With two national championships to his credit, Erickson is thinking about becoming a winner in the NFL.
"I'd love to someday bring a Super Bowl to Seattle," Erickson said after the four-hour meeting Saturday at Behring's mansion in Danville, Calif.
David Behring, the owner's son and the club's president, described the meeting as fruitful.
"This was a first meeting to see if the proper chemistry existed between Dennis and the Seahawks' ownership," he said. "We discussed offensive and defensive philosophies, a strength and conditioning program, the transition
from college to the pros, assistant coaches, our organization, our existing front office and player personnel, and the input he would have in the draft and free agency."
Erickson isn't pushing for a quick deal. He is in California to coach the East team in next Saturday's East-West Shrine game. He is expected back in Miami on Jan. 19, when his players return to campus following their winter
break.
With perks and salary, Erickson makes around $700,000 a year at Miami, where he won national championships in two of his first three seasons. He is within four years of being vested in a $1 million annuity.
Ken Behring fired coach and general manager Tom Flores last month after a 6-10 season. The Seahawks were 14-34 in three seasons under Flores. Unlike Flores, the new Seahawks coach won't serve as general manager. No announcement has been made yet on how those responsibilities will be divided.
Erickson has said the Seattle job is the only one in the NFL that appeals to him.
In other news:
RAMS: KNOX COULD GO TODAY
Los Angeles Rams coach Chuck Knox is scheduled to meet today with team president John Shaw, who has already given members of Knox's staff permission to talk with other teams about jobs. Knox, whose team finished 4-12 this season, has one year left on a four-year contract.
The Rams also apparently are on the verge of hiring Los Angeles Raiders executive and assistant coach Steve Ortmayer to a top administrative position.
In another development, tomorrow's scheduled trial of Rams cornerback Darryl Henley on drug trafficking charges was postponed. Instead, U.S. District Judge Gary L. Taylor will hear defense attorneys and federal prosecutors argue whether to sever Henley's drug case from a related extortion case in which his life was allegedly threatened.
COWBOYS: IRVIN ACCUSED
Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin has been accused of assault by Heidi Marie Thomas, 19, of Plano, Texas, who says Irvin fondled her in a nightclub parking lot Dec. 12, 1993. Thomas also filed a lawsuit against Irvin, seeking $5 million in damages.
The attack allegedly happened after Thomas accepted an offer of a ride home
from another Cowboys player, and Irvin is accused of reaching through the
window, kissing her and fondling her while she tried to fend him off. As Irvin climbed into the back seat and continued the assault, a third person whom Thomas did not recognize also fondled her and prevented her escape, her attorney said.
Irvin called the accusation "absolutely ridiculous" and "totally untrue."
A Dallas police spokesman said the complaint will be forwarded to its Crimes Against Persons Division to determine whether "we have the elements of a criminal offense."
PUNT, PASS & KICK: GIRL 2ND
Kendra Wecker, the first girl to qualify for the national finals of the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick competition, finished second in the 12-year-old division. Wecker, of Marysville, Kan., totaled 301 feet, 1 inch, to finish behind Erik Resta, of Ft. Launderdale, Fla., who totaled 334 feet in the combined competition. The competition among youngsters ages 8 to 15 was held in San Diego before the Chargers-Miami Dolphins playoff game.
