Sapp Worked Behind Scenes For Millard
February 10th, 2011
Though his main, high-profile gig is analyst for NFL Network (don’t have the NFL Network? Might want to check your pants), Warren Sapp still works behind the scenes for the Bucs as sort of a consultant.
He worked with Gerald McCoy in the offseason to get him prepared for the NFL and now Sapp is sort of an advisor of sorts on picking assistant coaches.
Good guy Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times brings word that Sapp worked behind the scenes to get newly hired defensive line coach Keith Millard hired.
Millard also coached Sapp at Oakland.
“They put me on the phone with Dominik and I told him to hire this man,” Sapp said. “You’ll never have a problem with him. He’s not looking to become a head coach. He’s nothing but a workaholic. You think he doesn’t know the Cover 2 (defense) or the three technique? He is the original. It’s always been him, John Randle and me. I was with the man. I know a hard worker. I worked for (Rod) Marinelli.”
Sapp played under Millard at the end of his career when Millard was an assistant with the Raiders. Sapp credits the coach for much of his late-career success.
“I told Raheem, I don’t know what you’re thinking, but if you’ve got a defensive line position open and want somebody to work with a young guy like Gerald McCoy, Millard is the guy,” Sapp said. “I’ve done everything I can, but I don’t have the time to really teach the kid. This man I played under, and he gave me 10 sacks with the Raiders as a 32-year-old. This is the man you got to hire.”
This is beyond cool to read.
Yeah, Joe knows Sapp can be an ogre when he wants and Joe has had a run-in with him too, only to have Sapp walk away from Joe laughing at Joe’s response to the confrontation.
But it’s way cool that Sapp still thinks about the Bucs so much he worked out with GMC and advises Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik on who to hire as an assistant coach.
February 10th, 2011 at 9:41 am
Nice to see even ex players want Rah to do good
February 10th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Very cool of soon to be hall of famed Warren Sapp! Nice to hear that he, along with Derrick Brooks, are bridging the gap from that Championship team to this one! Plus, Warren is a smart guy. He see’s what they are building here, and is happy to have his name associated with it. Working with the Rookies, recommending Coaches- he’ll get credit when we win. And he’ll deserve it, too! Even our alumni rock!
February 10th, 2011 at 10:36 am
This is not hate. But Sapp hit on something that I have suspected all along.
Sapp said, “He’s not looking to become a head coach.” HMMM.
Why is it important that they hire a coach who doesn’t want to be a head coach? Why not hire the best available coach. You are going to be picking from a thin list of candidates if you limit your selection to those who dont want to be a HC.
Might this be a clue into what happened with Jags, Bates, Pete and Rich B. Probably.
February 10th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Thomas, because you are able to keep them for a long time to grow with the team. Morris is secure right now, so stop with all your blow hard BS. They have a bunch of young guys that they want to grow together, and to have a stable coach is a huge plus.
February 10th, 2011 at 11:11 am
Thomas 2.2
It probably means absolutely nothing. You seem to play semantics and look for the negative in everythig. Are you a lawyer?
1. From everything we have heard, he does seem like the best avaiable
2. If he likes what he does and is not looking to move on to HC material, then he is there longer and you don’t have to worry about him taking off for something else after 1-2 years.
Not aspirng to be a HC is not a knock on the guy. Some guys fit better at certain positions and some guys realize it and some don’t. Example: Singletary. NO doubt in my mind he is a great LB coach but should probably not even sniff another HC job.
JAGS: It was apparant and has been made public – the guy was in over his head and clueless. By all accounts he coasted at BC as well. The Bucs made a mistake there, admitted it, corrected it, and moved on.
BATES: Thought they were getting an experienced teacher, instead they got a guy set on one scheme and one scheme only. One that did not fit the players here that well. The Bucs made a mistake there, admitted it, corrected it, and moved on.
