Was Schiano Mark Dominik’s First Choice?
January 27th, 2012
Rockstar Bucs general manager Mark Dominik previously has talked publicly about how he’s a defense-first guy. So when the Bucs offered offensive guru Chip Kelly a pile of cash, Joe wondered how Kelly might have wowed Dominik with his defensive plan for the Bucs.
Or perhaps Kelly wasn’t Dominik’s first choice? And that’s where Joe’s money would go now if Joe were to wager on the question.
Speaking today on The Dan Sileo Show on WDAE-AM 620, Dominik shared lots of thoughts on the Schiano hire, including calling himself a “defensive fundamentalist” and explaining that even in the high-flying NFL he believes defense is still king.
“I’m a “defensive fundamentalist” always have been and it’s because I’ve been around the likes of Marty Schottenheimer, Monte Kiffin and Tony Dungy. And that’s all just made sense to me,” Dominik said. “That’s how you get there.That’s how the Baltimore Ravens, you know, get to be a consistent football team. That’s how the Giants are in the Super Bowl again. I just see that that’s the way it works.”
For those unaware, Schiano is a defensive guy. In fact, Dominik called Schiano “a 4-3 fundamentalist” who has a lot of Dick LeBeau and Monte Kiffin in him.
So did Dominik really want Schiano? Keep in mind the Bucs met with Schiano before they offered a job to Kelly and this was Dominik’s first impression of the former Rutgers head coach.
“The first initial meeting with him there was a presence right away when you walked in. The first thing I thought, ‘this guy’s a football coach,'” Dominik said. “I had never met him officially before. But the only thing I felt was, ‘Gosh, this guy, this guy’s a football coach.’ And I love that. And it just felt so right to have a guy with his kind of demeanor and serious attitude, and then knowing how bad he wants to coach back in the National Football League made this a great hire I think for our football team right now.”
Goodness, Joe almost felt like he was listening to the makings of a country song when Dominik shared that moment.
So who’s going to run the offense and lead Josh Freeman? Dominik said the Bucs will take their time hiring assistants. Dominik emphasized that there’s less time pressure with the free agency period starting later this season.
January 27th, 2012 at 11:01 am
Any chance Clements as the OC?
January 27th, 2012 at 11:05 am
I bet he was Dom’s pick, too.
January 27th, 2012 at 11:09 am
As of now, doesn’t appear to be. He’s the Packers offensive coordinator now. No reason for him to leave. Clements has job security in Green Bay.
January 27th, 2012 at 11:13 am
I hope Dom wasn’t serious about hiring high school coaches as any of our coordinators. With that said I’m fired up about the hire. I just hope Dom gets out of the way for the position coaches.
He seemed to reference Marty a lot. I wonder how close if it all they were to hiring him and I wonder if he would consider becoming a member of the staff.
January 27th, 2012 at 11:19 am
First choice, second choice, doesn’t matter now. He is THE choice. And I think, all things considered, it’s a good choice. Three things to watch that I think will be significant indicators of the probability of success – The OC, the QB coach, and free agency.
January 27th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Nick:
Just heard the Steelers are after him, but not getting anywhere.
If you are a coveted offensive coach and you have your choice of being the offensive coordinator of the Packers, Steelers or Bucs, guess which one is on the bottom of the totem pole?
January 27th, 2012 at 11:24 am
Well after hearing the Steelers wanna go run first, I would think the Bucs would be at least 2nd? And I forgot that Philbin went to Miami so nevermind that he’s staying in GB
January 27th, 2012 at 11:28 am
Macabee Says:
January 27th, 2012 at 11:19 am
“First choice, second choice, doesn’t matter now. He is THE choice. And I think, all things considered, it’s a good choice. Three things to watch that I think will be significant indicators of the probability of success – The OC, the QB coach, and free agency.”
And you know what? What Macabee says sounds about right to me.
Just remember to have a little trust in who Schiano may want. It’s his team and he and Mark Dominik may be choosing men we may not be all that familiar with. I don’t recalling knowing any of Tony Dungy’s staff when they came to Tampa and look how THAT tree turned out!
But will the FO and the Glazers back up our new HC with FA help?
So……wait and see. As for now? Greg Schiano is THE choice and I support it.
January 27th, 2012 at 11:35 am
I don’t buy the ‘we have time’ sentiment. They need to act thoroughly, yet quickly because these new coordinators need time to enhance their systems to the personel and you can’t do that without first going over film. Not to mention you have to have a good idea of players in the draft you want to provide input on.
The Bucs need to be swift.
