Earlier Thursday morning Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano emerged as a head coaching candidate for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, around the same time that the team had planned telling other candidates not confirmed as a finalist that they were being eliminated for consideration. According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning to hire Schiano and both sides are currently working out a contract.

We would be remiss if we didn't remind everyone that the last time they were in contract negotiations with a college head coach, Oregon's Chip Kelly suddenly backed out. However if Schiano signs, that would basically confirm Mike Zimmer's return for the 2012 season, considering that every available head coaching vacancy has been filled.

OFFICIAL: According to Adam Schefter, the deal is finalized and Greg Schiano will become Tampa Bay's newest head coach.

Zimmer is entering the final year of a three-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals as the team's defensive coordinator. Considering that they extended Jay Gruden's contract earlier this month, it wouldn't be surprising now if the Bengals extended Zimmer at some point this offseason.

As for Mike Sherman, who was a finalist for the head coaching job, the former Packers and Texas A&M head coach could be named as the Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator.