AVENGERS MIGHT GET NEW COACH TODAY.

The Avengers could offer their head-coaching job to Nashville Kats coach Pat Sperduto as early as today.

Sperduto, who helped build the Kats into one of arena football's top teams, will meet with team officials today in Los Angeles, and owner Casey Wasserman did not rule out a contract offer.

``There are no guarantees,'' Wasserman said. ``We're going to sit and talk about the situation and make sure we feel comfortable with him and he feels comfortable with us.''

Interim coach Robert Lyles, who took over for Stan Brock after the third game of last season, also has received a formal interview, and Wasserman said he has other candidates in mind. But that could change if Sperduto's interview goes well and he agrees to take over the Avengers.

Sperduto coached the Kats to the AFL championship game the past two seasons and has a 31-18 overall record in his three years as head coach, but his contract expired shortly after the end of the 2001 season.

``He fits the criteria of what we want,'' Wasserman said. ``He's a proven winner and he has the right attitude, and we want somebody who will be here for a long time.''

Wasserman also appears to be ready to cut loose former USC quarterback Todd Marinovich, who has been the team's only big-name player but has caused headaches with his frequent legal issues.

``Ultimately, it will be the coach's decision,'' Wasserman said, ``but if I had to bet on it, I wouldn't bet on him coming back. I just don't know, and frankly I don't know if he would want to come back.''

Wasserman said former NFL quarterback Tony Graziani, who joined the Avengers midway through last season, has expressed interest in re-signing with the team.