Tampa Bay To Hire Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano As Head Coach

After bringing the Rutgers University program up from practically nothing, Greg Schiano will now try to do the same for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Schiano and the Bucs are now finalizing a contract that would make him the team’s new head coach, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schiano, 45, has been the head coach for the Big East’s Scarlet Knights since 2001 and has compiled a 68-67 record over that span. However, Schiano is highly regarded as a good fit for the pro game and has drawn praise from people like Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Just as he faced challenges with Rutges, he’ll face just as many challenges with Tampa Bay.

The move came just a few days after Oregon coach Chip Kelly reportedly turned down the job.

The Bucs lost their final 10 games of the 2011 season to finish at 4-12 and allowed at least 31 points in their last five contests. The team does have a decent young QB in Josh Freeman, but not much else on the offensive end and an aging defense that finished 30th in the NFL in yards allowed.