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The Carolina Panthers won’t give quarterback Kerry Collins a $6-million bonus to keep the remaining three years of his contract intact, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The newspaper, citing sources close to the situation, said Panther executives are not willing to give Collins the bonus after he struggled during the 1997 season.

If Collins does not receive the bonus, he could become a restricted free agent. If another team signed him, the Panthers would receive first- and third-round draft choices.

Carolina also could try to renegotiate Collins’ contract, waive him or trade him.

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Miami Dolphin cornerback Denorse Mosley was arrested early Tuesday morning after firing a handgun outside a Monongalia (W.Va.) County strip club.

Mosley, of Pahokee, Fla., was charged with brandishing a firearm and shooting from a roadway, both misdemeanors. He later was released after posting $600 bond.

Mosley and four others apparently became upset when they were told to leave the club when it closed about 3 a.m.

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The Minnesota Viking coaching situation remained muddled as team President Roger Headrick put off a showdown-type meeting with Coach Dennis Green.

Green was at team headquarters in Minneapolis in anticipation of a meeting with Headrick in which Green hoped to talk about his future and the team president’s refusal to allow assistants to interview with other NFL teams.

Headrick didn’t show, though such a meeting is believed to be imminent, perhaps as soon as today.

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Quarterback Doug Flutie signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills. Flutie has played the last eight years in the Canadian Football League, being named the league’s most valuable player six times. He had short NFL stints with Chicago and New England. . . . June Jones, former coach of the Atlanta Falcons, was hired as quarterbacks coach of the San Diego Chargers. Jones’ hiring completes a shuffle that has forced out receivers coach Tyrone Dixon after one year on Kevin Gilbride’s staff, although the Chargers have yet to announce Dixon is out. Mike Sheppard will be shifted to receivers coach and retain his title of offensive coordinator, Gilbride said.