Bucs DBs coach on Oakland's radar?

What is it with the Raiders and Bucs?

Just days after reports out of Northern California raised the possibility of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin setting his sights on hiring his father -- Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin -- another Tampa Bay coach is being speculated about today.

The Contra-Costa Times is reporting that, while the Raiders attempt to determine whether to retain coordinator Rob Ryan, they have identified Bucs secondary coach Raheem Morris as a "prospective replacement." The report (click here) cites sources in the Raiders front office.

Here's the deal: Morris is believed to be under contract, having just joined the Bucs before this season. If that's the case, Oakland can forget it. The Bucs have an airtight policy of not allowing assistant coaches out of their contracts, even for promotions. They did it with former linebackers coach Joe Barry, who wanted to join his father-in-law, Rod Marinelli, as the defensive coordinator in Detroit. He had to wait until his contract expired before taking the post this season.

Morris is on the same fast track as Mike Tomlin, the Steelers coach who began his pro coaching career as Tampa Bay's secondary coach. But if he's under contract, he'll likely have to wait a while before climbing the ladder to his next post.

UPDATE (1:10 p.m.): I had a quick chat with Morris after practice and he confirmed what we thought: he has a two-year contract. What that means is he isn't going anywhere.

Comments

[Duane]

Going to Oakland is like going into a black hole. Possibly look for Morris to move up as defensive co-ordinator of the Bucs. I love Monte but he is getting a little long in the tooth and his inability to change his defense against Indy was one of the main contributing causes of why we got blown out in that game.

[John P]

I was thinking the same thing, Duane. Monte's not going to keep going forever - and it would be a fantastic job to eventually catapult Morris to a head coaching position.

screw that monte built this defense an has been the reason for our success the past 12 years an i would never give on kiffin until kiffin is ready to go himself ..( hint the only member to stay from dungy theres a reason ) .. an let kiffin pick his heir !

[garret]

screw that monte built this defense an has been the reason for our success the past 12 years an i would never give on kiffin until kiffin is ready to go himself ..( hint the only member to stay from dungy theres a reason ) .. an let kiffin pick his heir ! tampa two dip shi$$