Former Washington Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan is back in Philly for a second interview with the up-and-coming 76ers, Sports Illustrated reports. A Philadelphia insider confirmed reports that Jordan, who was axed by the Wizards in November, is one of the few coaching candidates called back for a second chat with team President Ed Stefanski and other Sixers brass. The other callbacks were Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau and Sixers team scout Chris Ford, according to SI.com. “He’s narrowing it down,” said Peter Luukko, COO of Comcast-Spectacor. “I’m sure we’ll be with it in the near future. There’s no deadline, but we want to be done by the draft (June 25). We’re getting closer.” The search has been on since Tony DiLeo, who replaced fired coach Maurice Cheeks, headed back to the front office on May 11.

 This truly is the year of the African American. All within a few weeks, a Black man became president, two Black women reigned supreme at the Australian Open, and even the Republican Party got a brother to lead them into the future. And now – just in time to ensure that Black History Month got off to an amazing start – the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, became only the second Black head coach in U.S. history to win the Super Bowl, leading his team to an exciting, come-from-behind 27-23 win over the high-octane Arizona Cardinals. Read the rest here.

Leave your comments for Mike Tomlin, Santonio Holmes and the rest of the Steelers.

Eagles’ Reid and McNabb Are Suddenly Golden
My, how things have changed in the City of Brotherly Love. It seemed like just yesterday that Philadelphia’s infamously fickle fans were willing to dump their all-time winning coach and Pro Bowl quarterback as the team fumbled away victories to such league also-rans as the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins. But on Sunday, shortly after Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb had dismantled the Minnesota Viking’s powerful offense, Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie made it clear that he had no intention of booting the duo and starting from scratch. “With Andy’s leadership, we were in four straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl,” Lurie, who grew up in Beantown, told The Boston Globe. “We haven’t won a championship, but the quality of coaching and the quality of the performance of the team has been at a very high level.  I think if you know you have really good coaching, you want to surround it the best possible way. That’s more where we’re at – try to keep improving the team; try to maximize all our resources; and think strategically. It’s not about making the coach the target of frustration.” As for his quarterback, who is entering the final year of his contract, Lurie said, “Donovan has had a very good year, but it also has had its ups and downs. You have to know, in this sport, especially at the quarterback position, you’re going to have your ups and downs. Hopefully the ups are predominant, and he’s proven with him at quarterback, you have a very good chance of winning and winning big.” McNabb, who is under contract with the Eagles through the 2010 season (with a base salary of $9.2 million in 2009 and $10 million in 2010), has stated that he would like a new contract. The Eagles have “every intention of having him back,” Lurie said. “He’s been great to work with.”

Colts Coach Ponders Future in NFL
Will the NFL’s rapidly evaporating pool of Black head coaches get even more shallower over the next week? There’s a strong possibility that Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy could add his name to the list of African-Americans who are no longer commanding NFL teams when next season kicks off. But speculation about Dungy’s future is nothing new. For the past four years, at least, the Super Bowl-winning Dungy has announced that he would take a week off to decide whether he will return to Indianapolis or head back to his Tampa Bay home. This year marked Dungy’s NFL-record 10th straight playoff appearance. Unfortunately, his 23-17 overtime loss to the San Diego Charges was the fourth time in seven years that his powerful Colts bolted after just one playoff win. On Sunday, Dungy told NBC’s Al Michaels that if he stays, it’s because of the fans, MVP quarterback Peyton Manning and an owner who appreciates him. “When I do leave, I’m going to be leaving. Not taking a year off or two years off, so I want to make sure,” Dungy said. “I’m leaning a certain way, but every year I’ve kind of learned,” Dungy said. “My wife told me, ‘Don’t make a decision and then go back, so take some time’.”

The Denver Broncos, who fired two-time Super Bowl-winning Coach Mike Shanahan Tuesday, could be adding a young African American to replace him. Broncos officials acknowledged Thursday that they have asked for permission to interview the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 32-year-old defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, for Denver’s vacant head coaching job. Morris, the Bucs defensive backs coach, was just named as departing defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s replacement on Christmas. But the Denver Broncos may think the 32-year old Morris is the perfect replacement for head coach Mike Shanahan, who was fired on Tuesday. Also up for the Denver gig is New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnulo. NFL rules preclude teams from blocking interviews for head coaching positions, so the Bucs had no choice but to allow Morris the right to interview with the Broncos. The Broncos are expected to meet with Morris Monday after Spagnulo’s meeting with the team on Saturday, FoxSports.com is reporting. While Morris has no NFL-level head coaching experience or defensive coordinator experience, he studied under former Bucs defensive backs coach and current Pittsburgh Steelers head Coach Mike Tomlin from 2002-05. Tomlin, one of the NFL’s hottest young coaches, left the Buccaneers after the 2005 season to pursue a defensive coordinator position with Minnesota. A year later, he was leading the Steelers.