PETE M: Not sure, they say they were not on the same page. Plus he was a zone blocking guy and they were moving back away from that after Jags was fired
RICH B: YES! Hey you got one right!! He admitted he was looking for a path forward. the Bucs have young coordinators and a young HC. there was no where for him to go here. SD is probably in their last year or 2 under Turner, more oportunity to move up.
Again, you seem to try to read into things WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much. Lgihten up and enjoy the success they had and are on the path to having.
February 10th, 2011 at 11:41 am
Dave, don’t forget the Bucs blocked Rich from a few interviews over the years.
February 10th, 2011 at 11:42 am
Not just the Raheem years…Hawaiian put it best when he said Thomas would not be happy if Jesus came down to coach the line…Not a word for word quote…
February 10th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
thomas and his witch hunt continues. get on some meds dude, seriously. this sh!t’s getting really old now.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Yet another thread destroyed by that $lut Thomass. I love how the little bitch said a few nice things with his fingers crossed when all the discussion about how he drags JBF down reach fever pitch.
He bought some goodwill and it didn’t feel good. He doesn’t like making rationale thoughts, so now he is back to his old self.
At least you tried to be a normal human being, lil’ buddy! Its not your fault, you can’t help but be a whiny little girl on her period. We forgive you!
February 10th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Listen, why so sensitive. I think that it is strange that apparently the staff wants to hire from a group who do not have HC ambitions.
Some have pointed out a reason, albeit one I am not buying, as to why. There is no evil intent here.
I believe that Rah, and many other coaches who are young and didnt play in the NFL, have a kind-of inferiority complex. I think Gruden had one until he won a super bowl.
I also believe that we have had a disproportionate number of assistants leave in two short years.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
“Why is it important that they hire a coach who doesn’t want to be a head coach? Why not hire the best available coach. You are going to be picking from a thin list of candidates if you limit your selection to those who dont want to be a HC.”
———————-
My God Thomas, that is the stupidest question you have ever asked (and that is saying a lot). Please tell me you are joking! It’s really not even worth answering, because I’m pretty sure you are not even serious. But if you are, I am now officially worried about you.
But because I can’t resist, here goes. You obviously want long term stability in your coaching staff. It’s no secret that is the secret to long term success in the NFL. If you can find a qualified guy who is happy at that level, that is an excellent bonus. It doesn’t mean you only hire those types, but if you are deciding between a few guys, you obviously pick the one that will be there the longest. DUH!!!! You obviously work for someone instead of being the boss (nothing wrong with that), but every boss in any profession would do the same. Besides, that was coming out of Sapp’s mouth, not Raheem’s. You really do try to spin everything negative, don’t you? You must be a barrel of fun to be around.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
@Thomas,
First of all, we did not have a large number of assistants leave. Second, you don’t think Olsen wants to be a head coach? His name has already been tossed around after only one full year as the OC (with a training camp). With the success he will be having here, he’ll be gone soon. You can bank on that. Van Pelt has also been considered for HC jobs, albeit in college. You don’t think he wants to be a HC? Keep an eye out for Yarber too. He definitely fits the mold of the new school type coaches, and he will be a hot commodity in the future as well. So it is ridiculous and stupid for you to assume that they are only hiring guys who don’t want to be a HC. Again, you are assuming that was even a factor in the hires to begin with. It’s funny how everyone and their mother thinks this was a great hire, yet you try to make it negative. Don’t you ever get tired of being that way?
February 10th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Gary, Dave, McBuc, gotbbucs, Hawaiian and whoever else will listen-
TIME TO IGNORE THE TROLL. Only respond to warn others to do the same.
February 10th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Hawaiian and others:
So, should dungy and Gruden not employed: Tomlin, Marinelli, Lovie Smith, Jim Caldwell, Herman Edwards, Rich Biasaccia etc b/c they may want promotions?
Lynch, Sapp and Brooks may not have been Lynch, Sapp and Brooks if Dungy and Gruden took that approach.
Should Bellichick not have hired Charlie Weiss, Josh McDaniels, the two Cleveland Head Coaches (Mangini and it escapes me) b/c they had ambitions?
