Bucs hire Jagodzinski as O.C.

The Bucs have hired former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski as their offensive coordinator.

Jagodzinski, 45, was fired by Boston College for interviewing for the New York Jets head coaching job. He led the Eagles a 21-7 record and two Atlantic Coast Conference title games but lost both to Virginia Tech.

The BC job was Jagodzinski's first as a head coach, but he spent 14 years as a college assistant and eight years in the NFL.

Jagodzinski was credited with the development of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, the NFL's AP Rookie of the Year. He also was Brett Favre's offensive coordinator in Green Bay when the Packers had a 1,000-yard rusher in Ahman Green and a 1,000-yard receiver in Donald Driver.

So the Bucs get an experienced play-caller who has worked with young quarterbacks and aging veterans and enjoyed great success with both. He also has head coaching experience, albeit at the collegiate level.

Jagodzinski also has some familiarity with Bucs running back Warrick Dunn. He was the Falcons' offensive line coach working under consultant Alex Gibbs in 2005 when they led the NFL in rushing and Dunn rushed for a career-high 1,416 yards on his way to the Pro Bowl.

Those attributes will be a big bonus for new Bucs coach Raheem Morris, 32, the youngest head coach in the NFL.

The Bucs also officially announced the hiring of Pete Mangurian as their offensive line coach.

 

Comments

[TriplePlay]

This is impressive. The Bucs are hiring experts in all critical coaching areas.

Now can't wait to see what FA's we buy.

[USArmyRob]

For all the Naysayers...its hard to argue with this coaching staff.

Morris, Bates and Jagz..pretty formidable if you look at it. Morris has a good core around him now. Im interested too see how they work FA and the Draft. We need Haynesworth!! An make a play for Cassel!

[OAR]

Well we'll see. He was 9-5 with Boston College last year as head coach. The Packers went 8-8 that year when he was off coord and were #22 in pts.(so yeah 1,000yds is nice but wins and playoffs according to the fans on here is what it takes?)

[ringwarmonger]

I agree this is more impressive of a hire than what was mentioned as the 3 finalist. I am anxious to see what wrinkles this will mean for the offense.

Hey Rob, no offense to you, but what is everyone's love affair with Matt Cassel? Remember Randy Moss has a way of making quarterbacks look pretty good. I would probably prefer Derek Anderson instead.

But what do I know.

[Mike]

A great addition. He will be a breath of fresh air after watching Gruden and his inept play calling. Good to have Jeff on board!

[OAR]

USArmyRob, Well this is a quote from Morris so who knows if they'll get that dt we need: "We may go sign a top-notch rusher and maybe not do that," Morris said. "We may not sign a top-notch rusher and have to find ways to create pressure. There's plenty of time to figure all that out in the offseason. I'm going to put the people in place and let them do their job."
One thing for sure it sounds like his off is vertical, so we will need a different qb(Garcia hasn't the arm for that style doesn't really have the arm for any style anymore).
One thing I don't think this is going to be the same team for sure, good or bad. Good I hope.

[Nick]

OAR, you are the most negative person ever on any post. Why is that? This is a great hire. We practically have three Head Coaches.

[BucFandango]

I'll trade you 1 Jagz, 1 Bates & 1 Morris for 1 Chucky. Not really. Good luck to the Staff. Let's get Antonio Bryant under contract now. Free Agency & Draft will pretty much tell the 09' story. If Derrick Brooks stays Healthy, we need to keep him. Let's get it on! Go Bucs!

[Steven]

Didn't see this coming. Excellent move (potentially). Bombs away football illiterate pundits...

[OAR]

Not a fan a zone(borderline dirty, imho) blocking, but hey I guess change does mean change.

[BucFandango]

OAR, that quote posted here is a little inaccurate according the way it was written on pewterreport.com. When I read the entire interview and that particular question & answer, it cast a different shadow and made Morris sound much beeter with his answer IMHO.

[Steven]

I know he's the OC but come draft time it will be interesting, given the need, to see if BJ Raji is a player the team will seriously consider. Clearly Jago has some inside info on this guy.

[USArmyRob]

I do not have any love affair for Cassel and if we could get D. Anderson Id take him as well. Both are better options then Garcia in my own opinion. Garcia is/was a warrior but he is old and we have no future with him. Also OAR why does Morris have to give us answers?? He owes us nothing but Win and Losses. OAR have you ever written a positive comment your always pesimistic.

