Dominik Was (Is?) Nervous About Losing Sullivan
August 11th, 2013
One ugly reality of the 2013 season is the status of offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan.
A West Point grad, Sullivan attended the Army’s Airborne, Ranger and Air Assault schools before serving as an officer and then embarking on a 20-year career in football coaching. Sullivan’s also got a couple of Super Bowl rings with the Giants, references, and he marshaled the ninth-ranked offense in the NFL last season.
Another season of strong Buccaneers offense, and Sullivan would be a hot head-coaching candidate, and a worthy one. Sullivan jumped at the chance to interview for the open Bears head coaching job last season.
Based on rockstar general manager Mark Dominik’s comments yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Dominik believed Sullivan was a serious candidate in Chicago.
“I was a little nervous Mike Sullivan was going to be one and done here. You know, he had a chance to get hired, and that was big for us, selfishly,” Dominik said. “Mike Sullivan is a heck of an offensive coordinator.”
Of course, losing Sullivan would be disastrous. Josh Freeman and/or Mike Glennon would not benefit from a new playcaller in 2014. Yes, the Bucs have Greg Schiano’s former Rutgers offensive coordinator on staff now, John McNulty, the new quarterbacks coach. But Joe would like to see the Rugters defense shine in the NFL before Joe starts considering the Rutgers offense.
As for Sullivan, the Bucs can’t stop him from interviewing for head-coaching gigs, but they could try to make his decision more difficult with a fat raise after what is hopefully a successful season.
August 11th, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Give the man a big raise effective 2014….and….if he leaves, we won’t have to pay it!!! But, actually a raise won’t keep him here if he wants a HC job. Lets take advantage of his leadership while he’s here.
August 11th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Losing Sullivan would be the worst possible thing that could happen to Freeman.
August 11th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
cnulty was a great hire, and I am sure they had that in mind when they hired him….
It would be nice if Fre could stay in the same system for a few yrs …like Eli has
August 11th, 2013 at 6:36 pm
This has been a concern since mid season in 2012.
Pay him head coach money if need be. Who cares? Coaching salary doesn’t apply to the cap so just pay him. Do what it takes to keep him. I don’t care if the Glazers have to bad mouth him around the league to keep him. Whatever it takes, we need this man.
The worst part about all this is, the Panthers could very well have a head coaching position available in 2014 . . . THAT, would be a disaster.
August 11th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
*mcnulty*
August 11th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Really…… do we need all this hand wringing and the sky is falling already about Sully leaving. Look, Sully is locked down for the rest of this season. Let’s worry about this at the end of this very successful play off appearing season please.
August 11th, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Let’s see how 2013 turns out first. If losing Sully gets us to the post season, then it won’t hurt so bad. We can always keep the same offensive concept (playbook) and promote McNulty as OC and let him tweak it how he see’s fit. My concern is what WCBF said, and that is Sully hiring inside our own division. But I don’t think he would do that as a matter of principle.
August 11th, 2013 at 6:58 pm
Glazers have plenty of money to throw at him it’ll be fine
August 11th, 2013 at 7:31 pm
I agree, pay him head coaching money. still… that might not be enough to get him to stay if he aspires to be a head coach and be the head hancho of his own program. whatever happens we’ll just have to make do.
August 11th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Someone else should learn his system and keep the continuity for seasons to come and why not master the theory and concepts of the system.
August 11th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
He should have jumped last year, and got while the getting was still good. Other teams figured our offense out, right before the 5 game losing streak. Our schedule is murder this year, doubt we are gonna set any offensive records.
But I am always hoping:)
August 11th, 2013 at 8:09 pm
I would love to see the NFL put in place some sort of rule for caoches to length of stay. I get they need to move up and I get the team may want them gone…. but… SO MANY players are hurt by the carosuels.
Maybe make position coaches 2 year gigs minimum and coordinators 3 years… with out clauses if both parties agree.
Imagine how many QBs would have blossomed a little better with some more stability.
August 11th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
@Dave, that would be a terrible idea. We have been on the receiving end of not being able to talk to coaches and it’s really huts us. I would hate for it to become policy and it’s really bad for the coaches that want to move up. Besides, the coaches union would never go for that.
August 11th, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Coach Sully and Coach Cox, the best asst coach’s on this staff.
August 11th, 2013 at 8:24 pm
Raphael, I agree with you and they are likely preparing for McNulty to take over next year. He was Schiano’s right hand man before and can be again.
August 11th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
At the time, the Chicago media barely even mentioned him. He seemed to be an afterthought. They even mispronounced his name. Sure seemed to me like the Bears were not interested.
That being said, I hope he does well this year!
August 11th, 2013 at 9:13 pm
I’m not especially impressed with Sullivan. The bucs offense did not look methodical or detail oriented. They were clearly out coached against Philadelphia, the low point of the season. The defense especially versus the pass can be blamed for the overall win/loss record. All things considered the offense looked too predictable, toss deep balls to VJax and Williams.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:03 pm
I just Hope we do not lose the first “good” and getting better Offensive Coordinator our team has rarely if ever had, we ran and passed very well over the course of last season.9 In some games one better than other but mostly effective when called on. I am Very excited to see how Coach Sullivan adapts and asserts the offensive game plan needed to win in the NFL and our yearly NFC South division battle plan. If we have an option with Coach Sullivan to extend him long term I would jump on it. Hate to loose him. To another South rival would be difficult to swallow.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:11 pm
I think that’s why McNulty was brought in. To learn the playbook because Sully was getting HC looks and it’s possible he’ll be one down the road. Lot depends on this season.
The offense will not change under Schiano. McNulty is here to step right in if needed.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:35 pm
The playbook is what it is…..its all about reading the D and play calling 😉
August 11th, 2013 at 10:36 pm
I heard an interview with Schiano & he said they are running the “Buccaneers Offense” & that gives me the impression that they will run the same offensive system regardless of the coordinator.
August 11th, 2013 at 10:57 pm
Doc, What about OL Coach Bob Bostad? Don’t forget him.
August 12th, 2013 at 12:35 am
Give him the Assistant head coach title and pay him including a bonus for each year he stays. Show him the love and hope he stays…
August 12th, 2013 at 4:37 pm
I’d offer him a FAT RAISE right now regardless of our QB position. He has a great offense and if were lucky this year Josh Freeman masters it and can run it on his own in 2014. I hope thats what happens
August 12th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
Stanglassman, you are correct on OL coach Bostad outstanding job.