NFC South: 2012 Black Monday
Glazer: 'Brighter days ahead' for Bucs
January, 2, 2012
1/02/12
3:42
PM ET
By
Pat Yasinskas | ESPN.com
TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer and general manager Mark Dominik just held a press conference to talk about the firing of coach Raheem Morris and how they’ll proceed with their search for a replacement.
There was no earth-shattering news and no new coach waiting in the wings. Instead, Glazer used terms like “exhaustive’’ and “thorough’’ when describing how the search will move forward. Glazer also said the Bucs have yet to reach out to any candidates and there is no timetable. But he also said that process will start soon, with Dominik taking the lead role and the Glazer family being heavily involved.
“We’re going to keep an open mind,’’ Glazer said. “We’re not going to pigeon-hole what we’re looking forward.’’
Although the Bucs frequently have been accused of being frugal, Glazer said money is not an issue as the team looks at coaching candidates.
“We will always do what it takes to win,’’ Glazer said.
Glazer said the team will stick by its philosophy of building primarily through the draft. But he also said there’s a misconception that the team will only use the draft as a way to acquire players. He said there will be times when the Bucs use free-agent signings and trades to supplement their roster.
“Ultimately, always, you’ve got to do what’s in the best interest of winning because winning sells tickets,’’ Glazer said. “We are going to spend whatever it takes to win.’’
The Bucs finished 4-12 and lost their last 10 games, but Glazer did his best to offer hope to fans.
“I feel brighter days are ahead,’’ Glazer said. “I feel confident we can get this ship headed in the right direction.’’
There was no earth-shattering news and no new coach waiting in the wings. Instead, Glazer used terms like “exhaustive’’ and “thorough’’ when describing how the search will move forward. Glazer also said the Bucs have yet to reach out to any candidates and there is no timetable. But he also said that process will start soon, with Dominik taking the lead role and the Glazer family being heavily involved.
“We’re going to keep an open mind,’’ Glazer said. “We’re not going to pigeon-hole what we’re looking forward.’’
Although the Bucs frequently have been accused of being frugal, Glazer said money is not an issue as the team looks at coaching candidates.
“We will always do what it takes to win,’’ Glazer said.
Glazer said the team will stick by its philosophy of building primarily through the draft. But he also said there’s a misconception that the team will only use the draft as a way to acquire players. He said there will be times when the Bucs use free-agent signings and trades to supplement their roster.
“Ultimately, always, you’ve got to do what’s in the best interest of winning because winning sells tickets,’’ Glazer said. “We are going to spend whatever it takes to win.’’
The Bucs finished 4-12 and lost their last 10 games, but Glazer did his best to offer hope to fans.
“I feel brighter days are ahead,’’ Glazer said. “I feel confident we can get this ship headed in the right direction.’’
TAMPA, Fla. — Now that Raheem Morris is out as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, let’s start taking a look at some of the possible replacements.
BIG FISH
Jeff Fisher: Will likely be the first person the Bucs call because he’s the best coach available that has made it clear he wants to get back into coaching. Even if it’s just for show, the Bucs need to make the call to show fans they care. Fisher’s a long shot, though. He likely will have his pick of jobs and coming to a team that hasn’t been willing to spend in free agency doesn’t work as a selling point for the Bucs.
Bill Cowher: He’s made it sound like he plans to stay in television. Even if that changes, there’s almost no shot of Cowher coming to Tampa Bay. If he coaches, it likely will be in a major market and not with a team that needs major rebuilding.
Tony Dungy: He’s said he doesn’t want to coach again and he’s told that to several teams that have inquired. The Bucs might even be one of those teams. It might be fruitless, but I say the Bucs make a run at Dungy (even if they already have) and beg him to return to the franchise he once made respectable. He could do it again, better and quicker than anyone else. Throw all the money and power you have at Dungy and if getting him means co-chairman Ed Glazer has to wash Dungy’s car three times a week, get out the bucket and the sponges. But this almost certainly won’t happen.
THE RETREADS
Mike Sherman: When you fire a coach, you usually go hire the opposite. Sherman’s very different than Morris. He’s mature, he believes in discipline and he comes from an offensive background. He also won during much of his stint in Green Bay. Sherman’s name keeps popping up with this job, so don’t rule him out. There’s a good reason for that. Sherman has the same agent as general manager Mark Dominik, who is likely to have a big say in this story.
Mike Mularkey: The Atlanta offensive coordinator is going to interview for the Jacksonville job, but he could fit the profile for the Bucs. He’s done a nice job developing Matt Ryan and he has previous experience as a head coach in Buffalo. Mularkey’s got the resume to make people believe he can straighten out Josh Freeman. Plus, Mularkey started his coaching career with the Bucs under Sam Wyche.
Brian Billick: He once had a reputation as an offensive guru, but he won his Super Bowl in Baltimore with great defense. Billick’s also been out of the game for a bit. But he is a name and this franchise needs to sell tickets.
RISING STARS
Rob Chudzinski: The Carolina offensive coordinator is a hot name after Cam Newton’s stunning rookie year. He’ll get some interviews, but may need one year as a coordinator before he gets a job as a head coach.
Todd Bowles: He finished the season as Miami’s interim head coach and will interview for the permanent job. But, if Bowles is available, I’ve been told he could get a look. He doesn’t have the offensive background. But he’s viewed as a rising star who is older and more mature than Morris.
