Bucs Block Cullen Interview Request
January 9th, 2016
Denied interview request.
It is a sign that the Bucs surely liked some of Lovie Smith’s defensive coaches: retaining (for the time being) linebackers coach Hardy Nickerson and fiery defensive line coach Joe Cullen.
If a report by FOX Sports’ Mike Garafalo is true, then the Bucs really like Cullen and he very well may be part of the next coaching regime. It appears the Bucs are denying requests from other teams to interview Cullen, specifically the Chargers’.
And this could mean that the Bucs are close to naming Lovie’s successor, though Joe is totally speculating.
January 9th, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Go bucs stop that bs
January 9th, 2016 at 1:40 pm
This speculation is sooo much fun but let’s be honest…we are still without enough facts to draw definitive conclusions.
We have no idea what really has taken place behind the scenes…that’s why we call it BEHIND THE SCENES. LOL
But it’s fun trying to play the game of clue. After Licht’s presser I believe this happened recently. Licht who is normally a really composed kind of guy with a quick wit was ashen and distraught at that PC. If the Bucs had been planning this for any length of time Licht would have been ready and better composed.
And so if it was the final four game slide…the same thing that did in Chucky..it’s how you finish not how you start…then the Glazers simply had enough and as Tom Jones pointed out probably FELT that Lovie just was not the answer.
What about this clue of not only keeping Cullen but protecting him like this?
Sometime in the past month the Glazers hatched a plan going forward and probably bounced a lot of ideas off of Licht and any other confidants they keep.
If the Bucs hire Koetter and then bring in Schwartz, move Bajakian to OC, it’s going to feel at least some thinking went behind this over the past month.
January 9th, 2016 at 1:45 pm
If he leaves, our DL won’t get any qb pressure! Oh wait…
January 9th, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Cullen is good DL coach, when healthy our D-Line was pretty good but when the injuries piled up a lack of depth killed us, especially when it comes to an edge rush.
Bucs would be crazy to let him and Hardy go
January 9th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Actually, I think Cullen & Nickerson have done good jobs as coaches….Cullen’s problem is talent at DE….just mediocre at best. I like his fire.
It seems to me that the Bucs are doing the best they can to keep most of their coaching staff in tact (sans HC &…secondary)
I also think this could be another indication that Koetter is the choice and he may have already given the nod to Cullen.
Here is a question…..Has Koetter been interviewed for the job?….or, have there simply been informal discussions along with a few winks & nods?
January 9th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Espo –
LOL
January 9th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Cullen for DC?
January 9th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
@Espo
hahaha!!
January 9th, 2016 at 3:17 pm
I disagree that he’s been a good Dline coach, but in hte end it will be up to the new head coach as to whether he stays.
January 9th, 2016 at 3:30 pm
Doesn’t this mean that the Bucs are considering Cullen for DC? Teams usually do not hold back their coaches from a promotion unless they are considering to promote them also.
January 9th, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Something else to think about too. Something must be in the works behind closed doors at One Buc. Koetter must be in the plans at some capacity. Him and his agent have been tight lipped and i haven’t heard about any interviews that have been set up with other teams for head coaching positions.
January 9th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
I stated this yesterday in the cullen article and asked if it was a good thought:
Koetter as head coach
Cullen as dc
Bajakian as oc
January 9th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
It would be a cruel thing to do to refuse an interview request if there wasn’t serious consideration for Cullen.
January 9th, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Koetter safe from Miami. He never interviewed, right?
Via rotoworld:
Adam Gase | MIA
(January 9, 2016 11:47 AM EST)
Dolphins hired Adam Gase as head coach.
It is reportedly a five-year deal from the man who will become the youngest coach in the league at just 37. After striking out in offseasons past, owner Stephen Ross finally landed his man. A strong offensive mind who coaxed an efficient season out of Jay Cutler and helped Peyton Manning to some of his best performances, Gase will now be responsible for elevating Ryan Tannehill from an average NFL starter into the franchise quarterback he is paid like. With Gase gone, the Bears could turn to QB coach Dowell Loggains for their coordinator spot, although Gase could look to bring Loggains with him to Miami. Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter could also be a consideration if the Lions let him walk.
