Bucs cut Franklin loose
The Bucs parted ways with an assistant coach for the second time in as many days when defensive line coach Jethro Franklin was informed he would not be retained for the 2007 season.
Franklin, reached Tuesday in Los Angeles where his wife and children still reside, said he received a call from general manager Bruce Allen earlier today. Allen told him the organization had decided to go in another direction, though Allen did not offer specifics on why the decision was reached. However, it's likely the dramatic dropoff in a consistent pass rush prompted the move. The Bucs posted 25 sacks in 2006, their fewest since 1995.
On Monday, the Bucs dismissed defensive backs coach Greg Burns, replacing him with former assistant Raheem Morris, who had been serving as defensive coordinator at Kansas State.
There was no immediate word on Franklin's replacement.
Franklin came to the Bucs just last year after holding the same position at Southern Cal. He originally signed a two-year contract that was set to expire after the 2007 season.
(Franklin photo by James Borchuck of the St. Petersburg Times. Click to enlarge.)
Bucs Beat is the online destination for Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans interested in the latest news about the team. St. Petersburg Times reporters Rick Stroud, Stephen Holder and Joe Smith will provide regular updates. Readers can comment on players, coaches, the front office - all of it.
Maybe we can hire some guys away from the Vikings staff?
Posted by: | January 09, 2007 at 10:37 PM
I think that the GM and the Head Coach is responsible to bring in the best possible coahes here to give our guys a chance to be the best they can be. There are some good qualied veterans coaches out there, and I think Tampa Bay is back on the correct path to correcting the problems of the past.
Posted by: George L Hicks | January 11, 2007 at 06:52 PM
Maybe they could fire Bill Muir for lack of a consistant O line.
Posted by: BadBuc.net | January 16, 2007 at 06:26 PM