Penn State Passes On Tom Clements

January 5th, 2012

In Joe’s eyes the best piece of news about the search for a successor to jettisoned Bucs coach Raheem Morris just came from Chris Mortensen of BSPN, who is reporting Penn State has chosen a successor to iconic Joe Paterno and that man is New England offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.

Why should Bucs fans care? Because Packers quarterback coach Tom Clements was thought to be the leading candidate to fill the vacant position.

If, as the Bucs claim, it’s all about No. 5, there may not be a better guy on the market who has a long resume of developing strong NFL quarterbacks.

Let’s go Bucs, get this interview scheduled while the Packers have a bye week.

27 Responses to “Penn State Passes On Tom Clements”

  1. Patrick Says:

    Joe, I just don’t feel good about making Tom Clements a head coach when he’s currently a QB (position coach).

    But he is a damn interesting candidate!! I think he’d be a great option as an offensive coordinator……but as a head coach…..mmm…not too sure.

    But he’d surely be better than Raheem.

  2. Rob Says:

    I agree but I still would like to see Rob Ryan or Brian Billick!

  3. canadianbuc Says:

    TO everyone who keeps putting Brian Billicks name in the look for a coach….Has he said he would come back to coaching……..???????

  4. Joe Says:

    canadianbuc:

    People who know Billick are adamant he wants to return to coaching. Joe’s starting to think either the guy has been blackballed or he must have really been an arse to the wrong people in Baltimore.

  5. Big Marlon B Says:

    If they have interest in Mularkey, he has previously had Clements work under him….as his offensive coordinator in Buffalo, and as his QB coach when he was the coordinator in Pittsburgh. Just sayin….

  6. TPCMatt Says:

    Love the idea of Clements. More as an OC, but why would he leave GB for anything less than a HC position?

  7. SteveK Says:

    @TPSMatt

    He may come to TE Bucs as OC assistant head coach if Mularkey gets the HC position? Maybe he would come here and work some of the Aaron Rodgers wisdom on Free?

    IMO, Rodgers is darn good on his own, but I believe Clements can help Coach Freeman to his abilities (something Olsen never did).

    With all that, we would need a BEAST DC tome come in, any ideas on who the DC would be?

  8. buccin cane Says:

    Joe…or any poster with knowledge of the situation, was Clements in Green Bay with Sherman the reason I’m asking is if the rumors swirling about Sherman becoming our next head coach is there any chance of him bringing in Clements with him as an OC.

  9. ty Says:

    billick was on mike and mike in the morning and said he would coach if the situation were right

  10. Patrick Says:

    Being an offensive coordinator is a step up from a QB coach, so why wouldn’t Clements accept that job?

  11. Max Says:

    I don’t want Billick he does not have a good track record with young QB’s. We need someone defensive minded anyway.

  12. canada buc fan Says:

    Buccin Cane,

    Sherman was fired a the end of the 05 season, Celements was hired at the beginning of the 06 season. Clements was the OC in buffalo while mularkey was the head coach.

  13. DSZ Says:

    Re: Clements

    Haven’t we already tried the “position coach to head coach” move? Don’t think that is going to happen this time around. I like Billick’s attitude and he makes about as much sense as anybody else I’ve seen so far.

    One name I haven’t seen mentioned here is Packers assistant head coach (and former Bucs LB) Winston Moss. If, for some bizarre reason, the Glazers do want to go cheap and take a flier on somebody then his name might come up.

  14. TPCMatt Says:

    @Patrick, I understand OC is a promotion from QB coach. The thing is, there’s a decent chance the current OC (Philbin) becomes a head coach, very soon. I would think Clements 2 b his successor. Would u rather b OC in GB, or TB?

    @SteveK, That sounds 2 good 2 b tru. Unfortunately, I feel the same about the beast DC’s. Zimmer and Pagano. Y would they leave their current situation? Unless it’s 2 b HC. I’m all 4 ur suggestion. Maybe Spagnuolo could run the D?

  15. Meh Says:

    No thanks. Not as HC anyway. Maybe OC.

  16. mbaby Says:

    This why people haven’t been talking about Billick http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/sports/Dolphins-Interview-Toub-Not-Interested-in-Billick-136705163.html

  17. BucsfaninMi Says:

    Seems like Miami is a little more serious about their search!

  18. Garv Says:

    Due diligence. Bring them all in for an interview. Simple as that. The Bucs appear to be doing that, taking their time for this important hire and I have no problem with that.
    Frankly, I’ll support whoever it is from day one. I’ll want him to succeed unlike some who relished the failure of a man they hated from day one, win or lose.

  19. Jake Says:

    @Garv…it really does the Tampa Bay community a disservice to say Raheem was “hated” from day one win or lose. Very few hated Raheem the man. What many hated was that he was thrust in a position which he was not qualified for by owners with a financial agenda that continually demonstrated a lack of financial commitment to winning. Raheem was the target caused by the owners austerity “plan” which people hated. This is a fine community that doesn’t deserve to be painted with the broad brush your message connotes.

  20. eric Says:

    it says billick has no tolerance for dumb people.

    obviously cant work here.

  21. TheProsUseAdvoCare Says:

    Even if you aren’t going to make him the head coach, you still interview the guy. He may end up being the OC. Which is not a bad idea.

  22. mbaby Says:

    Just heard Billick on Dan Sileo and I think we should give him a shot.Rah to Vikings?

  23. adam ant Says:

    I listened to Dan Sileo interview Brian Billick this morning and after hearing him, I really think he should be strongly considered for the head coaching job. C’mon Glazers, get off your asses and get him in for an interview.

  24. Bobby Says:

    Love this guy!! Let’s get it done. He is in my opinion the best of all the candidates mentioned. Knows X’s & O’s, could turn Freeman into an elite QB, good communicator, has tons of experience in coaching, both as a position coach and a coordinator. Don’t give me a retread, give me Clements.

  25. Rob Says:

    Look at Billicks track record he was the OC for the Vikings and won a bunch of games with middle of the row QBs and when he got his chance to be a head coach he just won and eaven won a SB with Dilfer this guy would be great for Freeman! Also look at what he did with hiring the staff below him how many head coaches did he produce I can name two and look at the Df it still is great! He is a well rounded coach that needs another chance.

  26. A REAL Bucs Fan Says:

    For those afraid of a move like this because he’s a QB coach, I would say look deeper at his history beyond his current position.

  27. Bobby Says:

    Hey everybody was wanting Andy Reid and he was a QB coach at Green Bay before Philly hired him. Just sayin’….