Bucs fire Jon Gruden and GM Bruce Allen

In the stunner of the off-season, the Bucs have fired head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen.

Co-chairman Joel Glazer said Friday night his family was 'extremely frustrated,' by the Bucs' failure to reach the playoffs four times in the past six years.

Tampa Bay was the first team in 15 years to start 9-3 and fail to reach the playoffs, losing their last four games in a row. That historical collapse also included blowing a 10-point fourth quarter lead to the 4-11 Oakland Raiders in the regular-season finale at Raymond James Stadium.

"We were extremely frustrated,'' Glazer said. "The losses are as hard today as they were 14 years ago and the way the season ended obviously was terribly disappointing. But, you know, it's not just one thing. It's four losses ast the end of the season. It's look at our franchise and see where we are and where we want to go.''

Glazer said Friday night the family waited several weeks to pull the trigger on Gruden and Allen because they didn't want to make an emotional decision after missing the playoffs. The Bucs have not named any successors.

But indications Friday night were that the Glazers planned to name defensive coordinator Raheem Morris head coach and pro personnel director Mark Dominik the general manager.

Glazer indicated they have already settled on a plan going forward but won't prepared to reveal it Friday.

"After a lot of careful consideration -- a lot of thought went into this -- and in our mind there's a plan where we want to head with this whole thing,'' Glazer said. "And we'll keep you up on that as things unfold.'' 

"I think after a lot of careful consideration, letting emotion die down, we just felt that it was time for a change.

Glazer said he met with Gruden and Allen personally to inform him the Bucs had decided to go another direction, one year after signing both to three-year extensions.

"Bruce and Jon are consummate professionals,'' Glazer said. "I want to respect what was discussed between us and them. But we had discussions today and they've done a lot of great things for this franchise. And this is never something that's easy. These are very difficult decisions and very difficult times because you see how hard people work.''

One possibility is promoting Dominik to the GM position with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as head coach. Recently fired Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan would also seem to be a strong possibility.

ESPN quoted a source saying Gruden was 'blindsided,' by his firing Friday. Gruden was not at his north Tampa home or Reddington Beach condo Friday night. Allen came to the door of his Avila home in Tampa but had no comment.

Gruden was 57-55 as the Bucs head coach but failed to win a playoff game after the Super Bowl season, going 45-51 after his debut.   

Last week, Allen said the Glazers were 'unsatisfied,' and that they 'live in a world of championships.'

The list of coaching candidates available include Shanahan, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, former Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren and Dungy, who rertired Monday from the Indianapolis Colts to return to his family in Tampa.

The Bucs also have Morris, 32, their recently-named defensive coordinator who was a candidate for the Denver Broncos head coaching job. If the Glazer family believes Morris is going to eventually be a successful head coach -- following in the footprints of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin -- he would be the speculative favorite.

Glazer indicated Friday that the team planned to continue their structure of separating the GM and coaching duties.

"We've been pretty happy with the setup we've had here,' Glazer said. "We've always been very comfortable with a coach and a general manager. It's one of our fundamental beliefs.''

The Bucs have $46-million under the salary cap, which should be attractive to prospective coaches and general managers.

Players were understandably stunned by the timing of the news of Gruden's dismissal Friday, but not entirely surprised.

"How do you build a championship team with all the inconsistency?' receiver Mike Clayton said.

"You have to do it the right way. I've always been a person who feels like you reap what you sow. You have to treat people fairly.'

When asked what he wished Gruden would've done differently, Clayton said, "It's about showing more confidence in your players. He was kind of a turncoat. He'd tell you one thing and then do something else.''   

Earlier Friday, the Bucs announced the hiring of Joe Barry as linebackers coach.

Gruden won three NFC South titles with the Bucs and became the youngest coach, at age 39, the youngest coach to win the Super Bowl.

The Bucs traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks and $8-million to the Oakland Raiders for Gruden.

But a rift between Gruden and then-general manager Rich McKay developed in 2003 and ended with McKay accepting a similar position with the Atlanta Falcons with a few weeks remaining in the season.

Gruden was responsible for the hiring of Allen, whom he had worked with at Oakland. But Allen's strength was salary cap management, not player personnel, and the talent level may have dipped as a result.

The Glazers obviously felt that Allen and Gruden had enough draft picks and salary cap room to improve the team and a 9-3 start buttressed that belief. But about the time defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin announced he was leaving at the end of the season to join son Lane at the University of Tennessee, the Bucs defense fell apart.

