Raiders to interview Eagles’ Pat Shurmur for head coach position

ALAMEDA, Calif — Add Pat Shurmur’s name to the list of candidates competing with interim coach Tony Sparano to become head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Shurmur is offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles and has head-coaching experience with the Cleveland Browns, going 9-23.

Owner Mark Davis said the Raiders had begun making requests of teams with byes in the playoffs to interview prospective candidates, declining to name them. Among other coaches who could be targets include Denver coordinators Adam Gase (offense) and Jack Del Rio (defense), Green Bay offensive coordinator Tom Clements, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

“I get it,” Sparano said of the skepticism about his candidacy. “I can’t speak for Mark, but I’m confident and I know which direction this is headed. There is a lot of work to be done here right now, and by God, I want that work to be for me, for this organization.”

Sparano has plenty of support in the locker room from veterans such as defensive end Justin Tuck, defensive tackle Antonio Smith and free safety Charles Woodson, all of whom advocated his elevation to full time coach.

While Davis reportedly had set his sights on a “rock star” head coach, two candidates with that description — ESPN analyst Jon Gruden and former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh — were off the market before the Raiders got going in the process.

Gruden signed a six-year extension with ESPN and Harbaugh, after parting ways with the 49ers, was introduced Tuesday as head coach at the University of Michigan.

Shurmur is the newphew of former Packers defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur, who worked with Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie in Green Bay.

Sparano has his sights set on staying where he is.

“All I want to do right now is be head coach of the Oakland Raiders,” Sparano said. “How badly? Very, very badly. This is my team. I left my team today and I’m looking forward to starting over with them. Those decisions will be made down the road.”