Official: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Hire Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 26, 2012 1:25 PM EST in Coaching News

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.

@AdamSchefter
Adam SchefterFiled to ESPN: Tampa Bay plans to hire Rutgers coach Greg Schiano as the next Buccaneers head coach. Two sides trying to finalize contract. 7 minutes ago via WhoSay · powered by @socialditto

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.

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great news!

Josh or others….any rumblings about who would replace fitzgerald? Now that it looks like Zimmer will be staying, do you think theres any chance he brings his son in as LB coach?

Also, has Zimmer ever had the authority to bring his own staff in under him? From what i recall, it’s all been guys who’ve been here before Zim got here…

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Jan 26, 2012 10:47 AM EST reply actions

I was wondering the same thing.

Any waves floating through Cincy, or Mobile about who might take over for Fitzgerald?

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 26, 2012 11:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

RE: LB coach

Remember that that is just idle speculation that one job isn’t filled. It could be LB coach, or it could mean that Lewis was anticipating that Coyle was leaving. That hasn’t been confirmed one way or the other.

But if there’s a LB coach position opening up, I highly doubt it will be Adam Zimmer. He’s not truly coaching in the meaning of the word. He’s assisting by breaking down plays, putting together game-plans, studying tendencies and generating scouting reports.

I could be wrong, but there’s virtually no coaching experience here and it would be stupid to hire him just because he’s Zimmer’s son.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 26, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

adam zimmer

has 6 years experience on an nfl level as an assistant LB coach (4 years with the saints and 2 years with the chiefs). kid has to have some pedigree, his dad comes from a line of quality coaches and his kid spent 4 years learning the position from joe vitt in new orleans who is considered by some to be one of the top lb coaches in the nfl

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 26, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

RE:

You’re projecting, which is fine. My point remains the same though. What he’s been doing as a coach, he’s been an assistant for the actual position coaches. Have you seen or heard Adam Zimmer teaching foot work, showing how linebackers should react to situations based on the implemented game-plan?

My point is that just because his last name is Zimmer doesn’t quality as instantaneous candidacy. Fitzgerald has been a LB coach since 2008 w/ the Bengals and before that a LB coach in Baltimore. He’s also the guy that conducts linebacker drills at the NFL combine for the last 13 years.

So you replace Fitzgerald with Zimmer? That makes no sense to me.

I’m not saying it won’t happen, but I don’t take it for face value because of the kid’s last name. He’s young. He’ll mature and grow but is now really that time?

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 26, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

me, personally?

i’d like jack del rio (which won’t happen as LB coach since he’ll be a defensive coordinator) or mark duffner (who i liked from his time in cincy. he was rarely given anything to work with and got solid results.).

the adam zimmer thing to me, its settling. saying, if we cant get del rio or duffner back, at least bringing in zimmer’s kid might keep mike zimmer here longer.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 26, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

Coyle will take Duffner to Miami.

by Cry on Jan 26, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

i think with duffner's past in cincy

and the right offer of money, we can steal duffner back to cincy.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 26, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

RE:

Bengals had a good defense during his first year as Cincinnati’s DC in 2001, ranked 14th defense and 9th scoring defense. It wouldn’t be until 2009 when Cincinnati’s defense ranked better on both statistics in the same season.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 26, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

considering what duffner had to work with

aside from spikes and simmons, duffner got a bunch of projects LBs and castoffs. he really did a solid job in cincy.

and you did make me consider something about hiring adam zimmer, let’s say the bengals do it. and 2012 is an absolute mess at LB. now what do you do? fire adam zimmer after 1 season? which will po mike zimmer. keep adam around? which is going to make marvin po’d?

staying away from adam zimmer would be the safe bet. getting duffner back in cincy would be a solid move.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 26, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Plus he may not like working with/under his dad.

My dad is ornery like Zim, couldn’t imagine working for him.

by Cry on Jan 26, 2012 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

If my occupation was being a football coach

My dream would be to coach with my dad. But like you said, maybe that’s not everyone.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 26, 2012 12:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

thats exactly the info i wanted on mini-zim

i knew he’d had those 6 years of experience, but was unaware of his title/responsibilities. thanks Josh.

now can I focus on bringing in Mike Singletary to coach the LB’s if Fitz get’s the boot?

The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day

by TruWhoDey on Jan 26, 2012 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

er

i looked that up.

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 26, 2012 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

Okay...since we are guessing how about this guy:

Kevin Greene? Marvin Lewis brought him in a few years ago as a offseason consultant/trainer to help with the LB’s, and he is now a LB coach with the Packers, maybe Marvin can pull some strings and get him to come over???

PS: In 1995 Kevin Greene hit Brett Favre so hard that he caused the quarterback to spit up blood.

by pemci on Jan 26, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

Reedy seems to think that the LB coach will be an inside hire

and DB coach outside.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 26, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

not buying any of this until the deal is signed

bucs have been doing the crazy ivan for 2 weeks on their coaching search

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 26, 2012 11:03 AM EST reply actions

RE: Me neither

Apparently Schiano was also a finalist in St. Louis. He also interviewed twice with the Buccaneers. It appears far more likely that Schiano is more ready for the jump than Kelly was, who was closing in on a National Championship.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 26, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

Not as big of a transition if you ask me. Schiano seems like a no nonsense type of coach with pro tendencies. I forget, what coaching tree is he from?