Mike McCoy: Like Chudzinski, McCoy could be a year or two away from a job as a head coach. But he’s done a great job as Denver’s offensive coordinator. He also has the charisma to win over players and fans. Oh, he also shares the same agent as Dominik and Sherman.
BIG FISH
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Paul SpinelliJeff Fisher, who parted ways with the Titans in January 2011, has made no secret about his desire to return to the NFL as a head coach.
Bill Cowher: He’s made it sound like he plans to stay in television. Even if that changes, there’s almost no shot of Cowher coming to Tampa Bay. If he coaches, it likely will be in a major market and not with a team that needs major rebuilding.
Tony Dungy: He’s said he doesn’t want to coach again and he’s told that to several teams that have inquired. The Bucs might even be one of those teams. It might be fruitless, but I say the Bucs make a run at Dungy (even if they already have) and beg him to return to the franchise he once made respectable. He could do it again, better and quicker than anyone else. Throw all the money and power you have at Dungy and if getting him means co-chairman Ed Glazer has to wash Dungy’s car three times a week, get out the bucket and the sponges. But this almost certainly won’t happen.
THE RETREADS
Mike Sherman: When you fire a coach, you usually go hire the opposite. Sherman’s very different than Morris. He’s mature, he believes in discipline and he comes from an offensive background. He also won during much of his stint in Green Bay. Sherman’s name keeps popping up with this job, so don’t rule him out. There’s a good reason for that. Sherman has the same agent as general manager Mark Dominik, who is likely to have a big say in this story.
Mike Mularkey: The Atlanta offensive coordinator is going to interview for the Jacksonville job, but he could fit the profile for the Bucs. He’s done a nice job developing Matt Ryan and he has previous experience as a head coach in Buffalo. Mularkey’s got the resume to make people believe he can straighten out Josh Freeman. Plus, Mularkey started his coaching career with the Bucs under Sam Wyche.
Brian Billick: He once had a reputation as an offensive guru, but he won his Super Bowl in Baltimore with great defense. Billick’s also been out of the game for a bit. But he is a name and this franchise needs to sell tickets.
RISING STARS
Rob Chudzinski: The Carolina offensive coordinator is a hot name after Cam Newton’s stunning rookie year. He’ll get some interviews, but may need one year as a coordinator before he gets a job as a head coach.
Todd Bowles: He finished the season as Miami’s interim head coach and will interview for the permanent job. But, if Bowles is available, I’ve been told he could get a look. He doesn’t have the offensive background. But he’s viewed as a rising star who is older and more mature than Morris.
Mike McCoy: Like Chudzinski, McCoy could be a year or two away from a job as a head coach. But he’s done a great job as Denver’s offensive coordinator. He also has the charisma to win over players and fans. Oh, he also shares the same agent as Dominik and Sherman.
FROM THE SKY OVER GEORGIA OR FLORIDA -- In the end, the Glazer family, which owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, did the only thing it could. The Glazers fired coach Raheem Morris just before noon Monday.
It was the only realistic move after the Bucs lost the final 10 games of the season to finish 4-12. In his third season, Morris and the Bucs took a major step back. After the team went 10-6 last season, the thought was that Tampa Bay’s youth movement was heading in the right direction.
But it became apparent during the losing streak that Morris lacked maturity and that his player-friendly style backfired on him. The Bucs became a team that was ill-prepared on the field and running wild off it. Key players like quarterback Josh Freeman, receiver Mike Williams and running back LeGarrette Blount all showed major regression this season.
By the end of the season, the Bucs had become the worst team in the NFL. They beat the Colts in a Monday night game early in the season, but I’m firmly convinced the Colts would have won if the game had been played later in the season.
This team was in a free fall, and bringing back Morris wasn’t going to stop it. The Bucs had to pull the plug, and the Glazers needed to send a message to their fans that they want to win.
As soon as I land in Tampa, I’ll head straight to One Buccaneer Place for a 3 p.m. ET news conference. I’ll also get you a list of coaches I see as possible candidates to replace Morris.
It was the only realistic move after the Bucs lost the final 10 games of the season to finish 4-12. In his third season, Morris and the Bucs took a major step back. After the team went 10-6 last season, the thought was that Tampa Bay’s youth movement was heading in the right direction.
But it became apparent during the losing streak that Morris lacked maturity and that his player-friendly style backfired on him. The Bucs became a team that was ill-prepared on the field and running wild off it. Key players like quarterback Josh Freeman, receiver Mike Williams and running back LeGarrette Blount all showed major regression this season.
By the end of the season, the Bucs had become the worst team in the NFL. They beat the Colts in a Monday night game early in the season, but I’m firmly convinced the Colts would have won if the game had been played later in the season.
This team was in a free fall, and bringing back Morris wasn’t going to stop it. The Bucs had to pull the plug, and the Glazers needed to send a message to their fans that they want to win.
As soon as I land in Tampa, I’ll head straight to One Buccaneer Place for a 3 p.m. ET news conference. I’ll also get you a list of coaches I see as possible candidates to replace Morris.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired coach Raheem Morris on Monday, the team announced.
The Bucs, who began the season 4-2, lost their final 10 games of the 2011 season.
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Pat Yasinskas
Yasinskas joined ESPN.com in January 2008 after covering the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer for nine seasons. He began his journalism career with The Tampa Tribune in 1990.
