SB Nation
  • Google+

Stay connected with SB Nation

Bucs Make It Official: Greg Schiano Is The New Head Coach

The Bucs coaching search is over settling on Rutgers coach Greg Schiano.

  • Live
27 Total Updates since January 3, 2012
  • Important 3
  • Updates 20
  • Articles 7
  • All Updates 27

Greg Schiano Is 'The Right Man For The Job', Bucs Say

Breaking from tradition, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired Greg Schiano to be the ninth head coach in franchise history. Schiano will be the first Bucs coach since inaugural coach John McKay to come straight from the college ranks to be given his first NFL coaching gig. He was given a five-year contract, which as much as co-chairman Joel Glazer's words, suggest a certain level of confidence (via Buccaneers.com):

"During our thorough search, we met with numerous impressive candidates, but Coach Schiano surely distinguished himself. From his leadership skills to his impressive track record, he is, simply put, the right man for the job."

Schiano is tasked with turning around a franchise that is coming off a 4-12 season that got previous coach Raheem Morris fired after three years. That season, as well as Morris' first in which the team went 3-13, have forced Bucs fans to relive a period of their history they probably hoped was well past them. Prior to Tony Dungy leading to the Bucs to 10-6 record in 1997, the franchise had enjoyed just two winning seasons in the first 21 years of existence. The Bucs went on to win at least nine games in eight of the next 12 seasons, and also won their only Super Bowl.

In Schiano, the Bucs clearly feel they've found the man to return them to that past glory. During 11 seasons at Rutgers, Schiano took a team that went 3-20 his first two years and turned them into a legitimate power. The Scarlet Knights went to bowls in six of his final seven seasons there and won five of them. Schiano also has some previous NFL experience, having worked for the Chicago Bears from 1996-98.

"Coach Schiano is a bright, meticulous teacher who knows how to get the most out of his players," said Buccaneers General Manager Mark Dominik. "He built and ran a pro-style program at Rutgers, and he’s a defensive-minded coach whose teams have always been characterized by toughness and a physical style of play."

For more on Schiano's hiring, be sure to check out Buccaneers blog Bucs Nation.

Continue

Chip Kelly On Tampa Bay Buccaneers Job: 'I Have Unfinished Business'

Sunday night, news broke that Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly was steps away from taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job. What started as farfetched became more and more believable as confirmations came in from both coasts, with late-night reports having Kelly just about to sign. Then, at the last moment, he reportedly changed his mind.

Days away from college football's national signing day, when high school players can officially begin signing up to play for college teams, Kelly's got some clarifying to do on just how committed he is to Oregon for the near future. Unless he can convince the public he's no longer interested in a NFL job (despite multiple reports that he's had it with all the non-football responsibilities entailed in working a college job), he'll have one issue to overcome in future recruiting (not to mention this year's recruiting).

Here's Kelly:

I am flattered by the interest of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' organization. I enjoyed meeting with the Glazer family and General Manager Mark Dominik but after numerous discussions, I concluded that I have some unfinished business to complete at the University of Oregon.

Also, athletic director Rob Mullens issued a comment:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers asked for permission to engage in conversation with Coach Kelly, which was granted. The University of Oregon is one of the nation's preeminent college football programs and, as such, it comes as no surprise the NFL is interested in our personnel. We are pleased with Coach Kelly's decision to remain as our head coach. Coach Kelly has provided great leadership and remains committed to building on our position among the elite college football programs in the country.

Check out SB Nation's Bucs Nation for more on the Bucs and visit Addicted To Quack for an Oregon perspective on all of this.

Continue

Chip Kelly Turns Down Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Will Stay On As Oregon Football Coach

There was quite a bit of scuttlebutt on Sunday night when reports began to surface that Chip Kelly was leaving the Oregon Ducks football program to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kelly won't be leaving one of the best jobs in college football to take over a struggling Bucs franchise, however, according to a statement from the NFL team.

The rumors that Kelly was close to a deal with Tampa Bay were apparently true, but the Bucs general manager told the Tampa Bay Times on Monday morning that Kelly is no longer a candidate after he turned them down due to a love for college football.

"His heart is with college football and Oregon and he's no longer being considered,'' Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said Monday.

According to the report from the Times, Dominik delayed his plans on traveling to the Senior Bowl on Monday as he closed in on a deal with Kelly. Once the news broke on Sunday night, though, the newspaper reports that "Kelly reversed course and told the Bucs he was remaining at Oregon."

It was quite the whirlwind 12 hours, wasn't it?

Check out SB Nation's Bucs Nation for more on the Bucs and visit Addicted To Quack for an Oregon perspective on all of this.

Continue

Chip Kelly Reportedly Changes Mind, Will Stay At Oregon

Chip Kelly has reportedly reversed course abruptly, turning down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to stay at Oregon, this according to Adam Jude of the Oregon Register-Guard. Kelly had reportedly agreed to terms with the Buccaneers to become the team's next head coach -- reported by Jude and confirmed by CBSSports.com -- before the sudden change of heart.

Here's what Jude had to say in a quick blog post detailing the events of the night.

The source told The Register-Guard earlier Sunday night that Kelly had reached an agreement to become Tampa Bay's head coach. "It's done," the source said.

An hour later, Kelly changed his mind, telling the source: "I'm staying."

Kelly has remained silent publicly, despite the swirling rumors and reports of his departure for Tampa Bay. KGW in Portland initial reported Kelly was close to a deal, and the Tampa Bay Times followed by confirming the report from their end. Late Sunday night, Jude and the Register-Guard reported the deal was done.

Now, it appears Kelly is staying at Oregon, if the latest reports are true. We'll be back with more as it becomes available.

Visit SB Nation's Addicted To Quack for the Oregon perspective on Chip Kelly's wild ride, and SB Nation's Bucs Nation for more on the Bucs and their coaching search.

Continue