John McNulty hired as Bucs QB coach, Randy Melvin stays as defensive line coach

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik has announced the hiring of John McNulty as quarterbacks coach, while Randy Melvin appears to be staying as defensive line coach despite earlier reports that he would be let go.

John McNulty replaces Ron Turner, who left the Buccaneers for a head coaching job with Florida International. McNulty was most recently the Cardinals' quarterbacks coach, after acting as their receivers coach from 2009 through 2011. He as prior coaching experience with Greg Schiano, having coached wide receivers and quarterbacks for Rutgers from 2004 to 2006. The Buccaneers wanted to interview him last year, presumably for their offensive coordinator opening, but the Arizona Cardinals did not give permission for that interview.

McNulty will have a major job this season: improving Josh Freeman's play and consistency. He doesn't exactly have an imposing track record coaching quarterbacks, given that his Rutgers quarterbacks didn't exactly do much in the NFL, and last year's Arizona quarterbacks represented probably the worst collection of passers I have seen in the NFL. Except for maybe last year's Jets. His work as a receivers coach is more impressive, having coached Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood in college as well as Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in the NFL.

Meanwhile, the news that the Bucs will retain Randy Melvin comes as a bit of a surprise. Melvin coached a considerable amount of talent along the defensive line, but didn't get much production in the form of sacks out of his players. A major concern was the execution of stunts and games, which didn't produce much results.

The Bucs have two open coaching positions and could see a few more created. The Buccaneers still need a new defensive backs coach and receivers coach, and have been interviewing candidates according to the Buccaneers twitter feed.