As stories circulated of the Raiders putting the cart before the horse, Cable and owner Al Davis presented a united front at the press conference announcing the hiring by saying it was all part of the plan.

Davis said Cable received the job over a candidate he would not name, although he dropped enough hints to make it fairly clear that the runner-up was New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, who had one phone interview and another one in Alameda when the Giants' season was over.

Davis said the other finalist was an NFL coach and a play-caller. The only people known to have interviewed other than Cable were Gilbride and Green Bay's Winston Moss, a defensive coach.

The reasons for the delay were threefold. First, Davis asked both men to assemble potential coaching staffs, with Davis involved with the process in what he said was a rubber-stamp basis.

Coaches who were cleared with both coaches were hired in advance, Davis said.

Second, Cable's father died on Jan. 12, causing what Davis called a week and a half "hiatus" in the process.

Third, after Davis had decided on Cable on Thursday of Super Bowl week, he opted to wait until after the game was over as to not distract from the NFL's feature attraction.

"He hired every assistant coach. I did not hire one other than to talk to some of them about money and to talk to some of them about philosophy," Davis said. "I'm not sure I agree with everyone but I think it's a helluva staff.

"He hired every single coach. I just want you to know that. And I want the few doubters in here who think I hired the assistant coaches, that's not true. I never hired Lane Kiffin's. I never hired Art Shell's. On this one, I listened to him and the guys he had in mind were pro guys, people with experience and people who could teach."

The most recent additions were passing game coordinator Ted Tollner, who joins previously announced quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett. Deposed Seattle defensive coordinator John Marshall assumes the same position in Oakland, with former Cleveland linebackers coach Mike Haluchak assuming that post with the Raiders.

To hear the Raiders tell it, they got every coach they wanted and are delighted with the results.

Cable was not short on boldly predicting the Raiders would go where no Oakland team has gone for the last six years, during which time the silver and black are an NFL worst 24-72.

"This is really a dream come true. I'm proud of it. I'm very appreciative of the opportunity to do this. The Oakland Raiders are back. They're back," Cable said. "We're going to go win football games and we're going to be a playoff team. You hear me? I'm not afraid to say that. All that negative aura, it's done. It's our time now."

Davis cited Cable's passion, his plan and the progress the team made over the last two games of the season with a 27-16 win over the Houston Texans and a 31-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While Cable was talking Super Bowls, Davis stopped short of that standard.

"I do like to win Super Bowls but I'm also realistic," Davis said. "I know where we are. We can win the division. We have to do a little bit more to win the division, but, winning Super Bowls, no, I don't think this team is ready yet. We may be a year away from putting another good group together."