Defensive Coordinator

The old photograph of a young Marvin Lewis reveals a hint about a man who could become a head coach in the NFL.In the picture, taken when he was 9 and playing Pop Warner Football in McDonald, Pa., Lewis stands on the sideline, with his helmet off, head up, chin out, hands on hips. Clearly, this kid is not daydreaming. He stares intently at the field, as if anticipating the next play.The confident pose and thoughtful gaze suggest Lewis knows something the other boys don't."A lot of times, Marvin knew what I was going to do before I did. He was a good quarterback.

The boxes adding to the clutter in Marvin Lewis' office suggest that the Ravens' former defensive coordinator is packing before he leaves town.Don't think Lewis is not getting around. He has been offered a chance to lead the defense in Philadelphia. Carolina coach George Seifert also wants him. The Pittsburgh Steelers would not mind having him back. The Cleveland Browns may try to lure Lewis after interviewing him today.Yet Lewis, one of the 13 assistants who became jobless when the Ravens fired coach Ted Marchibroda, would rather stay in Baltimore.

He has come a long way since the days of toiling in the World League, and even then, Jim Haslett made an impression on people like Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Sinclair.Sinclair, who led the NFL in sacks in 1998, played under Haslett with the Sacramento Surge. In 1992, with Haslett as its defensive coordinator, Sacramento won the WLAF championship.Haslett and Sinclair could be reunited soon, unless a team like the Ravens has something to say about it.Haslett, the defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, spent yesterday interviewing for the vacant head coaching job with the Seahawks.

BaseballAstros: Named Kimball Crossley scout.Athletics: Agreed to terms with 1B Jeff Ball on minor-league contract and invited him to spring training.Cubs: Agreed to terms with P Terry Adams on a one-year contract.Indians: Agreed to terms with P Ron Villone on a one-year contract.Mets: Agreed to terms with IF Mariano Duncan on minor-league contract. Re-signed IF Mike Kinkade.CollegesMid-American Conference: Announced the retirement of Jerry Ippoliti, commissioner.Loyola (Ill.): Suspended F-C Alvin Robinson indefinitely for violating team rules.

BaseballAthletics: Reassigned P Dave Telgheder to minor-league camp. Sold contract of OF Ernie Young to Royals.Diamondbacks: Assigned SS Danny Kassen, P Jason Boyd, P Ben Ford, P Bryan Corey, P Reid Cornelius, C Rod Barajas and C Mark Osborne to minor-league camp.Phillies: Sent OF Jon Zuber, OF Darrin Buston and P Tom Uchiyama to minor-league camp.Rangers: Assigned P Jose Guzman to minor-league camp.Red Sox: Outrighted IF Arquimedez Pozo to Triple-A Pawtucket.BasketballNBA: Named Suns G Jason Kidd Player of the Week.

BaseballRockies: Signed 2B Eric Young to one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.Pro basketballGrizzlies: Activated G Greg Anthony from IR.FootballSteelers: Named Jim Haslett defensive coordinator.CollegeOklahoma State: Announced F Jason Skaer has left basketball team.Nevada-Las Vegas: Named Appalachian State defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill to same position.Pittsburgh: Named Tom Freeman offensive line coach.Pub Date: 1/20/97

Baltimore football coach Ted Marchibroda officially hired five coaches from the former Cleveland Browns staff yesterday, but he is still in search of a defensive coordinator.One of the latest candidates to turn down the job is Bill Arnsparger, 69, architect of the Miami Dolphins' "No-Name Defense" in the early 1970s, and the "Killer B's" defense of the early 1980s.Arnsparger's last job was defensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers from 1992 through 1994.Kevin Byrne, a team vice president, confirmed that Arnsparger showed initial interest, but later declined a position as either a consultant or defensive coordinator.

PITTSBURGH -- A few weeks ago, someone called Bud Carson, then the Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, about a possible nickname for the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense."

Holy Cross' Mark Duffner will almost certainly be named the head football coach at the University of Maryland today, according to Holy Cross athletic director Ron Perry.Duffner, 38, was expected to fly in from Worcester, Mass., yesterday to meet with Maryland athletic director Andy Geiger, Perry said. An official announcement is expected today. Details of Duffner's contract were not available."All indications are that he will accept the job," said Perry. "I'm 99 and 44/100ths percent sure he is going to be named coach."

Holy Cross' Mark Duffner will almost certainly be named the head football coach at the University of Maryland today, according to Holy Cross athletic director Ron Perry.Duffner, 38, was expected to fly in from Worcester, Mass., yesterday to meet with Maryland athletic director Andy Geiger, Perry said. An official announcement is expected this morning. Details of Duffner's contract were not available."All indications are that he will accept the job," said Perry. "I'm 99 and 44/100ths percent sure he is going to be named coach."

