Word surfaced earlier this week that Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was considered a candidate for Tampa Bay's vacant head coaching position. Though we're still waiting on the Jeff Fisher to make a decision that may land Zimmer in Miami if Fisher chooses St. Louis, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have received permission to interview Zimmer, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
Wade Phillips, one of the early candidates for the job recently told Tampa Bay that he "was pulling out of the process." According to SB Nation's own Bucs Nation, Zimmer is "just the latest name in a long list of coaches the Bucs have interviewed", though Zimmer is the second without any head coaching experience.
If Zimmer returns to Cincinnati to coordinate the Bengals defense, it will be his fifth season with the team as he enters the final year under contract. If he doesn't return then the early candidates to replace him range from defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle to former Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio.
According to NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora, Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will also speak with the Buccaneers.
0 recs | 22 comments
Young team that lacked motivation
Might be a good spot for Zimmer. He’s used to an owner who doesn’t want to spend money.
Jcon77 - January 13, 2012 via iPhone app
I really like Zimmer
and think he is a heck of a coach. I definitely will wish him the best of luck as a HC, as long as it is not an AFC North team. Cincy’s D has made some tremendous strides under his tutelage.
That being said, I think the team can weather his loss and the impact if he moves on won’t be as tremendous as what it appears the consensus thinks.
Cedric Benson Boat Party - January 13, 2012
Not to disrespect Zim
who I think will be a helluva a HC, but these stories don’t sound credible, instead it sounds like Zimmer’s agent doing the talking. Teams hire coaches without alot of leaks and back and forth in the media. Boom, its done and announced.
Besides whats the story with Fisher? If it takes this long for him to impersonate Hamlet, how long will it take him to hire a staff? Again I think there is less interest in Fisher than the media is suggesting.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
Maybe we should go ahead and start interviewing DC's
It might get us ahead of other teams trying to fill their staff and it might get Zim to stay put for another year. Then again it could backfire in our faces.
Bigcatdaddy - January 13, 2012 via Android app
Jack Del Rio come on down!
sofakingood - January 13, 2012
I think Zimmer is a good coach
But I also think he’s probably gone as far as he can with this group.
sgiridharan1982 - January 13, 2012
Sorry I meant to say
“great” coach
sgiridharan1982 - January 13, 2012
Zimm's given us top ten Defenses consistently
lets not forget the Bresnehan days….I hope we dont lose Zimm
ticalcaldwell - January 13, 2012
True
But his “nobody” wanted you tactics are seeing the end of its days. At one time Brat was a coordinator that fielded a top 10 offense. Then the regression took place. I’m afraid that’s going to happen.
sgiridharan1982 - January 13, 2012
Because his players love him.......
My fear is that our defensive free agents will follow him to his new team.
tabby - January 13, 2012
+1 he will get a few of them to go with him where ever that may be
AMAS85 - January 13, 2012
who is guys?
Crocker, Peko, Geathers and Nelson? Wouldn’t cry bout none of them leaving. Were a top. #10 in stats because our offense wasn’t good. We were coming from behind every game so by 4th teams were running. The last 10 games how many games did we win were qb threw the ball more than 30 times? Sorry but games we did win we were playing against teams 2 or 3 qbs, rb, Wr. Check the stats. We got man handled by any real offense. So please stop it with rankings.
pray4gm11 - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Please stop it with the nonsense
Oregonbengalsfan - January 13, 2012
Bengals D came up big
and gave us the chance to win several games this year.
Offensives are gonna score.. thats what they get paid to do.
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
Our defense kept us in every game but one.
I think saying we got man handled is over the top. For these past couple of years, I have never once thought at the end of a game that our D couldn’t stop someone. Now, it is the NFL, and players make plays, it happens, it’s the nature of the game. But it’s been a long time since we have had a defense that really makes people take notice.
Ben-GAL - January 13, 2012
My guess
I honestly think Zimmer will get one of the two job openings. My guess is Miami — if Fisher doesn’t take it.
It’s just a matter of time anyway and with Del Rio out of a job now might be the best time for it to happen.
Yarin - January 13, 2012
I'd still like Zimmer as the Bengals HC.
but the rookies saved marvins butt this year
Bengalsfan024 - January 13, 2012
+1
keithster - January 13, 2012
Fisher to the Rams...
Oregonbengalsfan - January 13, 2012
I wanna see jack del rio
If Zimm leaves no excuses get him in the fold
Toasted_Orange_Monster - January 13, 2012 via mobile
So the word earlier this week was
Zim was the “top of the list” for the Fins. So I guess today we’ll get an announcement of Zimmer as the next HC?
Well maybe not, its 4:53pm in DolphinTown and no word….maybe Zimmer isn’t a candidate? I’m thinking we’ll have Zimmer one more year.
BENGALS69 - January 13, 2012
they are re-interviewing
Dave Toub per their fan blog http://www.thephinsider.com/2012/1/13/2705607/hearing-the-mystery-interview-on-saturday-is-dave-toub-for-a-second#comments
joeb69 - January 13, 2012
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