One head-coaching hire in Carolina has created multiple opportunities for former University of Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt, according to league sources.
Within the next 24 hours, Wannstedt is expected to talk to his former Dallas Cowboys counterpart and current San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner about succeeding former San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who agreed Tuesday to become the Carolina Panthers' head coach.
But Rivera also is interested in talking with Wannstedt, who wants to become an assistant head coach. Rivera needs a defensive coordinator and Wannstedt is a candidate for the job.
The Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills also have expressed interest in Wannstedt for various coaching roles.
Pittsburgh recently fired Wannstedt, who now appears ready to return to the NFL, where he was a Super Bowl-winning coordinator with the Cowboys and a head coach for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins.
Chris Mortensen is ESPN's senior NFL analyst. Adam Schefter is ESPN's NFL Insider.