The history of NFL coaching changes indicates that where there is smoke, there is usually a firing not far beyond, and that will soon become the case for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their coach Tony Dungy.
Sources close to the situation Sunday evening confirmed that Dungy will be dismissed within the next 48 hours, likely as early as Monday, after six seasons and a 56-46 record. But the second part of the equation, the official hiring of Bill Parcells, probably will be delayed for five-to-seven days as he finalizes contract details and begins the process of assembling a staff.
According to a report in the Tampa Tribune on Monday, Parcells' deal is believed to be for three years and may include an option for two years or more that would allow Parcells to assume a higher role in the organization should he desire it.
The dismissal of the classy Dungy and the arrival of Parcells to one of the most underachieving clubs in recent NFL history has been rumored for nearly a year. Rumors first began last year in days preceding Super Bowl XXXV that Bucs management was flirting with Parcells, but owner Malcolm
Glazer ultimately decided to maintain the status quo.
Published reports last week indicated that Dungy would be fired if the Bucs
lost to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs, and that the
franchise had a tentative agreement to replace him with Parcells. Tampa Bay lost to the
Eagles on Saturday evening and failed to score a
touchdown in a playoff elimination contest for the third year in a row.
Bucs general manager Rich McKay, who could lose his job in a Parcells-led
structure, met with Glazer family members Sunday evening in an effort to
save Dungy's job.
Dungy, 46, led the Bucs from the football wilderness and is the one winning
coach in then mostly dismal history of the franchise. He won 10 games three
times in six seasons and took the team to the playoffs on four occasions.
But veteran players said as far back as training camp that the roster should
be dismantled if the club did not progress to Super Bowl XXXVI, and the
talented Bucs will be recalled as one of the most underachieving teams in
recent history.
Saying it would serve no purpose to talk about reports that he
may be replaced by Parcells, Dungy reiterated Sunday that he's taking the approach that he
will be back next season.
"I don't really want to speculate on what other people think,
what you guys think or what people should think about what may or
may not happen," Dungy said. "We have a plan to move on, and
that's what we're going to do."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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DONEgy in Tampa