Barkley blasts his alma mater on race. Former NBA star Charles Barkley, never one to mince words, is blasting his alma mater for hiring a new football coach he says was based on race and not athletic credentials. Auburn University, had a chance to hire Buffalo University’s Turner Gill, a Black man who led a losing team to its first championship, but opted for Iowa State’s Gene Chizik, a White man who eked out a 5-19 record in two seasons with the Cyclones. Granted, Chizik was the defensive coordinator at Auburn four years ago when the Tigers finished with a 13-0 record and ranked No. 2 in the country, but Barkley’s not satisfied. “I think race was the No. 1 factor,” said Barkley, who played basketball for three seasons at Auburn during the early 1980s. “You can say it’s not about race, but you can’t compare the two resumes and say [Chizik] deserved the job. Out of all the coaches they interviewed, Chizik probably had the worst resume.” Chizik replaces Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville, who won 85 games over the past decade but was forced to resign earlier this month. Gill, a former Nebraska quarterback, took over one of the country’s worst programs at Buffalo three years ago. He guided the Bulls to an 8-5 record and their first MAC championship this season, upsetting previously unbeaten Ball State 42-24 in the Dec. 5 conference championship game. Barkley has suggested that Gill’s White wife might have been a factor in Auburn’s decision to pass on the former quarterback.

Kings fire Theus. The Sacramento Kings have fired head coach Reggie Theus, the second Black head coach to lose his job in less than a week and the third of six since the season began. The Sacramento Bee reported Monday that Theus will be replaced, at least temporarily, by Kings assistant Kenny Natt. Kings also have fired assistant Chuck Person, according to ESPN. Under Theus, the Kings have stumbled to a 6-18 record this season. Last year, Theus left New Mexico State University, and led Sacramento to a surprising 39-43 record. That’s a far cry from their current position, last place in the Pacific Division. Theus is the sixth NBA coach to lose his job this season, joining Maurice Cheeks (Philadelphia), Randy Wittman (Minnesota), Sam Mitchell (Toronto), Eddie Jordan (Washington) and P.J. Carlesimo (Oklahoma City).

Former NBA player arrested after marijuana mail delivery. A former NBA player could face up to five years in prison after he was reportedly caught picking up a postal package that carried marijuana. Corey Blount, 39, was arrested Friday after he was followed to his home near Cincinnati, where two other packages, totaling 18 pounds of weed were found, cops say. Blount’s Cadillac Escalade, a 2000 Chevy Suburban, three guns and almost $30,000 in cash were confiscated. The former University of Cincinnati center went on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors, among other teams. He earned a criminal justice degree this year.

Ken Norton Jr. won’t lead New Mexico State University football squad. The son of former hard-hitting heavyweight boxer Ken Norton has turned down a chance to coach New Mexico State University’s football team. Ken Norton Jr., an ex-NFL standout, has reportedly declined the job offer out West. New Mexico’s assistant coach has been added to the list of candidates.

Don Haskins was 78

The real-life coach who was portrayed in the 2006 film Glory Road, starring Derek Luke, has died. Portrayed in the film by Josh Lucas, Donald Lee Haskins coached the first basketball team ever to start five Black players.  The 1966 Texas Western College squad went on to win the national championship against the University of Kentucky . Haskins later was assistant coach of the 1972 Olympic team. He died this week at age 78.

Hoops teams defeat Down Under opposition. Both the men’s and women’s Olympic basketball teams have defeated their Australian opponents. The men’s squad is undefeated in pre-competition during the games in China after putting down Australia 87-76 Tuesday. Australia gave the men their first challenge, but guard Dwyane Wade says there’s no need for concern. “Nothing alarming for us,” he says. “It’s alarming when you lose.” Meanwhile, Lisa Leslie led with 14 points in the United States ’ 71-67 victory over Australia ’s women. The U.S. ladies captured the Diamond Ball tournament title, and will move on to the quest for gold medals at Beijing .

Bulldogs dismiss linebacker after vandalism. The Georgia Bulldogs have suspended Darius Dewberry after he allegedly broke a parking lot barrier and potted plants at a hospital. The linebacker was attempting to visit teammate Donavon Baldwin, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in a fight and receiving stitches following the weekend incident. Dewberry “was very distraught about a teammate getting hurt badly,” says Coach Mark Richt. The player’s discipline follows a string of episodes involving Bulldogs players this season. Dewberry has reportedly agreed to pay for the damages and the hospital is not pressing charges. Richt says the linebacker must perform 20 hours of community service, undergo counseling and work a part-time job while he misses the first two games of the season.

Packers head coach calls out Favre. Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy tells Brett Favre “he needs to jump on the train and let’s go.” Is this finally the end of the Brett Favre era in Green Bay? Read more at Playa Hater.