The St. Louis Rams and Steve Spagnuolo agreed yesterday on a four-year contract to make the New York Giants' defensive coordinator their coach. The team said in a release that Spagnuolo would be introduced at a news conference tomorrow. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch was the first to report the hiring and said Spagnuolo would be paid just under $12 million. Spagnuolo replaces Jim Haslett and takes over a team that finished 2-14. Spagnuolo was the architect of the Giants' sack-happy defense that thwarted the New England Patriots' run to a perfect season in last year's Super Bowl upset.

Excited about the present, Rex Ryan is keeping his options open on his future. The Ravens introduced Ryan as the team's assistant head coach and defensive coordinator yesterday, ending speculation Ryan might depart to become another team's defensive coordinator. But Ryan conceded his stay in Baltimore might be short as long as his name is floated when head coaching positions become available after next season and beyond. "I think eventually I will become a head coach - whether that's three, five, six or whatever years down the road [or]

This isn't the typical Mother's Day story, but that's OK because theirs was never a typical mother-son relationship. When you're talking about a coach's family, nothing is really normal. So today, Rex Ryan will remain in Maryland with his wife and two children. He sent flowers to his stepmother and says Joanie won't be far from his thoughts. She never is. And similar to most Sundays, Joanie, 76, is supposed to be picked up by her husband of 37 years. Buddy Ryan will take her to a Louisville, Ky., church, and as they chat, she'll surely ask how Rex is doing and how his twin brother, Rob, is doing, too. Buddy will tell her they're both good, but inevitably, just a few minutes later, she'll forget and will ask again.

Moves Baseball METS -- Agreed to minor league contract with C Sandy Alomar Jr. PADRES -- Purchased contract of IF Oscar Robles from Mexico City of Mexican League and signed him to minor league contract. Basketball BUCKS -- Signed C Jared Reiner to second 10-day contract. Colleges ALABAMA -- Named Kevin Steele defensive coordinator, Curt Cignetti recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach, and Major Applewhite offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. LOYOLA -- MAAC named freshman G Brett Harvey men's basketball Co-Rookie of the Week.

The San Diego Chargers have received permission to talk to Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan about their head coaching vacancy, according to league sources. It will be the first head coaching interview for Ryan, who directed the NFL's top-ranked defense last season. Ryan will fly out today and be interviewed tomorrow. In addition to Ryan, the Chargers have been granted permission to talk to three other candidates: Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner and 49ers linebackers coach Mike Singletary.

Even hundreds of miles apart, twin brothers Rex and Rob Ryan take good-natured shots at one another. They've always been competitive, regardless of whether the competition involved baseball, wrestling or marbles. Rob is in his second year as defensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders. Rex is in his first season as defensive coordinator of the Ravens. "I wish him the best of luck, and I told him he'll have the second-best defense in the league," Rex said. When told of those comments, Rob replied: "We've been on different sidelines six times, and I've beaten him more times than he's beaten me. Also, remind him that I have two Super Bowl rings and he has only one. The old man has three, and that's going to be tough to beat."

Amid all of their turnover on offense, the Ravens might have to deal with some change on defense. From coordinator to scheme, there might be different looks for the NFL's sixth-ranked defense next season. A switch back to the 4-3 alignment (four linemen and three linebackers) likely will be decided by the Ravens' ability to add another big-bodied tackle. A switch at coordinator could be out of their control. Mike Nolan, the team's defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, interviewed for the head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns yesterday.

The New York Jets are expected to announce the hiring of Donnie Henderson as defensive coordinator tomorrow, a league source confirmed. Henderson, a secondary coach who has spent the past five years on the Ravens' defensive staff, would get a three-year deal and inherit a Jets defense that finished 22nd overall this season. It would be his first opportunity as an NFL coordinator. The Ravens would look at two to three candidates, among them assistant secondary coach Dennis Thurman, to replace Henderson, who was hesitant to call the hiring a done deal.

Peter Boulware allowed himself a moment of reflection on the impact Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis had on his career before snapping himself back to the matter at hand. "He was the guy who helped me to get to where I am. I thank him for that," said the Ravens Pro Bowl linebacker, whose team will face Cincinnati at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday. "Times are different now. He's a Bengal, and I'm a Raven. We have to get it on like that." Lewis, who was Ravens' defensive coordinator for six seasons (1996-2001)

ASHBURN, Va. - As gigantic as defensive tackle Daryl Gardener is, not even the 6-foot-6, 305-pound Washington Redskin can carry a defense that has been shaken by the instability of free agency and the uncertain status of its leader. Even with Marvin Lewis remaining as the league's highest-paid assistant head coach and defensive coordinator with Washington instead of taking a head coaching offer from Michigan State, the Redskins' defense got a first taste of the circus that will likely continue as long as Lewis searches for a head coaching position in the NFL. Gardener, a no-nonsense player, revealed his feelings about the commotion that has surrounded Redskins Park since Lewis went to East Lansing, Mich.