Rumor starter: Charlie Weis to Tampa Bay

by Paul Mueller on Nov 24, 2009 9:16 AM EST

It’s what readers do here every day when they comment on stories. It’s why we tune into sports radio and why we watch Sportscenter with religious frequency. Gossip is fun. Some say it’s for girls, others call it juvenile and think there’s no place for it. I happen to enjoy it.

So, what do ya say we start a nice little rumor?

Charlie Weis is likely out as head coach at Notre Dame. The Irish have not announced it yet, but Weis himself said he wouldn’t be surprised if he were removed from office. So, a return to the NFL could be in his future. If so, Tampa Bay might not be a bad place for him to land.

Weis’s resume speaks for itself. In five years coordinating the offense under Bill Belichick, the Patriots went 53-27 during the regular season and 9-0 in the playoffs with three Super Bowl wins - better than the Buccaneer franchise has done in its history. He also helped groom Tom Brady into a Hall of Fame quarterback when he took over for the injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001.

At this time, please pause your reading to daydream of what Josh Freeman could become with a mentor and coach like Weis.

So, I’m beginning to wonder if Weis would be a good fit in Tampa Bay.

Raheem Morris is a defensive coach, so Weis would get full reign over the offense, something he would likely prefer if he were to return to the NFL. Twenty years older than Morris, he would bring experience to a young team and expertise to a novice offense.

Demoting Jim Bates and sending him to the booth was the first step in what will likely be a coaching staff shakeup in the offseason. While Morris’s job is safe, assistants and coordinators are all up in the air.

There’s no indication Olson in on his way out, and Weis is, for the moment, still the head coach of the Irish. And if Olson were to go, there’s no guarantee Weis would return to the NFL. If he did, there’s no talk outside of this article suggesting he’d be interested in coming to Tampa.

But that’s why they call it a rumor.

Poll

Should the Buccaneers pursue Charlie Weis for the offensive coordinator position?

Yes, immediately

195 votes

No, search elsewhere

82 votes

No, stick with Greg Olson

50 votes

327 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Or Pause to consider how far back it will set Freeman to have to start over with ANOTHER OC.

Besides, He will be going straight back to New England.

Viva la Bucco Bruce 1976-1996 (reincarnated 2009)

by Niko Houllis on Nov 24, 2009 11:24 AM EST reply actions

I'd rather Freeman start over with a new OC that knows what he's doing

rather than stay with one who is clueless. If it’s broke, fix it.

by bucnut1 on Nov 24, 2009 12:06 PM EST up reply actions

Correct me if i'm mistaken

But wouldn’t taking a coordinator position in the pros from head coaching in NCAA be taking a step back? Why would Weis take the OC job with us(considering our current stance) and pass up head coaching with Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis, or Washington?

by Danny180 on Nov 24, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions

I highly doubt any of those places

would want a guy that couldn’t make Notre Dame!!!!! competitive. Some people are just better suited as coordinators.

"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McKay

by LeeCaz on Nov 24, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Also:

Charlie Weis could take Josh Freeman and mold him into something really special. He is great with quarterbacks.

"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McKay

by LeeCaz on Nov 24, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions

See Jimmy Clausen

Why do you kill threads????

by 4QB on Nov 24, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

And

Tom Brady

"Three or four plane crashes and we're in the playoffs" - John McKay

by LeeCaz on Nov 24, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

My take on it is . . .

it would be taking a step back. But why would an NFL team give Weis a job as the head man when he couldn’t even get it done at the college level? Sure, it’s a different game and you don’t have to worry about recruiting in the NFL. However, he’s an offensive guru, just not head coach material. I’ve always sid that a head coach in the NFL is supposed to run the team from a personnel standpoint, not act as a coordinator. A head coach gives a team an identity: Mike Tomlin, Tony Sporano and Tony Dungy all brought, and bring, identities to their team. That’s why Gruden couldn’t succeed here. He couldn’t give up the offense. If Gruden was just the head coach and not the offensive coordinator, he’d have done well, but he couldn’t do it.

Charlie Weis is best suited as a coordinator, in my mind. He’s all about play calling and player development, not running a business, which is what a football team truly is. But that’s just my take on it.

"I'm throwing rocks tonight. Mark it, Dude" - Donny

by Paul Mueller on Nov 24, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I would take Weis

In a heart beat! Weis will do great with our weapons….Three 1,000 RB’s; K2, Straughter, (and maybe AB) oh the out side, a good, young OLine, and a QB whom has all the Physical talents every QB wishes they had….He just needs a guiding hand, and Weis’s hand would be perfect for him. Yes he would be taking a step back in taking this job, which is why i don’t thing he will take it, but i think as soon as Weis is fired, TB should call Weis during his press confrence and offer him a 2 year 6 mill and make sure he signs the contract ASAP!

by shadowchicken on Nov 24, 2009 2:08 PM EST reply actions

Get em!

Hey, hey Tampa Bay!!!

Bucs: Raheem will become relevant when his actions speak louder than his words. Gators: National Champions! Magic: Stop getting injured!

by chiefs_55 on Nov 24, 2009 3:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions

The offense is not the biggest bucs problem.

The bucs are effective in the red zone, they are at the top of the league. Now the problem is that they don’t get there enough. I see a change in da offense also. I see the bucs going to more of a power running game vs the zone blocking. I like the direction the offense is going in, we just need to get some receivers- AB is banged up and its a lost cause for him this season, Clayton can’t catch a cold naked in alaska, stovall – he looks good 1 day and he doesn’t do a think the next day. Stroughter- he is only a rookie and needs time to develop. The bucs need to draft a WR with one of the top 3 picks. Until we can get someone to stretch the defense, freeman will be running for his life and Winslow will be our top Reciever which isn’t a formula for success. The offense is missing the explosive player at the WR position. AB can be the go to guy when healthy but we still need someone to have the speed to get deep. The bucs haven’t ever had a WR that can take the offense to the next level.

by tbbuc4 on Nov 25, 2009 12:23 AM EST reply actions