Jets eye Birds coach

by Rich Cimini
New York Daily News

One day after releasing Mike Heimerdinger from his contract, the Jets focused their offensive-coordinator search on Pat Shurmur, the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach.

The Jets have a strong interest in Shurmur, according to a league source, but it wasn’t known whether they had received permission from the Eagles to interview him. By rule, the Eagles can prevent him from talking to another team about a coordinator position.

Shurmur, 40, has no experience as a coordinator and he has no prior experience with coach Eric Mangini.

He has spent the last seven years with the Eagles, the first three as the tight ends coach, the last four tutoring the quarterbacks. Donovan McNabb always has spoken highly of Shurmur, a nephew of the late Fritz Shurmur, who won a Super Bowl as the Packers’ defensive coordinator.

Another candidate for the Jets’ vacancy, former Texans coordinator Chris Palmer, also is drawing interest from the Cowboys.

Because of his inexperience, Mangini could be struggling to assemble a coaching staff. He retained Herm Edwards’ defensive staff, except for coordinator Donnie Henderson, and also kept special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff.

Mangini is overhauling the offensive staff, but he has yet to hire a coach from outside the organization. It’s believed that he offered a job to well-traveled line coach Tony Wise. Wise would replace Doug Marrone, who is under contract and not allowed to explore other job possibilities.

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