|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Bucs fire offensive coordinator Steckel
Updated: Tuesday January 09, 2001 8:17 PM
By Don Banks, Sports Illustrated Despite overseeing an offense that set a team record with 388 points scored, first-year offensive coordinator Les Steckel has been fired by Tampa Bay. "This is a hard part of the business, because it involves someone's livelihood and family," Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy said in a prepared statement. "Les did a good job for us by evidence that we set four club records on offense, and our red-zone efficiency was one of the best in the NFL this season. "But in looking at what we want to accomplish for this team in the future, we feel this move will benefit us in the long term." Dungy did not name a successor, but said the search would begin immediately for the team's third offensive coordinator in three seasons. A league source said Tuesday that former Washington Redskins head coach Norv Turner was Dungy's top choice to lead the Bucs' offense. Dungy called Turner on Monday night to offer the job, but Turner told Dungy that he already had made a commitment to San Diego. On Tuesday, the Chargers named Turner their offensive coordinator. Among the names expected to surface for the Bucs' opening is Joe Pendry, offensive coordinator for former Buffalo Bills head coach Wade Phillips, who was fired Monday. However, Dungy's timetable for naming a new offensive coordinator could be lengthy. He will take his time and the search likely will extend past next week's Senior Bowl, where NFL staffs convene to scout for April's NFL Draft. Dungy also said he would consider elevating someone on his current staff to offensive coordinator.
Unlike last season, when Bucs general manager Rich McKay ordered Dungy to fire Mike Shula, Tuesday's move was said to be Dungy's decision alone. While McKay was consulted, a team source said McKay was surprised by the move. Tampa Bay hired Steckel in February to replace Shula, who served four seasons as the Bucs offensive coordinator. Steckel served as offensive coordinator for the 1999 AFC champion Tennessee Titans, but came under criticism this season in Tampa. The Bucs were considered one of the NFC's Super Bowl favorites, but fell to 3-4 in October and had to win seven out of their final nine games in order to make the playoffs as a wild card. Tampa Bay lost in the first round of the postseason to Philadelphia, 21-3. According to a Bucs team source, Steckel was never perceived as the right fit in Tampa. Many Bucs players were believed to be in favor of his departure, a factor that most likely played into Dungy's decision. At midseason, Steckel was the subject of a blistering attack from Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warrren Sapp, who voiced his opposition to Steckel's offensive philosophy, likening it to a "high school" offense. There were rumors last week within the league that Dungy may make changes to his offensive staff, but when team officials were asked about that possibility they said Dungy was believed to be satisfied with his staff's performance this season. Despite making the playoffs three of the last four years, Tampa Bay has had continued offensive problems. That trend continued this season despite the addition of three former Pro Bowl players: wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, center Jeff Christy and guard Randall McDaniel. Steckel, a 19-year NFL coaching veteran, broke into the league in 1978 as tight ends/wide receivers coach with the San Francisco 49ers. From 1979-83 he was wide receivers/special teams coach with Minnesota before being named head coach for the '84 season. Steckel was 3-13 in his only season at the Vikings' helm. He was a member of the New England Patriots staff from 1985-88. After spending four years out of the NFL, Steckel returned to the league in '93 as tight ends coach of the Denver Broncos. In '95, he joined the Houston Oilers, working his way up to offensive coordinator in '97.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
