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Buccaneers' coach search turns to Lewis, Turner

Under Marvin Lewis, Baltimore has finished with the league's second-ranked defense for three consecutive years. Andy Lyons/Allsport

By Don Banks, Sports Illustrated

Done in by the Bill Parcells flip-flop 12 days ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coaching search is showing signs of finally coming to life again. According to an NFL source, Bucs general manager Rich McKay will interview Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis on Tuesday, somewhere in the Baltimore area.

It is also believed that McKay will interview San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Norv Turner on Wednesday. Where that interview will take place is unknown, but it is likely to be in Florida, where Turner also is in line for the vacant Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator position.

McKay has said virtually nothing about his team's coaching search since the day after Parcells spurned a contract offer in favor of remaining retired. McKay's only pronouncements have been that he intends to take his time in hiring a head coach, and likely would not make a decision until after the Super Bowl. McKay intends to be in New Orleans, this year's Super Bowl city, on Thursday.

For Lewis, Tuesday's interview represents his second head coaching opportunity in about a week. He met with Carolina Panthers officials last week, just a few days before the Panthers hired John Fox, the former New York Giants defensive coordinator, as their head coach.

With Marty Schottenheimer expected to be announced as the Chargers head coach, Tampa Bay is the only remaining opening of the six NFL teams that had head coaching vacancies this offseason.

Turner has informed the Chargers that he will not stay on and serve on Schottenheimer’s staff -- an out that he had in his contract -- in order to pursue both the Tampa Bay head coaching job and Miami's coordinator position. Turner's name surfaced early in the Tampa Bay situation, and his candidacy has some internal support within the organization.

Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, a former Bucs assistant under head coach Sam Wyche in the mid-1990s, also may be interviewed for the Tampa Bay job. Mularkey received widespread praise for his work as the Steelers' first-year offensive coordinator this season.

With McKay uncertain if the Bucs have any shot at hiring Raiders head coach Jon Gruden away from Oakland -- Gruden still has a year remaining on his contract -- sources indicate that McKay's Plan B is to identify and hire the most promising, young head coaching prospect. Even if that candidate has not been the subject of much head-coaching speculation.

However you categorize Lewis, he has been the NFL's most high-profile defensive coordinator in the past two years, and the Bucs' interview is the third time in 12 months that he has been considered for a head coaching job. Buffalo interviewed him last January, just a day after the Ravens' victory in Super Bowl XXXV.

Under Lewis, Baltimore has finished with the league's second-ranked defense for three consecutive years. His 2000 unit broke the NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season, with 165.

 

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