January 27th, 2012 at 11:45 am
Strangers in the night exchanging glances
Wondering in the night
What were the chances we’d be sharing love
Before the night was through
Something in your eyes was so inviting
Something in your smile was so exciting
Something in my heart told me I must have you
January 27th, 2012 at 11:53 am
I totally agree with bucfanjeff…. It should be sooner than later, you want them to have time to review game tape, talk to Josh, get to know want he feels comfortable doing. The coaches have to get together, talking concepts, draft, free agency, making sure everyone is on the same page. I would hope we have our staff completed by the Super Bowl.
January 27th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Love the site. Love the Bucs! I am extremely happy with the decision to hire someone with a vision and a passion for this team with actual head coaching experience. Clearly he fell in love with something about the Bucs or he wouldn’t have jumped ship with Rutgers.
All I can think about is who will be the OC, QB coach, etc., but truthfully as long as the coaches can support the program and the vision things will be fine. I felt sick to my stomach last year watching the offense so criminally misuse their greatest weapons with Blount, Freeman, Benn and what the hell was the idea about never passing it to 6-6″ Stocker???
All that said. I feel more optimism about this new direction, and I hope Tampa is open to the idea of supporting this team now not if and when they win.
January 27th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Rick Stroud (and Twitter) made mention of the Bucs getting permission from the AZ Cardinals to speak to John McNulty, Schiano old OC from Rutgers…
Not exactly the most scintillating of choices but they put up impressive numbers with Ray Rice & Kenny Britt.
January 27th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
@SensibleBuc – agree. I also think that maybe McNulty has learned more from Wisenhunt as well.
January 27th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I disagree that we need to rush and make our decisions and put in 26 hour days watching film so that we can go scout the senior bowl, the combine etc and get all crazy about the draft and FA.
Schiano’s job at Rutgers mirrors almost exactly the current state of the Bucs job. He has to build HIS program here. And in construction, you dont just rush off to build a foundation so you can put the pretty walls, doors and windows up, just to have your foundation crack and crumble 2 years down the road bc you rushed it.
Take your time. Be meticulous, piss some people off bc you’re being too thorough. Do we really have a system that works that needs analysis to ensure the “right” guys are coming in to compliment all the talent we have here? No I don’t think so. Any good new talent, is an addition to this team, and there is still plenty of time left to evaluate them.
So I hope Dom and Schiano take the time to do it right once, and hire the right guys that they can, and not rush and have to do it over again in a couple years, just bc we were concerned about a stupid senior bowl that all the college scouts in the system can cover anyway.
January 27th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
I agree with Garv, and most other posters. Let’s all get behind our new head coach, after all, he is undefeated!
I just have a good feeling about this guy, the more I learn about him.
I also agree about defense first, and a strong running game.
IMHO, the Giants got lucky to win, and the 49 ers would have been in the super bowl
January 27th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Looks like a possible John McNulty (Cardinals WR coach/Former Rutgers OC) & Butch Davis as DC combo. I’me fine with these choices.
“After reports confirmed that Greg Schiano was being hired to be the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, speculation began as to how he would fill out his staff. One link brought up was the connection to Arizona Cardinals wide receivers coach John McNulty, who was Schiano’s offensive coordinator at Rutgers from 2004 to 2008.
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs have asked permission from the Cardinals to interview McNulty. On the defensive side of the ball, there is speculation that Butch Davis — the former head coach at the University of Miami, University of North Carolina and Cleveland Browns — could function in that role. Schiano served as Davis’ DC at Miami in 1999 and 2000.”
Matthew, Joe appreciates your quotes, but Joe doesn’t quote other sources here without properly attributing. Please don’t do that again. Also, unless something has changed, the Bucs have no permisison to interview this guy and Arizona doesn’t have to grant it.– Joe
January 27th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Let’s hope so Jeff.
I still need to be sold on the Schiano era. My hope is that he brings in strong, well-known VPs so he can 1) garner some modicum of respect from Day 1 and 2) focus on his CEO responsibilities (in-game management, overall team discipline, etc.) He’s definitely got some holes in his resume & skill set but if he can go the Harbaugh route and get a great staff, we can improve rapidly.
If the Glazers are committed they need to steal the best and brightest from other organizations and pay them whatever they want.
January 27th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
@ eric
Thanks i needed that laugh
January 27th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Ah we bounced off Chip Kelly and now were “defensive fundamentalists”, having come off the worst defensive year in our history.
Interesting. This rockstar is a trip.
Sounds like were gonna try and play some Marty/Dungy ball.
I’m game. Better get a pass rush, corners, linebackers, safeties.
Other than that were set.