Source: Joe Philbin meets with Bucs

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Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is interviewing Thursday for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coaching vacancy, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Philbin interviewed for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job for a second time Wednesday.

Philbin completed his first interview in South Florida on Jan. 7, and he decided to remain in consideration despite his son's recent drowning in a Wisconsin river. After spending a week away, Philbin rejoined the Packers on Sunday for the divisional playoff loss to the New York Giants.

"He's a special, special human being," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday. "What Joe has gone through, and what his family has gone through, obviously tough is not the proper word. ... His ability to come back meant a lot to all of us. It was not expected, it was not asked of him. But Joe's a class act. ...

"I think he would make an excellent head coach," McCarthy said. "I've said that before."

The Bucs interviewed Marty Schottenheimer last week, league sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen. The Bucs' leading candidate has appeared to be former Packers coach Mike Sherman.

The team has also interviewed former Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress. Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray also is among the candidates.

The Bucs fired Raheem Morris after a 4-12 season that saw Tampa Bay finish on a 10-game losing streak.

Information from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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