NFL: Miami hires Cameron
When he was recruiting for Michigan, Cam Cameron could find any high school in South Florida without using a map.
“It’s not that far from home,” Cameron said.
Now, it is home – his new home with the Miami Dolphins.
Cameron will try to succeed where Nick Saban failed. Cameron signed a four-year contract Friday and left his job as offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers to become the Dolphins’ fifth coach since Don Shula retired in 1995.
Cameron was one of at least 13 candidates to interview with Miami over the last two weeks.
“He definitely is committed to winning … and we are committed to winning, whatever it takes, whatever it costs, we want to win,” owner Wayne Huizenga said. “He wants to win and he wants to be successful. He has the same driving passion that we do.”
Other candidates on Miami’s list included Miami defensive coordinator Dom Capers, former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora, Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey and former Alabama coach Mike Shula, son of Don Shula.
Cameron also interviewed this month for top jobs with the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons. Arizona hired Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, and Atlanta hired Louisville coach Bobby Petrino.
Before joining the Chargers in 2002, Cameron was head coach at his alma mater, Indiana, from 1997 to 2001. He never finished a season better than .500 but coached multitalented quarterback Antwaan Randle El, and in 2000 the Hoosiers ranked seventh in the nation in rushing.
NFL reveals draft list
Star receivers Ted Ginn Jr., Calvin Johnson and Dwayne Jarrett were among the 40 underclassmen declared eligible for this year’s NFL draft.
Johnson, of Georgia Tech, and Jarrett, of Southern California, were first-team All-Americans and are expected to go high in the draft on April 28-29. Ginn helped lead Ohio State to the No. 1 ranking in the nation before it lost the BCS championship to Florida.
The champion Gators have four players entering the draft early, all from their defense: end Jarvis Moss, linebacker Brandon Siler, and backs Ryan Smith and Reggie Nelson.
Other notables entering the draft as underclassmen will be Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, California running back Marshawn Lynch, LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, Michigan defensive tackle Alan Branch, Tennessee wide receiver Robert Meachem.
Reid cancels conference
Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said he canceled a news conference by Donovan McNabb because he wants the injured quarterback to focus on his rehab.
McNabb hasn’t spoken at length to reporters since he tore a knee ligament on Nov. 19. He had planned a news conference for Friday.
“He’s been working like crazy right now and I don’t want anything distracting him,” Reid said on WIP-AM. “I want him focused in on taking care of his knee, and that’s what he’s doing.”
Around the league
The Seattle Seahawks signed former Dallas assistant Bruce DeHaven to a three-year contract as their special teams coach. … Former Seattle and Oakland assistant Bob Casullo was hired as tight ends coach by Tampa Bay. … The Carolina Panthers hired former New York Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis as their new secondary coach. … Southern California assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian withdrew from Oakland’s coaching race, just days after apparently emerging as the favorite to succeed Art Shell.