BOSTON -- Red Sox third-base coach DeMarlo Hale doesn't dispute that his affiliation with a team that has had great success in recent years can enhance his qualifications to manage the Seattle Mariners, the job he interviewed for on Thursday.

However, Hale is very much an independent thinker and knows that his candidacy will be based on his own philosophies, not those of the organization he has been with for the last three years.

"I think it helps," Hale said in a conference call arranged by the Mariners. "The success has been there in Boston, no doubt it helps. You understand the commitment and the sacrifice that it takes and the challenges ahead to win. It helps, but I also think that this situation, they want to hear your ideas. They don't want to hear the Red Sox's ideas."

Hale became the second member of manager Terry Francona's staff to interview with the Mariners this week. Bench coach Brad Mills interviewed on Monday. If not for pitching coach John Farrell withdrawing his name from consideration, the Red Sox would have had three coaches in the mix.

Competing against a friend and co-worker hasn't been awkward for Hale.

"You know what, I respect Brad Mills a lot," Hale said. "He's a good baseball man. I think he is a very good candidate for this position and there is nothing but respect for Brad Mills. We've shared some things there, being on Francona's staff. We've talked baseball among other things. And we'd become friends. It's not weird at all."

Like Mills and the other candidates (Joey Cora, Chip Hale, Randy Ready and Don Wakamatsu) the Mariners interviewed this week, Hale doesn't have Major League managing experience.

"That's just a decision and the direction that they're looking at right now," Hale said. "That's a question that I'm sure they can answer. I'm not surprised. I think it's very nice for them to be open to many different types of candidates."

What does Hale think the Mariners are looking for?

"Well, they're looking for a guy to lead this team and be a face of their organization," Hale said. "From what we have discussed earlier today, it's about picking the right guy, with the drive to take this team to a winning [level] and consistency, year in and year out. The ultimate goal is the World Series."