[Garick]

I think this a pretty good hire. As ArmyRob mentioned, I think Morris has a pretty solid staff in place. Ringwarmonger- did you not see Cassel play this year? Fortunately, I did get the opportunity to see a lot games he was in. The guy is extremely athletic, strong arm, can run with ball, and excellent at surveying the field. Actually Randy Moss didn't get the ball nearly as much as he did with Brady he was very good at going to different receivers.

I was a skeptic myself until I saw him play in those games. It was very impressive how much better he got as the season went on. I think this guy is the real deal!

[Steven]

Derek Anderson would be a logical choice if going to a more vertical passing game. Not too many decent experienced QB's available this year.

[Steven]

Two words regarding Cassell: Matt Schaub.

[Nick]

Derek Anderson / Luke McCown. Any real difference? Let Luke compete.

[BucFandango]

I wasn't impressed with Raji at the Senior Bowl. He looked mediocre. Both Offensive lines looked good in that game and this is a great year to pick up a Left Tackle & a new Right Tackle if Trueblood doesn't wake up. This Coching change has caused a pardigm shift. All the Haters are now defenders and the old defenders are on the offensive. Positive & Negative is in the eye of the beholder.

[USArmyRob]

Matt Schaub plays behind a terrible offensive line. An he was injured this year. 3rd he played a UofVa and not USC. 4th he didnt sit behind Tom Brady he sat behind Mike Vick. Not much a of a chance at learning the QB position behind a physical freak like Vick.

[Fuber]

The Bucs should continue to be a hard nose defensive team. With that in mind, a high flying offense would be horrible. Short passes, run and ball control. The Bucs have the RB's and o-line to pull it off.

[Garick]

I agree Nick, not much difference between McCown and Anderson. If we were going to go that route, you might as well bring McCown back since he's familiar with the team. I'm sticking by my Cassel comments, if we don't get him...we'll we wish we had by the end of next season.

[Sir Pritam the Great of England]

First: Trueblood isn't going anywhere anytime soon

Second: has everyone forgotten that Josh Johnson, our supposed quarterback of the future, is still UNDER CONTRACT. This dude still has EXCEPTIONAL potential. Personally, I really wanna see what this guy can do after a year of red-shirting, albeit in just the preseason.

Does anyone even know what kind of offense this Jagodzinski guy even runs?

[colt99]

Bates comes from Denver where their "D" was bad.. We get a guy who went back on his WORD at Boston College... not good hires but its the Bucs so who Cares

[OAR]

USArmyRob, again you haven't been on here in the past, so yes my comments seem pesimistic. See Bucfandango's comment above; negative/positive in eye of the beholder. Also at $2000+/year in tickets, I can be a little pest-imistic, lord knows I put up with that last year and the year before, so now it is my turn.
I hope they do great, but it sounds like some serious changes on the team and its players. Good luck and Go Bucs.

[Tony]

I like this pick up, and I like your thinking with Derek Alexander. Now let's see how the rubber hits the road.

[ringwarmonger]

Rob, just so you know I didn't mean just you. Everywhere you turn people are talking like Cassel is the second coming of Tom Brady.

Garick, remember Derek Anderson has a great year in 2007. Not as good in 2008. Perhaps Cassel will be different who knows. I'm not sold yet and wouldn't pay him the amount of money he'll probably get.

[Garick]

Ringwarmonger- I know what your saying about sometimes guys coming in the league and being a one-hit-wonder. I watched Anderson play too, he has great arm strength but in my opinion doesn't see the field the way Cassel does nor can he rush with the ball and avoid the sacks the way Cassel did.

Would Cassel be as good with us as he was with the Pats? Probably not, at least not until we get more talent in here. But I do think he could put up the best QB numbers we've seen around here in a while. If we don't sign Cassel this year, what happens if he goes to another team and puts up similar numbers?

I'll tell you what happens, you get thrown into the elite class of QB's in the league. Nobody trades the Tom Bradys, Peyton Mannings, Philip Rivers, ect...of the league. You have to get these guys while you can!

[Nick]

OAR is like the guy on Major League II, you know the "turn this place into a parking lot" guy.