"Our ultimate goal every year is to win a championship,'' Glazer said. "And that's always been our goal and it will remain our goal and we're going to go about things to attain the goals we believe in. And we have core fundamental beliefs that we've had since the day we got here. And we thought it was important for our core fundamental beliefs that we make a change.''

Comments

[Noel (Bahamas)]

Wow. I hope they have someone lined up as most coaches have made their move already.

Maybe Shannahan, Cowher or they may go with Raheem Morris!!

[Turk]

Wow! So the Glazers walk softly but carry a big stick.

[Razzlegator]

Tony Dungy is back in town and out of a job. Coincidence? The Glazer boys, Dim and Wit, won't have to give up millions or draft picks.

[King]

Wow. I guess it wasnt a total suprise.

Rick, what ar some of the front runners for these positions?

[thecandidate]

Thank you Glazers thank you....

There are some good names still out there...

Shannahan
Martz

to name a few...

[Sound Off]

It won't matter unless they FIRST hire a GM who has a history with the DRAFT. It's all about the DRAFT. The Colts, the Giants and the Pats have built their successful franchises with the draft. Gruden will be snapped up very fast. He's a great coach. Allen is the one who isn't competent. A coach has to get the talent. The talent level around here in the past five years and the draft choices have been stinking up the place.

[Greg285]

They should have done this right after the lost to Oakland..Bring on Marty, Shannahan, or Cowher. Morris is way too raw, so they need to keep him as the D-Coordinator..Great move for the Bucs because they were not going anywhere with Allen & Gruden. Heck, the Bucs were all that money under the cap and what did they buy? NOTHING...There is a God after all!

[skp]

terrible decision. i hope the bucs have a vastly superior coach and GM ready, or we are headed for some dark seasons.

[ClearwaterTornado]

Bring Tony Dungy back! It didn't work the first time because Tony is a DE-fense guy and the Bucs already had Kiffin running the show. Now let Tony put the D together like he showed he could do at Indy, add a top notch offensive coordinator and let Tony finish what he started!!!

[Robert]

THE GLAZERS STILL DO CARE AND HAVE NOT FORGOT ABOUT US! Finally, people in Tampa Bay are being held accountable for their actions! We as fans should be happy to know that the Glazers still do care about our team and care about winning! They would not have made this move without a plan in place. I am excited to see what unfolds in the days to come! LETS GO BUCS!

[David Weber]

I don't think Dungy will coach next year. Even though Tampa is a much nicer place to be than Indianapolis, let's be serious here- Dungy likes winning, and the Colts would have been a much better choice from that perspective.

Schottenheimer could be a good stop-gap, unless Spagnoulo (sp?) is a realistic target. It's just odd that they waited so long to do it- most teams fire the coach the day after the season ends.

All in all, I think Gruden had an above-average tenure. He didn't meet the initial expectations, but he did win a Super Bowl, which is better than most coaches. But he couldn't get over the hump again, so I think the time was right for a change (just earlier this month, so the replacement search could have taken place already.

[Braheem Ackmadia]

Didn't they just resign him last season? Gruden got canned Monte Kiffin's Defensive collapse right when the Offense actually had risen to it's highest level in 10 years.

The Glazers (and Bucs Fans as well) got lucky the last time they made such an impetuous decision firing Dungy. Do they think the Bucs will be better next year starting from scratch with a broken down Defense? INCREDIBLE. I never really liked Gruden but there ain't much else out there. He did have winning seasons. Look at Jeff Fisher & before that Bill Cohwer, they had lean years and bounced back! I WONDER WHO THE GLAZERS WILL BRING IN THIS TIME.....I Hope it doesn't cost Two 1st & 2 2nd round Draft Picks!!!!

[Big Pat]

This is a complete travesty. Now you Gruden-haters have your wish granted, what will you complain about? Detroit-level depths is where we are headed now. Cowher sucks by the way, he runs a 3-4 exclusively which does not fit our personnel. The only way to salvage this trainwreck is to land Shanahan. Godspeed, Jon, I'm sure you'll land on your feet.

[TriplePlay]

Gruden is a great coach?

He'll be a good OC for somebody IF they have the right Quarterback. Let's face it the league has changed and the days of HC/OC are over.

The Glazers would not have fired these guys unless they had acquisition targets and NO Tony Dingy will not be involved.

[ignatz]

Who do you think called the shots during the drafts? It was Gruden. Allen was his puppet. Dungy wants time off. Hope we get Shanahan.