SOURCE: IAN RAPOPORT ON TWITTER
January 9th, 2016 at 4:12 pm
it doesnt say which position they are wanting to interview him for. And that would be interesting Lurker, not a lot of coordinator expierience though. But it would be really hard to be worse than 8-24.
January 9th, 2016 at 4:13 pm
This sounds like the same thing the Glazers did when they let Dungy go….they kept . Kiffin and the Dungy defense and block a lot of those position coaches. It got us a super bowl last time let’s just hope it work this time….the only drawback is..you pissed some of these guys off by not letting them go else where in as soon as their contract is up they bolt and most assistant coaches contrakcts are 3 years which mean we have 1 year to get this right
January 9th, 2016 at 4:32 pm
It seems to me that this staff was not exactly united. I think everybody respected each other as much as possible but when you have your kids as the safeties coach and one as the “defensive quality control” coach…the nepotism can rankle when the two kids are involved with the part of the team that sucks the most.
This is another area that will be cleaned up…unless Koetter or whichever new coach desides to load our staff with his sons.
January 9th, 2016 at 6:29 pm
Not too impressed with the pass rush this guy generated. He had a $150m defensive line, and could not get consistent pass rush. Run defense was out standing. I’ll give him a lot of credit for that. But an A for run defense, and a F in pass rush, averages to only a D or C overall grade. We need some fresh blood imo.
Nickerson’s linebackers performed outstanding. He is the only guy worth keeping from our defensive coaches. I would even promote him to assistant DC, or run defense coordinator.
January 9th, 2016 at 6:31 pm
I dont think you can block him from interviews of it is for a promotion. Could be different for position coaches though.
January 9th, 2016 at 6:38 pm
It’s pretty obvious they’re hiring DK. The players on offense will remain happy but it will probably piss of the players on defense right? So what should the do to keep them all happy? Well the secondary is getting over hauled so who cares if u fire all the secondary coaches. Our good defenders are on the line and the backers so keep their coaches to keep them happy. Makes sense right?
January 9th, 2016 at 6:44 pm
I believe that only interviews for head coaching cannot be blocked. For coordinator positions, or other, it can be blocked, even if it is for a.promotion. some teams do not block, some do. The Glazers have a history of blocking position coaches.
January 9th, 2016 at 8:52 pm
I like Cullen and hope he is retained. I’m not sure if they are looking at him as a D Coord or not but I like his style.
January 9th, 2016 at 9:46 pm
The Reason behind the BUCS lack of finalizing these hires…
The Rooney Rule
January 9th, 2016 at 9:52 pm
You’re right Lurker. Only Head Coaching jobs can be blocked.
January 9th, 2016 at 10:18 pm
Clowns on this site crying about Lovie hiring his kids are a joke.
Bengals Marvin Lewis (head coach) Marcus Lewis (defensive assistant)
Chiefs Andy Reid (head coach) Britt Reid (quality control)
Rams Jeff Fisher (head coach) Brandon Fisher (assistant secondary coach)
Patriots Bill Belichick (head coach) Steve Belichick (coaching assistant)
Seahawks Pete Carroll (head coach) Nate Carroll (assistant WR coach)
Vikings Mike Zimmer (head coach) Adam Zimmer (LB coach)
Vikings Norv Turner (offensive coordinator) Scott Turner (QB coach)
January 9th, 2016 at 11:31 pm
Reaffirms that Joe don’t know crap
January 10th, 2016 at 1:27 am
Its only a problem if the relatives are not good coaches.
January 10th, 2016 at 2:43 am
Why block this guy?
The d-line was terrible.
Hardy was the only decent coach with the only decent unit
January 10th, 2016 at 6:03 am
d line got stood up and handled on too many pass plays.
January 10th, 2016 at 11:46 am
The reason for the Rooney rule, the entrenched racism in the white owners to give qualified black coaches even a hint of a chance. Acceptable to play but not coach. Please stop crying about this it is a result of the good ol boy system
January 11th, 2016 at 3:54 am
Uhh @racebaiter….of the 21 black head coaches in the leagues history – only ONE came from the pre-2000’s (Fritz Pollard).
Of the 21 men on the list, 5 of them coached in Tampa Bay.
So keep your mouth shut until you can back-up your racists conspiracies – we have little time or patience for you working out your problem with the white devils.