[ringwarmonger]

"Sources tell PewterReport.com that Jagodzinski will incorporate a zone-blocking run game in Tampa Bay like the kind he deployed at Boston College and similar to the famous zone-blocking run schemes that former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan ran in Denver for over a decade."

[Steven]

It's easy to be successful at QB on an otherwise solid team coached by a HOF coach (thogh he's a worm) throwing to a HOF receiver. I'm not taking anytning away from Cassell but I see him as a more mobile version of Brad Johnson. Let's aim a bit higher than that.

[BucFandango]

I've heard Alex Smith's (SF49'r) name mentioned in passing. He has been a bust so far, but the right coach Olson could get him to blossom. Sir Pritam, I too like Josh Johnson. I have watched a good deal of his college tape. The young man has skills. He can fire the ball too, and is agile. He needs a good look from Mgmnt. Now is the time to ditch Garcia & Griese. If McCown wants to stay, I'd give him a look too, but he isn't a future Superbowl QB. As much as I miss Chucky, I am excited now that the coaches are set. I will be happy when A. Bryant is under contract. We also need a new Kicker & Gano from FSU could pay big dividends.

[BucNasty]

"say HELLO to the zone blocking scheme"

That's what I've been thinking ever since I heard we were gonna hire ATL's line coach from the DVD era. I don't know anything about Jagz, but from what I understand BC liked to throw deep.

As for Bates, he had a terrific reputation going into Denver. I wouldn't lay too much of the blame at his feet for not turning their D around in one year.

[Yoshi]

I havent commented on much during these recent events because i wanted to see who we hired for the coaching staff but i gotta say im fairly impressed. All around i think this new coaching staff is an upgrade. I think we will get the players we want in free agency like haynesworth or peppers. Im pretty excited for what is to come. I agree with the post above that says we need to get a new RT. Im sorry but ive seen trueblood just get bullrushed back into the QB too many times this year. I think its time to move on or give the kid from rutgers a chance. I know Trueblood is a mean player but he gets beat by any decent DE. If you look back Penn did a good job at stoping the likes of John Abraham and Julius Peppers but whenever they switched to the other side there was a sack. Anyway like i said before i think this could finally be the year that we get the players the fans want. Oh and i also think that we should give Josh Johnson a chance to show hat hes got we could have a pretty good QB right at home.

[Steven]

Yoshi, I agree that RT is a liability. Trueblood's worth 1-2 penalties a game, which is fine if you're getting bang for your buck but he also gives up big sacks and is man handled far too much for a 6'7" 330+ lb RT. I think Zuttah would be an upgrade from day 1. From the college ranks Duke Robinson is someone to look at. He can play G or T.

[OAR]

Nick, how about a mall to go with that parking lot. Hey there was one there before, what do you know.(new one buc place for those who don't live here)
Seriously at least you could have said Major League(1), way better movie, hilairous actually.

[OAR]

Just so you guys know my invoice for my new season tickets came in and I will be purchasing them(w/parking puts it right around $2600, for me and the better half). I am a Bucs fan and have been since the day I was hatched from Tampa. I think it's funny how, I'm the hater now, when this is the kinda crap I heard for the last couple of years. Go Bucs

[noosa]

the way the bucs draft will tell the story on what type of D they will run, if the move up and draft Raji they will run 4-3 if they stay where they are and draft the MLB from USC they will run a 3-4/4-3 hybrid.
My guess is they draft a new QB in the 1st rd, usually that's what you do when you get a new HC and coaching staff(see Baltimore and Atlanta), and a new WR in the 2nd(hopefully not like they did last year), and a TE in the 3rd rd.
I hope the bucs go out and get BOTH Peppers and Haynesworth in FA nobody will be able to stop that d-line.
Good solid hires by the bucs for coaching positions this year.

[WS]

colt99- YOUR A MORON

[Feesh]

Club seats OAR?

[D Block]

Good Hire, Jag runs a pretty balanced offense for the most part. He mixes in run and pass as good as anyone else if not better then most. The hell with ball control this OC attacks the defense short and deep. Bates was not the DC at Denver please do your research that is why he left. Who cares about him leaving BC, the man went on an interview and got fired. That shows you how unstable his job was at BC and he knew it. Why should anyone honor a contract when your employer can fire you at any time for any reason? GREAT HIRE FOR THE BUCCANEERS!!!! LETS GO!!!!!

