Raiders interview Sarkisian again

The Oakland Raiders brought in Southern California quarterbacks coach and former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian for a second interview Wednesday as the team intensified its search for a new head coach.

Sarkisian, the first candidate to interview after Art Shell was fired, met again with owner Al Davis and other team executives, a person in the league with knowledge of the search said on condition of anonymity.

The person requested anonymity because the Raiders are not releasing any details about the search. Sarkisian didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

San Diego Chargers receivers coach James Lofton interviewed on Tuesday and his attorney said he expected the sides to continue discussions later this week.

Other candidates who have interviewed for the job are former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Davis is expected to choose an offensive coach after the team scored an NFL-low 168 points last season, the fewest by the Raiders. Oakland went 2-14 on the season, setting a franchise record for losses in a season.

Sarkisian, 32, was Oakland's quarterbacks coach in 2004 in between stints at USC, where he helped tutor Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer, as well as John David Booty.

Sarkisian left USC for one season to become the Raiders' quarterbacks coach in 2004. Oakland ranked eighth in the NFL in passing that season with 4,019 yards passing.

Oakland also has the No. 1 pick in April's draft and could use it on quarterback Brady Quinn of Notre Dame or JaMarcus Russell of LSU.

While Sarkisian is young and relatively inexperienced, Davis has a history of identifying sharp coaching minds. Davis gave the first professional head coaching jobs to John Madden, Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden when all three were in their 30s. Only Madden won the Super Bowl with Oakland; Shanahan did it with Denver, Gruden with Tampa Bay.

SCHOTTENHEIMER STAYING: Marty Schottenheimer will return as coach of the San Diego Chargers next season, but turned down a one-year extension for 2008 worth $4.5 million.

Three days after the talented Chargers melted down in a 24-21 playoff loss to New England, team president Dean Spanos announced that the embattled coach will be back for the final year of his contact.