Report: Tony Sparano To Join Bucs
January 8th, 2014
When new Bucs coach Lovie Smith came to One Buc Palace Monday for his formal coronation, he stated he hoped to complete the hiring of his coaching staff by Saturday.
Though the end of the week is not yet here, another new addition has leaked: that is former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano.
Though he hasn’t been the head man in South Florida for a few years, Sparano recently was an offensive line coach for the Raiders and, per Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, joined the Bucs after a contract dispute with Raiders owner Mark Davis.
While [general manager Reggie] McKenzie and [head coach Dennis] Allen were pushing for two-year contracts for the assistant coaches, Davis held firm on one-year deals, and so far five coaches have agreed to that. We haven’t confirmed the names of the five, but league sources said offensive line coach Tony Sparano balked and is set to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff.
Sparano was also an offensive line coach for Tuna Parcells when the Hall of Fame coach was at Dallass. Later, when Parcells was hired as president of the Dolphins, Parcells hand-picked Sparano to be the Dolphins head coach.
Sparano also spent a season with the Jets in 2012 as offensive coordinator. It is unclear what role Sparano will fill under Lovie.
January 8th, 2014 at 7:19 am
“another name has leaked out of a new addition to Schiano’s staff and that is former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.”
Not Schiano again! Please tell me it isn’t so…..
January 8th, 2014 at 7:29 am
“Schiano’s staff”
You two sure miss Gregory, don’t you?
January 8th, 2014 at 7:56 am
I saw that too! Hahaha
January 8th, 2014 at 8:06 am
Fairly cool with this choice. Davis’ option of 1-year contracts rings of Gruden and Allen. We could build anything here because no player felt the team committed to them. Raiders will suck for a long time with this attitutde. Welcome Tony.
January 8th, 2014 at 8:17 am
Like it. While Sparano had his issues as a head coach and coordinator, he’s always had great offensive lines. Also has done a great job adjusting to his talent, as he was the one who started the wildcat fad because of what he had in Miami. These coaches all have history in the NFL, and that will go a long way with the Bucs players who have been dealing with college coaches for two years.
January 8th, 2014 at 8:39 am
Just guessing here, but maybe Sparano takes Jimmy Raye’s old job, Senior Offensive Assistant.
January 8th, 2014 at 8:47 am
Good hire. Spartans is a good O-line coach. He is terrible as an OC or HC, but he can coach up our line
January 8th, 2014 at 9:00 am
Wow, what an extreme change in coaching staffs. Unlike the old regime, full of college coaches and first time NFLers, Lovie is loading his staff with guys that have been in or around the league for ages and many of them have been head coaches themselves. Many on this coaching staff know the ins and outs of how a team is ran, what each position coach is responsible for, and (you would think) how to do their respective jobs. Complete opposite of Schiano’s staff. We’ll see if this philosophy pays off.
January 8th, 2014 at 9:08 am
Staff is miles ahead of what Schiano could attract.
Interesting mix with the longstanding NFL vet Soprano with the college coach OC and QB coach.
January 8th, 2014 at 9:43 am
It sure does help when you have theis sort if credibility and RESPECT from your nfl peers. Schiano never had that and couldn’t put a decent staff together. Thank you lovie. Let’s bring a some respect back to Tampa.
January 8th, 2014 at 9:58 am
Iy
Last years stars that brought excitement was the signing of Revis and Goldson. This year so far the stars are the competent coachs ( many former head coaches) and those associated with respected staff/players from yesteryear. Now THAT is the true cultural change Tampa Bay needs. When those players walk unto Raymond James Stadium there can be a sense of pride and history there. Hope next year we can get Brooks and Dungy involved. Good work Glazers/Smith!
January 8th, 2014 at 10:03 am
Solid hire as OL coach.
January 8th, 2014 at 10:16 am
Eric,
The Glazers were left in the starting blocks and had to settle with the Schiano hire. Schiano was left with slim pickings to fill key positions thereafter. For better or worse, it’s no surprise that they pulled the trigger so quickly on Lovie.
I do believe we will have to settle for a GM now given the control afforded to Lovie.
January 8th, 2014 at 10:19 am
For the record, I like this hire…. many of these same players sent two head coaches and a GM packing. That’s much more difficult with credible NFL coaches and assistants calling the shots.
