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John McNulty blocked from becoming Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Offensive Coordinator

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27:  Coach Greg Schiano of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks to the media at an introduction press conference Jat the team training facility anuary 27, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 27: Coach Greg Schiano of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks to the media at an introduction press conference Jat the team training facility anuary 27, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
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Greg Schiano is hard at work assembling a coaching staff, but his efforts are being blocked according to Jason LaCanfora. The Buccaneers asked the Arizona Cardinals for permission to interview their wide receivers coach John McNulty for the position of offensive coordinator, but the Cardinals refused to allowed this. Under NFL rules, a move from position coach to coordinator is not considered a promotion and can hence be blocked by teams that have those position coaches under contract.

John McNulty coached under Schiano at Rutgers for five seasons, and served as his offensive coordinator for two of those. Blocking interviews like this is fairly common in the NFL.

With McNulty off the radar, Schiano could look towards his own college staff for an offensive coordinator. Frank Cignetti, Jr. was his offensive coordinator the past year. In addition, there are a few experienced NFL coordinators on the market. Hue Jackson and Todd Haley are both still available.