Bucs rejected by Cowher, Gruden before hiring Smith

[Eleazar]

Bucs were interested in Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden before hiring Lovie
JASON LA CANFORA
CBS Sports NFL Insider

Tampa Bay ownership pursued a reunion with former Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden, according to league sources, making a run at him prior to their eventual hiring of former Bears coach Lovie Smith. Furthermore, according to league sources, the Bucs sent word to former Steelers coach Bill Cowher about their interest in him back in November, but were quickly informed Cowher was more than happy working as an analyst for CBS.

The Glazer family, which owns the Buccaneers, has been reaching back to some former employees following the firing of coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik, and, some believe, they may ultimately approach former coach Tony Dungy about an upper-management position once his son concludes his college career at Oregon. Smith is a former assistant of Dungy's in Tampa, and the idea of reconnecting with their salad days seems to be resonating with the ownership group.

Gruden, like Dungy, still lives in the central Florida area and the allure of bringing either back would hold substantial weight with their fanbase and likely help with ticket sales. Many top coaches view the Tampa situation as one of the best opportunities of this offseason, given the talent assembled there, but not all left there on great terms with the organization. Gruden, who was also pursued by the Oakland Raiders, did not have interest in the job and Dungy has been steadfast he will never coach again (though, again, some wonder if a special consultant-type role might one day appeal to him).

The Bucs are still sorting out their new front-office structure, with it quite possible that Smith could end up holding considerable sway about personnel as well. Smith has several young execs he would like to work with there -- Chris Ballard of the Chiefs among them -- but many lack the experience that would cement their status as general managers. It remains to be seen if the new general manager in Tampa will in essence end up reporting to Smith, which, in the eyes of many veteran execs, could be a flawed structure given Smith's lack of expertise in that regard.

[chiefs1111]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Christ... How can Gruden be such a hot commodity?

I think Its the hair

[Anyong Bluth]

Going back to the well with Gruden: Part Duex, huh?

Honestly, I think both these guys are rather enjoying the laid back nature of their tv gigs, and get paid pretty good coin to really do about 3% of the work they had to put in as coaches and still probably make about half of what they did the last time they were coaching.

I really don't see a lot of lure attracting them back- they both won a ring. Someone would likely have to backup a dump truck of cash to probably even tempt them to entertain making a return to the sidelines.

... my $$$ is neither will be coming back anytime soon!

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Christ... How can Gruden be such a hot commodity?

Generally an amiable guy who is respected, liked, and conducts himself in a professional manner. He's done well to take his broadcast gig serious, so he's got both sides that hold him in high opinion.

Besides, everyone loves Chucky's QB camp. It's gone from webisodes to a full blowout feature on ABC that's a couple hours long, and one of their more heavily trafficked series of clips via streaming for ESPN.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Christ... How can Gruden be such a hot commodity?

Media and front offices love personalities.

[alpha_omega]

Too bad...i would really like those Cowher Time Warner commercials to stop.

[Tombstone RJ]

I like Lovie Smith, he's also got a history with TB as I think he was TB's defensive coordinator before he went to Chicago as the HC.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

So much buzz for those two guys who have been out of the game for a while.

I can't wait when/if they decide to come back and then completely bomb....lol.

This...

[Predarat]

Everyone is rejected by those two asshats. They are way too picky. Bet they have been asked by 30 teams, some of them twice.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by Predarat

Everyone is rejected by those two asshats. They are way too picky. Bet they have been asked by 30 teams, some of them twice.

they have been asked by the same dumpster fire franchises that have no winning pedigree

so I don't blame them for saying no.

[R8RFAN]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Christ... How can Gruden be such a hot commodity?

He is a great motivator

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by Dayze

they should hire Cowher; he could bring home another SB Trophy in 14 years.

Sadly that's way better than anything we've done.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Christ... How can Gruden be such a hot commodity?

I think even Gruden ask this about himself thus why keeps turning down teams.

[Rasputin]

What I think is funny is when Herm Edwards announces or makes a point on ESPN he is not interested in coaching and likes what he is doing. As if teams are knocking on his door

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

What I think is funny is when Herm Edwards announces or makes a point on ESPN he is not interested in coaching and likes what he is doing. As if teams are knocking on his door

He does get calls, for front office jobs and position coaching spots.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

He does get calls, for front office jobs and position coaching spots.

Yeah but that's not HC the Head Cheese of a football team. That's what he talks about. Why would he take a lesser job? I can see front office maybe but not position coach after being HC for a couple teams.