The Ravens could be playing “Marty Ball.” Hours after Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett declined the Ravens’ offer to become head coach Thursday, owner Steve Bisciotti huddled with team president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome at the team’s Owings Mills complex to talk about other candidates.

The two most notable names believed to be discussed were former San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer and Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach John Harbaugh. Schottenheimer’s agent did not return phone calls or e-mails for comment Thursday.

Ravens officials were disappointed they were turned down by Garrett, who will remain in Dallas where he will be the highest-paid assistant in the league with an annual salary of about $3 million.

“I can’t thank them enough for allowing us to go through that process,” Garrett said of the Ravens, who interviewed him twice the past two weeks.

This story continues below
Advertisement

“It’s pretty easy to see why they are regarded as one of the premier organizations in football.”

The Ravens were forced to scramble after being spurned by Garrett, releasing the statement: “We’re continuing our second round of interviews. We’re excited with the candidates, and we’re confident we will select the best head coach for the Ravens.”

Schottenheimer is widely believed to be Newsome’s choice in the team’s discussions, primarily because he played under Schottenheimer when he was the coach of Cleveland in the 1980s.

“Marty’s a winner whose convictions on how to win in the NFL give him a focus and determination that is the equal of any coach or player in the league,” Newsome said when San Diego hired Schottenheimer in 2002.

The Ravens, who fired Brian Billick on Dec. 31, had not contacted Harbaugh for a second interview by Thursday afternoon, according to a source close to the situation. The source also said the Ravens’ lack of communication with

Harbaugh points to the team aggressively pursuing Schottenheimer, who did not coach this past season. Schottenheimer is 5-13 in the playoffs during his career, despite having a 200-126-1 regular-season record.

The Ravens were impressed by Harbaugh’s enthusiasm during a Jan. 8 interview. He became a favorite despite never being a coordinator or head coach on any level. The Ravens also spoke with Schottenheimer’s son, New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, Jan. 7

The elder Schottenheimer has had informal discussions with the Ravens, but is interested in speaking to the Ravens more about the job, according to a source close to the situation. He has been out of football since being fired last February after guiding the Chargers to a 14-2 regular-season record.

But the Chargers lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional round last season and San Diego offered a one-year contract extension to Schottenheimer, which he declined.

Schottenheimer told the Miami Herald this past weekend he was enjoying time with his family.

“In all likelihood, I’m not going to be back,” Schottenheimer told the Herald.

mpalmer@baltimorexaminer.com