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 26, 2012 11:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

he was:

GA at Rutgers
GA at Penn State
DB coach at Penn State
Chicago bears (def)
Chicago bears (DB Coach) both under Dave Wannstedt
Miami DC and
then Rutgers HC

by pemci on Jan 26, 2012 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

Thanks buddy

Thought it was a defensive minded coach. Just forgot who.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 26, 2012 11:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

no problem. :)

by pemci on Jan 26, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

trying to recall what the DBs were like under wannstedt

i don’t follow the bears that closely. i do remember wannstedt’s team being rather disappointing annually in chicago. of course coming from a bengals fan, it really takes a pair on me to call anyone’s team out for a couple of mediocre seasons…

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 26, 2012 11:18 AM EST up reply actions

Walt Harris

Donnell Woolford
Kevin Minniefield

That seems to be about it, a lot of big names (Alonzo Spellman, Bryan Cox, Richard Dent) on Defense, but not many in the DB/S position

by pemci on Jan 26, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah they always had a pretty tough D

As you would expect from a Wannastedt-led team but his offenses were always abysmal. I think he led them to a 13-3 season with that defense but they got beat by Tony Dungy’s Bucs I believe. Not exactly sure how good the actual DB’s were though.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 26, 2012 11:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Just let it be over already. Please.

by Ben-GAL on Jan 26, 2012 11:09 AM EST reply actions

+1 Get it over already, this has gone on too long....

by pemci on Jan 26, 2012 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

Just goes to show up...you never stop learning...

I did not know that Dick Jauron played for the Bengals…

by pemci on Jan 26, 2012 11:19 AM EST reply actions

Oh yeah....

When the Bengals played Buffalo that’s all they talked about on the broadcast.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 26, 2012 12:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I must of missed that...

My main memory from that game was Brian Leonard rushing the ball and bring us closer for Mike Nugent’s FG! It’s GOOD! It’s GOOD!!! Bengals beat the Undefeated Bills!!

by pemci on Jan 26, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

Hahaha

Yup. It was definitely something like that for me as well.

by whodeycommish14 on Jan 26, 2012 3:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

One thing I'm worried about

I’m glad it (apparently) isn’t Zimmer, but what about Leonard? I believe he’s a FA, and he played under Schiano at Rutgers. Tampa Bay needs options at RB other than Blount. Hopefully, Leonard won’t be tempted to go play for his old coach.

by Big Sky Bengal on Jan 26, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions

Leonard is under contract through next season, and will be an UFA in 2013

He has one more year remaining on his contract:

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/brian-leonard/

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 26, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

Assuming Coyle takes the DC position in Miami, what are anyone's thoughs about Rod Woodson as Secondary coach

He currently just finished his first season as Cornerbacks Coach of the Raiders, and so offering him a position as Secondary Coach is a step up, and not just a lateral move.

Plus, Marvin has experience with Woodson having coached him when Woodson spent three seasons at Baltimore.

Moreover, Ithe Raiders new HC, Dennis Allen (although not yet officially confirmed as HC) may want to bring in some of his own people to his staff (especially considering that Allen was a D-coordinator, he may have someone in mind to be his secondary coach, other than Woodson). Plus, when new Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie fired Hue Jackson, Jackson warned that nobody’s job on the coaching staff was safe and that McKenzie could, “Clean House”.

Also, the reason I like Woodson is because the Raiders secondary had 18 INTs last season (the Bengals had 10), and they were even playing without Nnamdi who left via FA. I specifically recall Zimmer saying, during the course of last season, that the defense needed to have more INTs. Well, Woodson just coached a group to have 8 more picks than the Bengals did this season. And for those who worry about the Radiers ranking near the bottom in Passing Yards per game allowed, please note that both the Giants and Patriots (i.e. the 2 SuperBowl teams), allowed more yards Passing yards per game than the Raiders. I am impressed by the Raiders 18 INTS, and I specifically recall Zimmer being frustrated with the team’s lack fo INTs last season.

Ultimately, there is a Lewis-Woodson connection, and again, hiring Woodson as the secondary coach would be a step up for him, since he was only the cornerbacks coach this past season.

Thoughts?

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 26, 2012 12:37 PM EST reply actions

Agree. Said this on previous posts.

David Fulcher is another option. He is coaching High School locally.

by sofakingood on Jan 26, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

I would jump all over Woodson. He has all of the tangibles as well as the intangibles.

He did it. He knows it technically. He would command immediate respect from the secondary and they would listen to him. I remember watching him in a vid talking to a group od DB and they were all glued to his every word.

I just might, plaease don’t take my head off here, have a sit down with Ray Lewis as I am sure he wants to stay in the game and he and ML have a close relationship. Man, would that make news on The NFL Network. Won’t happen but fun to ponder.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Jan 26, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

As much as I don't care for Ray as a person....

I think he would make a fine coach. You can see the way he has mentored younger guys through the years, and he is fiery, and one of the best to ever play the position.

by Ben-GAL on Jan 26, 2012 2:45 PM EST up reply actions