[Garick]

Great, I feel like Daniel Snyder and the Washington Redskins. For those of you haters that thought there was no direction to this team, buckle up cause it's about to get 10 times worse! There is no coach and GM ready to just walk through the door. Bill Cowher and Mike Shannan said they are pretty much content to wait until next year to coach. So who the hell is going to come in and clean up the mess?

Even if someone is willing to come in and try and clean up this mess, the bottom line is they still aren't going to win if the Glazers aren't willing spend money and bring is solid players. I think Gruden did the best he could with what he was afforded from a player standpoint. If he didn't perform next year, then I could have supported this decision. But the timing is terrible with so many question marks on this team. We might go 3-13 next year! God help us...

[bobandelman]

Dungy! Dungy! Dungy! Restore some class to the organization!

[ignatz]

You don't seem to have a sense of history with the Bucs, Garick. The Glazers spent a lot of dough. The previous owner spent more on prostitutes than he did on the roster.

[TriplePlay]

Garick - why is this a mess? I think a boatload of people would love this job. The area, the roster - this team isn't exactly in need of a complete overhaul - I think a few key acquisitions and this team is competitive next year. They have the money now.

[laura]

stupidest move i have ever heard of. Who do they think is going to come in here and do any better. One of the other 4 coaches who got fired this year. You people who cried for his head on a plate wait until next year when we barely win a game. And if Dungy comes back here i won't watch another down of Bucs football..Go Gruden you will be missed!!!!

[drspb]

Solid, gutsy decision by Glazers, just like when they fired Dungy. You have to admire the bold move. My guess is the Glazers will go for a proven winner so don't look for an unseasoned inexperienced coach. They like the splash of a big announcement, hence this decision. Look for Cowher with tons of cash and control or Marty-ball or another proven talent, sorry Raheem, Glazers aren't the Rooney's of the NFL. Go Bucs!

[MarkFidrych]

Mike Shanahan!!

[Sound Off]

Good post Garick....at least SOMEONE on here knows the NFL game...

[Sound Off]

FIRST you hire a GREAT GM and let him hire the coach and run the show....

[Valrico Rick]

It didn't get worse in Atlanta, Miami, and Baltimore! I don't understand how you people see the Bucs as successful under Gruden! McKay and Dungy both built winners out of losers. Gruden walks in on a winner and turns them in to losers. Yeah, Gruden was great, what a coach Yee-haw! Just love those late season collapses. Now maybe some good free agent will want to come and play here. And with that folks I will say my final, 'Nuff Said!!!

[Braheem Ackmadia]

Wake-Up! Shannahan is even worse than Gruden. Cohwer is overrated and Tony Dungy retired to pursue his ministry!

THERE AIN'T NOBODY OUT THERE FELLAS!!

Lets just keep promoting Raheem Morris!

Secondary Coach to Defensive Coordinator to HEAD COACH in less than 12 months!!

I'll buy that! Too bad they didn't do this sooner, maybe Rod Marinelli could have come back and whipped the D-Line back into shape. I'm still flabbergasted by this move!

Gruden liable to Land with the J-E-T-S
Jets...jets...JETS now!

[Sue]

C'mon Cowher!

[Leo In Canada]

WOW! I am in shock. The timing here is odd. My take on the Glazers is that they are very shrewd business people. I hope and pray they have a plan for all this. Thank you Jon & Bruce for all your contributions. Good luck in your future endeavors. Is that Bill Parcells in the bosses office? Who is that coach with him?

[Matt]

I SMELL TUNA!!!!

[Garick]

TriplePlay, did you not see the last 4 games of the season? I think honestly Gruden was going to get fired anyway next year because there are so many holes in this ship. If you can't see that, your heads in the sand.

For starters, the defense. Our best players are old, the young players haven't proven they can do the job yet, and the only pass rush we saw was Jeff Garcia running for his life. Oh and Monte the genius guru is gone!

Offense, still no QB in place. Decent O-line, but still not good enough consistency to protect the QB or produce a better than average rushing attack.

Special teams coverage was very problematic during the last few games.

Oh that's right, we have Matt Bryant. Yeah your right, who wouldn't want this job? Seriously, until the Glazers start spending money again (yes I know they have in the past, but certainly not the last 3 seasons) and the Bucs draft better...then we are in a world of hurt.

[Willycp]

That happens when you go 60 - 57 overall. Gruden never got that offense on track, also check this years draft, we missed out on a lot of great impact players! I hope we get a coach like Mike Shanahan! i bet he will get the offense rolling!

