http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6386644?FSO1&ATT=HMA
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Southern California assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian withdrew from the Oakland Raiders' coaching race Friday, just days after apparently emerging as the favorite to succeed Art Shell.
Sarkisian, a former Raiders assistant who also coaches quarterbacks for the Rose Bowl champion Trojans, was the first coach to interview for the job after Shell was fired Jan. 4 following Oakland's NFL-worst 2-14 season.
Sarkisian was at the Raiders' training complex in Alameda for further interviews Wednesday and Thursday, but the discussions apparently weren't fruitful.
"I thank them for their interest in me," Sarkisian said in a statement released by the university. "While the job was never offered to me, at this time in my career, I've told them I want to stay at USC. I strongly believe that the Raiders' job is a great opportunity for whomever their next head coach is going to be."
The Raiders also issued a statement, affirming that the 32-year-old Sarkisian never was offered the job, and that USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin - who also spoke to Oakland about becoming an assistant - wasn't part of any prospective package deal to hire the two young Trojans coaches.
The San Diego Union-Tribune also reported that Chargers receivers coach James Lofton was told he won't be hired by the Raiders after interviewing last week.
Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are the only other candidates known to have interviewed. Oakland spokesman Mike Taylor said he didn't know whether any interviews with new candidates had been scheduled yet.
Owner Al Davis is looking for his fourth coach since Jon Gruden left following the 2001 season. Oakland has won just 15 games in the four seasons since reaching the Super Bowl after the 2002 season.
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