Football Bucs rejected by Cowher, Gruden before hiring Smith

Eleazar · 01-13-2014, 09:22 AM

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.

Dayze · 01-13-2014, 09:26 AM

Pioli is available.

Jimmya · 01-13-2014, 09:34 AM

Those dudes are to comfortable making millions on tv.

Dayze · 01-13-2014, 09:35 AM

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

BlackHelicopters · 01-13-2014, 09:35 AM

Crennel is off the market.

Mr_Tomahawk · 01-13-2014, 09:38 AM

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.

Dayze · 01-13-2014, 09:40 AM

Quote:

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.

and so much love for Cowher for whatever reason. Talk about overrated.

Eleazar · 01-13-2014, 09:42 AM

I don't think those guys are interested in coming back. It's just the standard two names that lazy reporters float for any opening

houstonwhodat · 01-13-2014, 09:43 AM

Lovie Smith = OVERRATED

mikey23545 · 01-13-2014, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Those dudes are to comfortable making millions on tv.

to ≠ too

BlackHelicopters · 01-13-2014, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Those dudes are to comfortable making millions on tv.

Doubt they are making millions.

HoneyBadger · 01-13-2014, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

Doubt they are making millions.

Gruden makes about 4 mil/year. I'm sure cowher is a bit less but still up there.

OrtonsPiercedTaint · 01-13-2014, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

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

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.

Pretty limp salad

Garcia Bronco · 01-13-2014, 10:28 AM

How is this even a headline? Those two turn everyone down every year.

**Gonzo** · 01-13-2014, 11:07 AM

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

01-13-2014, 09:22 AM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Bucs rejected by Cowher, Gruden before hiring Smith 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.
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01-13-2014, 09:26 AM	#2
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5259358	Pioli is available. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
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01-13-2014, 09:34 AM	#3
Jimmya Veteran Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10024530	Those dudes are to comfortable making millions on tv.
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01-13-2014, 09:35 AM	#4
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5259358	they should hire Cowher; he could bring home another SB Trophy in 14 years. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,356

01-13-2014, 09:35 AM	#5
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2800588	Crennel is off the market. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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01-13-2014, 09:38 AM	#6
Mr_Tomahawk Prestige Worldwide Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Spring Hill, KS Casino cash: $3130526	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. __________________ Adopt-A-Chief: John Dorsey
Posts: 18,384

01-13-2014, 09:42 AM	#8
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	I don't think those guys are interested in coming back. It's just the standard two names that lazy reporters float for any opening
Posts: 80,659

01-13-2014, 09:43 AM	#9
houstonwhodat Banned Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Parallel Universe Casino cash: $10004900	Lovie Smith = OVERRATED
Posts: 2,637

01-13-2014, 10:28 AM	#14
Garcia Bronco No Keys, No Problem Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Denver Casino cash: $5373136	How is this even a headline? Those two turn everyone down every year.
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