[ignatz]

Matt..Why would you bring your wife into the discussion????

[bobbyd]

I bet we end up with Eric Mangini.

[Phil - Illinois]

Isn't SPURRIER about ready to move on from South Carolina?!? BANDIT BALL LIVES!!

[Phil - Illinois]

bobbyd I'll take that bet...Mangini was hired by Cleveland last week...

[Sir Pritam the Great of England]

Um, was this the best timing? How many half-decent coaches/general managers are out there looking for a job?

I can't believe I found this out while watching ESPN

[Larry]

I have all the faith in the Glazers......We all should. I'm not a Bucs fan, yet I do follow them since they are my home team. The glazer's have always put a good product on the field. They have proven that since they became owners.
They hired Dungy, and Dungy got the bucs out of the basement then they hired Gruden who won a Super Bowl. The change is good for all involved. The Glazers have made very good moves. Who ever they hire will do a good job, and keep the Bucs in contention. It wouldn't surprise me if Dungy came back. Like I said, the Glazers will hire a coach who will get the Buc's back to playoff's.

[mockdraught]

After that debacle of a search in 2001, they'd better have someone already signed and ready to go.

Gruden will go to the Jets, who've been waiting for him to become available. Maybe they'll just assume his Bucs contract.

Allen can join brother George Jr. in the macaca club.

Would Parcells actually leave the Dolphins and come here?
(yo: Browns already hired Mangini)

[Brad Igar]

As I have been saying since the team folded at the end of the season, Fire Gruden and make Morris our head coach. For those of you saying he's too green, people were saying the same thing about Tomlin in Pittsburgh.

[Larry]

Eric Mangini is hired already!!!!!

[Ryan]

Bruce and Chucky - you guys pretty much doomed yourself to the public the day you canned Lynch. It's just been a matter of time for this. Try Monster.com.

[Chris Kenney]

Although I don't know that much about him, the recent profile on Charlie Strong of Florida in The Times makes him rather enticing. And I'm not even a Gators fan.

[DR]

This is by no means in disrespect, but in honor of the greatest American in U.S. history, in my opinion-
Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, the Bucs are free at last!!!
This is the greatest move in Bucs history. With Allen/Gruden's personnel issues and $40M+ cap room expected, the Bucs can now hire a player's coach like a Shanahan or even a Cowher or start anew with Rex Ryan or Spags. This is the best way to move forward with fresh minds and cap room. Gruden did not live up to the four draft picks they gave up for him; he did not go to the playoffs in consecutive years- something they expected at the price of four draft picks.
It will be interesting to know what exactly went down and whether the current free agents on the team helped cause this. Bryant was obviously disgusted with Gruden's offense and maybe he wasn't going to sign with Gruden still around. Gruden did not rebuild this team to where they need to be to be a consistent winner. They haven't been a contender since 2002. To make it short, Gruden has been a failure and finally the Glazers woke up and smelled the coffee.
Thank you Glazers for a late Christmas gift! It is time to kick back a few brews and celebrate!

[GrudenHater]

I am going to change my name from GrudenHater to GlazersRGr8

[Larry]

I have inside sources who say Parcells was in Tampa today. Some say for the super bowl, but a little early for that. The Glazer's would fire Gruden only if they had a Parcells or Cohwer in my opinion....

[KeyWestLivin]

Jon Gruden is a good coach. He gave Bucs fans a Super bowl win. No other has done so. With that said, Marty Schottenheimer would make a great coach. The man knows how to build and coach a great team. It took Dungy several years with one team to win the big one. Marty would only need half that!

[DR]

And one last thing- WHERE ARE MY BOYS AT?!?!
I hate to say but I told you so again! I would like to thank Vincent for his support and Valrico Rick for never giving up the faith and taking hits from a bunch of...well, I won't stoop to that level. We are better than that!
The Bucs were never a playoff team this year and they needed to FIRE these clowns! Can i get a F'N HELL YEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

[Crilly]

Good move. For someone who's suppose to be an offensive genius, Gruden's was horribly one dimensional. I'd like to see a coach who knows how to play smash-mouth football, offense and defense and not have to rely on receivers that can't catch.

[DR]

Shanahan may be in the mix with the GM and Coaching spot available.
I heard a couple of High Schools are looking for coaches in the area. Maybe Gruden can coach and Allen take the AD spot and stay in town. that would be great.

[Razzlegator]

F'N HELL YEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!