Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Search: Good News and Bad News
There are only two active coaches most consider ready to lead a team and whom have the pedigree to prove it. Mike Zimmer and Joe Philbin have the numbers, experience, and Playoff/Super Bowl credentials which put them at the top of most lists. Both candidates have interviewed with the Buccaneers and recent news puts the Buccaneers in a must act now position. I have been touting my stance on the Buccaneers need to act and the perils of not doing so. While I would love to be proven wrong, recent news dictates otherwise.
THE BAD NEWS: The Miami Dolphins have narrowed their list to three candidates, one of them Joe Philbin. They have already asked for a second interview and Philbin is no doubt at the top of that list. What he would be able to do with the Buccaneers current offensive roster is limitless. Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn would have the potential to become the Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, and Greg Jennings of the NFC south. Unless Miami passes on him, the Bucs have missed their opportunity for one of the premiere offensive minds in the league. He is exactly what this offense needs.
THE GOOD NEWS: Mike Zimmer was apparently “too blunt” for the Miami Dolphins and they have taken his name out of consideration. That “bluntness” would come in handy for a locker room used to hearing “stats are for losers”. The Buccaneers are expected to call Zimmer back for a second interview and unless Philbin is still available, they should offer him a job on the spot. Zimmer is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, taking the 2007 Bengals defense from 27th in total yards allowed to 12th in his first season. This season saw the injury riddled Bengals defense finish 7th in total yards allowed, 9th in points allowed, 10th against the run and 9th against the pass. He is exactly what this defense needs.
With either selection, the Buccaneers address one side of the ball. There are plenty of names out there which would make great coordinators but not head coaches. Zimmer and Philbin should be at the top of the Buccaneers list and that list could be one deep by the end of the week.
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I bringing in a solid defensive coordinator as head coach would almost certainly put us among the top 15 defenses within the first season. Bengals fans certainly don’t want him to go.