Sparano Is Out; Leverage Wins
January 11th, 2014
Offensive linemen are taught to maximize their leverage all the time — “low man wins” — and it seems the man the San Francisco Chronicle reported to be the Bucs’ new offensive line coach followed those teachings.
Tony Sparano is not coming to Tampa Bay.
The Raiders announced he’s staying with them as offensive line/assistant head coach, and he signed a new two-year contract, which seems odd considering Raiders head coach Dennis Allen is on thin ice.
Late Tuesday, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote that Sparano chose Tampa Bay 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.
Well, it seems Sparano played the leverage game well and spooked the Raiders into giving him the two-year contract he wanted.
This is a loss for the Bucs. Sparano has a great history as an O-line coach. Bucs icon Derrick Brooks even praised him on WDAE-AM 620 on Wednesday as a great communicator and an asset to the Bucs staff.
Hopefully, Jeff Tedford has a go-to guy. Lovie Smith didn’t have much luck building an offensive line in Chicago.
January 11th, 2014 at 8:58 am
Got some security while working for a weak coach. When Allen goes and he is, Sparano wants to be the next man up. Glad he didn’t come. Would not have been faithful to Lovie.
January 11th, 2014 at 9:01 am
Sparano has been an NFL nomad since working as the Cowboy’s OLine coach. Dolphins head coach, Jets OC, Raiders OLine coach… he hasn’t done a good job in any of his recent stops… well, at least the Dolphins and Jets.
January 11th, 2014 at 9:03 am
What’s Pete Mangurian doing these days?
January 11th, 2014 at 9:10 am
What about Bob Bostad? He got rave reviews in 2012. After all the injuries, he just ran out of miracles last year. This is a good O-Line coach. He should be considered.
January 11th, 2014 at 9:11 am
disapointing.
January 11th, 2014 at 9:29 am
Leverage usually wins….nice for Lovie to be able to get his friends raises….Maye Tony will return the favor.
January 11th, 2014 at 9:38 am
Bob. Bostad. Next question please!
January 11th, 2014 at 10:24 am
A true Parcells disciple! Can we PLEASE move on from anything Parcells related? I would not hire ANY coach from his tree EVER, they are ALL manipulating, two-faced slugs. I feel better now. How about Mike Munchak?
January 11th, 2014 at 10:38 am
That’s a bummer. But I’d be totally OK with Bostad or Munchak. Or maybe the old O-line coach from Minny. I assume he got fired too. I know Peterson is a beast and can run behind any line, but even Gerhart and that other dude no body ever heard of, Asiati, ran very well behind that line. I’m guessing it will be someone I never heard of with a kick ass resume, like some of his hires have been so far. And I’m perfectly OK with that.
January 11th, 2014 at 10:46 am
Embarrassing. That’s what it is. He wanted to stay with the Raiders and a lame duck coach rather than tampa and Lovie. Money? I wonder.
January 11th, 2014 at 10:48 am
Basic rule we learn in the sales world…….it is NOT a done deal until it is SIGNED and PAID FOR.
Memo to media: S L O W down on the announcements. Somehow I knew I could wait a few more days until I knew for sure that Sparano was/was not coming.
January 11th, 2014 at 10:54 am
I just looked it up. Vikings coaching staff is still there. I guess I shouldn’t have shot before I looked.
January 11th, 2014 at 11:00 am
I agree the media needs to slow it up. I don’t remember them being THIS bad before, but it they were wrong about every other team, as much as they have been with the Bucs…. Well that’s just an embarrassment to the profession.
To be clear Joe, I don’t include you in that statement. I’m talking about the guys getting everyone to report on their misinformation.
Glazer, Schefty, Rappaport, and Mort all competing with each other on speed, and its failing
January 11th, 2014 at 11:13 am
Munchak may want a college gig; i think there is an off-set if he works in the NFL but keeps all his pay in a college position.
January 11th, 2014 at 11:36 am
Mike J,
Munchak interviewed yesterday with Bill O’Brien at the Texans for O-Line coach. Franklin from Vanderbilt got the Penn State job.
January 11th, 2014 at 11:52 am
So the media said
Chip Kelly would be the Bucs head coach
than Rod Maranelli will the DC under Lovie Smith
and Tony Sparano would be O-Line Coach
Basically when it comes to the media regarding info on hiring staff for the Bucs organization don’t buy it until its official.
January 11th, 2014 at 3:03 pm
^^ A good policy in general.
January 11th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
From bucsnation.com:
“The Buccaneers may look to Jim Michalczik, currently the offensive line coach for the Arizona Wildcats. Michalczik has a long history of working with Jeff Tedford, as he was his offensive line coach throughout all but two years of Tedford’s tenure at California. During those two years Michalczik coached the Oakland Raiders’ offensive line under Tom Cable, which will only speak in his favor.”