[OAR]

Feesh, yes sir. Wish the pre-season were a little less than regular season, but hey what can you do.

[e]

I like the coordinator moves... Solid experience. It's kind of strange seeing the Bucs brass making logical moves. That's something I could get used to. Now, let's go find our QB of the future... I see Anderson, Cassel, (would be a signficant draft pick/cash hit) Josh Johnson (I'm not a believer here), McCown (has not proven himself in 4 years), Simms (I wouldn't mind seeing him back under the new system) and my vote Brian Brohm (He'll be sitting in Green Bay for a long time.. we could get him for a second or third round pick and not a lot of cap hit). At least the franchise FEELS like it's trying to do the right thing.. not like under the Gruallen adminstration.
e

[Feesh]

I've had seats for 13 years now - only sat in club once and loved it.

I'm looking into buying a parking pass this year for the first time. My seats were just relocated for the first time in nine years.

[D Block]

I like all of the hires this seems to be a more then formidable staff. I didn't like the timing of Gruden's firing but after looking at the staff they managed to assemble im happy! I don't think the bucs will draft Raji he will be gone, QB i think not. Raji is nice and i have been his number one fan but he won't be there. QB the bucs won't draft one this yr, maybe next yr. Next years class is better period, this is the yr we have a chance to get a playmaking WR in the first rd. I think they pull the trigger on WR, DT, or RB. I hope caddy and EG are on the way back but reality is reality. If they are not healthy the bucs could take a back between 1-3 rounds.

[Greg285]

Great Hire! Finally, we have someone who knows something about playing calling unlike Gruden! Great move! Now, we need a young QB for the future

[D Block]

That is just my opinion, i think they go either Perria Jerry from Ole Miss DT, Percy Harvin WR, or McCoy Pitt RB in the first rd. I think Maclin will be gone as well as Raji unfortunately. But you can always count on a few teams to blow it in the draft Skinz, Bengals, Denver? There are a couple others who may blow it, helping the bucs out.

[OAR]

Feesh, going on ten years this year. We like them, but the suite(should be sweet) seats are where it's at. Cousin took me to the Tribune's one time, wow awesome, 45yd line food and drink free and your own restroom.

[go long]

So OAR - "lord knows I put up with that last year and the year before" OK - exactly how are you going to judge "success" next season? You had to put up with Winning the division in 07 (your words). So what now when you don't see a division title for the next few (at least) years? Can't wait to see all of your uninformed optimism turn after a poor 09. Or are you setting the bar low for next year? - guess then you will just have to "put up with it"

[Trey]

LOVE it and none of the local press saw it coming (big shock!), hope it is a 3 year or longer deal as he will need some time before looking for head coach gig.

[Vincent]

Okay, I'm completely on board with this hire! He will excel in Play calling, and will inspire his players to greater heights because he's a man of his convictions! I like the fact that he comes from a program that doesn't have the greatest athletes, in Boston college's program, and he was dynamite despite the limited talent. His experience in developing Matt Ryan is reason enough to hire him, and if that wasn't enough, he's also versed in the Broncos Offensive line blocking scheme. That certainly bodes well for the young Offensive line of the Bucs, as well as for any young Quarterback on the Roster(hinting at a first round selection of QB in this years draft).

Here's the part that got me so excited. He has experience in turning around an offense. When he got to BC, they were a horizontal offense, and he turned them into a high flying Vertical attack! Now I'm still and always will be a proponent of "balance" on offense, but I'm thrilled that this guy has experience in changing the talent that was akin to the horizontal offense, and getting them to attack down field.

Plus this man is a man of principle and integrity. He was willing to accept getting fired from BC just to stand behind his belief's in interviewing for a job with the Jets. While some might be critical of this, I find it to be a very honest and REAL decision. I do understand the criticism, and would not disrespect those who don't agree with his choice. Yet what I do find as integrity, is that he didn't leave BC for a job offer. He didn't know what was going to happen. He was fired because he interviewed for the position with the Jets. He knew the consequences and still went through with it, which means he stands behind his convictions and doesn't acquiesce his way through life. That kind of honest and conviction is sure to translate into "true belief" from his players, that he "believes in what he preaches".