January 8th, 2014 at 10:20 am
If all he does is coach the OL that is fine he seems like he’s a great position coach but man was he a horrible conservative train wreck coach for the Dolphins, constantly settling for FGs and punts instead of being aggressive. I just hope Love has learned his lesson and let’s Tedford run wild running an aggressive offense & Love can focus on managing personnel/personalities & crafting a tough defense. We still need a QB and a legit slot WR. I’m hoping for the best but I secretly have this worry we are going to go back to the days of trying to win games 13-10 which is not only painful to watch but a bad idea in the modern offensive driven NFL.
January 8th, 2014 at 10:25 am
Ohh yeah! A Real Gangster! Former Coach and Offensive Coordinator! Go Bucs! Go Bucs! Stop Bitching about that punk Shitano!
January 8th, 2014 at 11:09 am
Matthew…It is hard to say if we need a QB. Glennon played pretty well as a rookie on a bad team with all sorts of issues including injuries, MRSA, bad scheme, bad head coach, lack of weapons, etc. It is funny how everyone is bashing Sully though, last year at this time Joe was writing articles about losing him to a head coaching gig. I think Shiano killed his offense, and the injuries to key players hurt as well. Glennon may be much better than anyone thinks, becasue he did ok under 2013’s bad organization.
January 8th, 2014 at 11:28 am
McBuc I think it’s a little easier to say we don’t have a top tier QB. Glennon may or may not have played better all things considered, it’s an unknowable concept as it’s strictly hypothetical. What I do know is he did have a Pro-Bowl WR, (something many QBs don’t have in this league) and a sub-standard WRs 2-5 once Mike Williams went down. Tim Wright while he’ll never be confused with Jimmie Graham was at least on par with an average NFL TE, and while the O-line wasn’t stellar it also wasn’t the worst in the league, it was average (which isn’t acceptable for what they made $$$ wise but certainly not horrible). Our RBs were great all year even despite the injuries to Martin so it’s not like Glennon was playing for the Dolphins, Raiders, or Washington. Glennon while doing some good things as a rookie was far to ineffective with his YPA which is a great indicator for how well a QB plays. At no time did I watch Glennon and say “wow there’s only 10 guys in the league who can make that throw”. Glennon does lots of things well or average (strong arm, not turn the ball over, good command of the huddle) and a few things horribly (pocket presence, throwing on the run, Completion % under pressure). He could prove me wrong but I think he is who he showed he was over the course of 13 games, a fringe starter & potentially great back-up QB. If he wants to compete for the starters job next season great, I’m for competition but I just didn’t see enough to say “Yeah that’s our next franchise QB for the next decade”. I’m tired of the game manager just okay QB, we Buc’s fans have settled for that for over 30+ years, it’s time to go get a dynamic QB and whether you have to keep drafting one till you get one or trade for one you go do it. The days of winning 13-10 are over in the NFL at least if you want to be a consistent contender.
January 8th, 2014 at 11:30 am
[…] No matter what you thought of Greg Schiano, if you are a Bucs fan you have to like how the new coaching staff is coming together. [JoeBucsFan] […]
January 8th, 2014 at 11:41 am
Equipment manager or O-Line coach I’m ok with….watching him celebrate fgs like they were Super Bowl winners was painful yet comedic. You can’t argue with the experience factor I suppose.
January 8th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
I don’t quite follow. He was oline coach for the raiders wasn’t he? So why would things be different here?
January 8th, 2014 at 1:29 pm
We still need to get some new offensive lineman. First get rid of Nicks. Thanks again Dom for that signing. Need to reevaluate other lineman, namely Penn.
January 8th, 2014 at 2:45 pm
tomcin….really?
u didn’t like the nicks signing? everyone was praising it. don’t be silly because of your hate.
January 8th, 2014 at 3:32 pm
btw, he also worked with Greg Olson in Oakland. talk about a flashback, lol.
January 8th, 2014 at 3:34 pm
Nicks was an excellent signing. He was the top guard in the nfl. His toe injury was a freak occurrence. Unfortunate, but not anyone’s fault.
January 8th, 2014 at 3:38 pm
That is the danger of signing free agents…which I remind everyone, I pointed out when people were complaining that the Glazers were not signing any.
Most free agents are near or in their 30s, a time when the chance of injuries increases. But even the younger ones are at risk in Tampa, where the TC is 120 degrees and the environment is among the four most humid (others being Miami, Dallas and Houston.
If we only had a retractable dome…bet the injuries would decrease.
January 8th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
This guy has bounced around so much…not a fan of this hiring.