Buccaneers start offensive coordinator search

The Buccaneers confirmed the completion of a quadfecta of interviews for his or her vacant offensive coordinator place.

The method started in earnest Saturday, when Tampa confirmed digital conferences with Minnesota assistant quarterbacks coach and “chief of special projects” Grant Udinski, in addition to Los Angeles Chargers cross recreation coordinator Marcus Brady.

Monday got here two extra confirmed interviews with a pair of Rams teaching employees members – cross recreation specialist Nate Scheelhaase and tight ends coach / cross recreation coordinator Nick Caley.

Whereas extra candidates are positive to emerge, together with in-house choices, this search already bears resemblance to the final two years that ended with main success. Common supervisor Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles have been locked in on sharp younger minds from massively profitable techniques and training bushes.

Vikings assistant coach Grant Udinski

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos

Udinski, who additionally interviewed with the Seattle Seahawks earlier than they introduced in Klint Kubiak, is younger, bolded and underlined for emphasis – 28 years previous to be exact. It’s extremely uncommon to see anybody beneath 30 get a place like this one, even because the Bears employed same-aged Declan Doyle to be their OC (although he received’t be calling performs). Udinski is reportedly held in excessive regard as one in all Kevin O’Connell’s high lieutenants during the last 3 years.

Brady has been an offensive coordinator earlier than throughout an ill-fated stretch with Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts, the place he principally served because the scapegoat for Reich’s shortcomings earlier than the latter went down with the ship himself. He’s consulted with the Eagles since then earlier than moving into the cross coordinator position for the Chargers. Once more, not a lot in the way in which of sterling outcomes, nevertheless it’s extensively acknowledged how talent-strapped L.A. was in 2024.

Whereas these two might need outdoors shot, it’s clear the true contenders received their swings on Monday.

Just like the departed Liam Coen, Scheelhaase and Caley have some familiarity with the overall Sean McVay-ian scheme that has labored effectively for Tampa over the prior two years. Scheelhaase, who does have playcalling expertise with Iowa State, may not be as intimately acquainted being only a one-year understudy, however the 34-year-old serves an essential position in McVay’s circle that has yielded a number of confirmed coordinators prior to now.

Caley, 42, is arguably the most well liked identify of the cycle. His identify has additionally been tied to the New York Jets and the Houston Texans, although one may definitely argue the Bucs have a extra interesting state of affairs than both of these two spots. Caley coached with the New England Patriots beneath Josh McDaniels for six years earlier than shifting onto the Rams in 2023 as tight ends coach. He undertake the passing coordinator position this previous yr and helped hold that unit afloat via a 1-4 begin with a number of large accidents to the receivers and offensive line.

Aforementioned in-house candidates will definitely embrace present cross recreation coordinator Josh Grizzard, 34, and quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, 37. Their interviews have but to be confirmed.