[Kansas City.com] Carl Peterson began the Chiefs’ search for a new head coach Monday by interviewing offensive coordinator Al Saunders for several hours at Arrowhead Stadium.

Saunders was not the only name on Peterson’s list of candidates. The Chiefs probably will request permission from the Jets to speak with head coach Herman Edwards.

Various local media reports said Peterson met with former Cleveland Browns coach Butch Davis on Monday in Kansas City, but Peterson was meeting with Saunders when the supposed interview with Davis was taking place.

Also, a source close to the situation said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, a possible candidate, was not in Peterson’s box at Sunday’s game against Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium, as was reported on a Kansas City radio station.

The Chiefs were trying to schedule an interview with Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for next week and appear to have an interest in Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

In Peterson’s perfect world, his coaching search might begin and end with Edwards, but the situation is more complicated than that. Edwards has two seasons remaining on his Jets contract.

The Chiefs not only need permission from the Jets to speak with Edwards but also must compensate the Jets with draft picks and/or players if they were to hire Edwards.

“I don’t want to get into that because it’s a pretty sensitive issue,” Peterson said when asked whether he would relinquish picks for Edwards. “I’ve done it before.”

Saunders was scheduled to interview for head-coaching vacancies today with the Vikings in Minnesota and Thursday with the Texans in Houston. The Detroit Lions have told the Chiefs they would formally request permission to speak with Saunders and could meet with him over the weekend or next week. The Vikings and Texans asked for and received that permission Monday.

Peterson’s interview with Saunders began in the early afternoon and continued long after the end of regular office hours.