How about Holmgren? Andy Reed, Gruden, Mariucci and so on.
No, great assistant coaches often have ambition. To hire an inferior coach because he doesnt have HC ambitions (which is what Sapp suggests they may be doing) when you have young D-Lineman who need ALOT of work is a huge mistake IMO.
This was not meant to stir up the sheep, just pointing out a sentence from a quote that should be considered.
I don’t get why you guys flip out (not all of you but many) when something other than a rosy comment is made. You all should be complaining about the state of the defense.
February 10th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Because,Thomas, nowhere did you read that was a major factor in their hiring, or the hiring of anyone else for that matter. It was simply brought up by Sapp, who is not an employee. Dominik, Morris, or anyone else employed by the Bucs didn’t say it. Funny how when I give you 3 potential head coaches already on the staff, that goes ignored. What a shocker!
February 10th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Im just really happy that overall we upgraded an already good coaching staff.
Outside of losing Rich Bisaccia they appear to have upgraded the other coaching positions. Hopefully Stukes can carry over the special teams play without a drop off.
February 10th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Um forgive me if I am wrong but Dungy brought in a Coach who did not have aspirations to be a HC what was his name again…..He had a good defense as well… whats his name…
He did take a job with his son. Who did have a NFL HC as well as College HC job. This coach that Both Coach Dungy & Coach Gruden had nothing but Praise for never had HC aspirations…
Now his assistants yeah they have had HC aspirations Edwards, Smith, Marinelli, Tomlin, Morris all had the drive to want to be a HC more if truth be told from the staffs of that coach who didn’t have HC dreams Dungy brought to the team back in 96.. he was here over 10 years. Kiffin oh yeah not a bad coach who just never wanted to be the Head coach
February 10th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Excellent point Rhino. Too bad it will fall on Thomas’s dead ears.
February 10th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Kiffin didn’t want a HC position? Wonder why the first interested team he went and interviewed with them? You guys don’t remember? Kiffin had just intereviewed with the 49ers and from what I remember reading was, it was Gruden who talked Kiffin into staying.
February 10th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
And no! It’s another thread, killed by you guys bitching at Thomas. Really, don’t read him or don’t reply, if you don’t like his comments. It takes two to tango!
February 10th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Oar,
I think Kiffin took that interview because the 49ers requested it. That doesn’t mean he wanted it or was going to take it. It probably just got his interest. If I remember correctly, Gruden did talk him out of it as well, but I do remember Kiffin later saying he did not want to ever be a HC. I’m pretty sure if he did want to be one, he would have. Agreed?
As for Thomas, you are right. I actually don’t mind that kind of post from him, I find it rather funny.
February 10th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Hawaiian,
Aloha! I guess, if he said it? Then, you are right about him not ever wanting to be HC. But, I don’t think that was part of his resume/qualities or reason, that got Dungy to hire him here.
February 10th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Oar,
No I’m sure it wasn’t. Just like I’m sure it wasn’t a big reason for this hire either.
February 11th, 2011 at 3:30 am
That was absolutely a great read…
…Thomas 2.2 gotta admit that remark about Millard “not wanting to be a head coach…” snagged me – and I wondered if anyone else picked up on it as well.
It’s slightly off-topic – but because Super Buc Sapp brought it up….I’m also wondering if Sapp unintentionally revealed that there may have been more going on regarding Ol’ Blood & Guts Bates…than not getting the job done the way Raheem wanted?
Would enjoy hearing a follow-up about the fall-out of Sapps remark from the halls of OBP regarding an attempted mutiny by Bates?
Back to reality – I LOVE that Sapp LOVES the Millard hiring. I’m still a little confused by the co-defensive line coach approach…two-headed monsters don’t often last long. I have to admit that we definitely need as much focus on generating a pass rush, as we do at stopping the run.
Keep ’em coming!
February 11th, 2011 at 9:07 am
Great point about monte and the niners. Gru promoted monte to associate head coach and got monte a big raise.
So, wrong again rhyno.