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Lewis assembling his Bucs staff

Offense is the priority as contract negotiations with Glazers are wrapping up.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 8, 2002

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TAMPA -- After an about-face decision to hire Marvin Lewis as coach, Bucs vice presidents Joel and Bryan Glazer met face-to-face with the Ravens defensive coordinator for the first time Thursday in Baltimore.

Lewis, who is expected to finish negotiations this afternoon, outlined his plan for offensive coordinator, thought to be the key component for his success in Tampa Bay.

Former Indiana University coach Cam Cameron, who was fired by the Hoosiers on Dec. 5 after compiling an 18-37 record in five seasons, could be hired today as offensive coordinator.

Cameron, 41, had the No. 3 scoring offense in the Big Ten, averaging 27.7 points and 435.3 yards during a 5-6 season in 2001.

Cameron coached quarterbacks from 1994-96 for the Redskins under then-coach Norv Turner.

The thinking is that Cameron will install an offense similar to Turner's, which would be an easy transition for Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson, who played for Turner in Washington.

The Bucs lost another candidate for offensive coordinator, New England's Charlie Weis, when he signed a two-year, $1-million contract Thursday to remain with the Patriots.

Reached at his home in North Carolina on Thursday night, Cameron confirmed he is Lewis' top choice for offensive coordinator. "Obviously, there's not much I can say right now. I don't feel comfortable saying much until I hear from Marvin (tonight)."

The rest of Lewis' offensive staff is taking shape. Ken Zampese is expected to be hired as quarterbacks coach. Zampese, the Rams receivers coach, played at the University of San Diego.

The Bucs also plan to hire former Cowboys running backs coach Clarence Shelmon, 49, whose contract was not renewed after this season when Bruce Coslet was named offensive coordinator.

Shelmon spent the past four seasons with the Cowboys, where he coached future Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith. Before that, he spent six season with the Seattle Seahawks.

That gives Lewis four offensive assistants. Jets offensive line coach Bill Muir was hired by the team earlier this week before Lewis was offered the head-coaching job.

Richard Mann, the Redskins receivers coach last season, is expected to be named to the same job with the Bucs.

By far, the most important job belongs to Cameron, who will be entrusted to spark an offense that never ranked higher than 21st under former coach Tony Dungy.

"I think it's important that they go and put together a great offensive staff," Bucs safety John Lynch said after Pro Bowl workouts Thursday in Hawaii. "I'll be anxious to see that. But I think Rich McKay's approach is the right approach, to get the best guy regardless of what side of the ball he's on." After satisfying the Glazers that all attempts to trade for the rights to Raiders coach Jon Gruden were exhausted Wednesday night, McKay quickly reached an agreement in principle Thursday with Lewis to become the Bucs' seventh head coach.

Negotiations on a contract for Lewis, between four and six years at more than $1-million per season, are expected to be completed this afternoon, although Lewis will not be introduced as coach until Monday.

That should give McKay and Lewis time to complete his staff.

Most members of the defensive staff are expected to remain, although it's unclear whether Monte Kiffin or Rod Marinelli will serve as defensive coordinator. Dungy wants to hire Marinelli as Colts defensive coordinator and the Bucs may promote him to retain his services. Dungy has no interest, however, in Kiffin, the result of a possible rift during the Bill Parcells debacle.

A defensive strategist, Lewis' biggest task will be convincing the Glazers that the Bucs will score points next season. For that, he will rely on Cameron, a former two-sport star who played football under Sam Wyche and basketball under Bob Knight at Indiana.

Cameron began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan, where he coached until '93 under Bo Schembechler and Lloyd Carr. He is credited with helping to develop Wolverines quarterbacks Jim Harbaugh, Todd Collins and Elvis Grbac.

Cameron's Hoosiers were known for their innovative offense, particularly behind quarterback/receiver Antwaan Randle El. The Big Ten Most Valuable Player is projected as a late first-round pick at receiver in the NFL draft.

"Cam is an excellent coach," Turner said. "He is conscientious and a very intelligent guy. He is great with people and he did a great job with our young quarterbacks in Washington."

By hiring Cameron, Lewis seems to have begun to distance himself from the comparisons with Dungy, at least on his offensive philosophy.

His hiring also has been met with positive reaction from several key Bucs players, including Lynch and fullback Mike Alstott.

"I just know him from watching the Ravens," Lynch said. "I'm a great admirer of his defense and what he's able to do there. I've learned some stuff from some of the guys here this week. Rod Woodson and Sam Adams speak very highly of him.

"Obviously Jon Gruden and Bill Parcells are big names. It would've been exciting if either of those happened. But Tony Dungy wasn't a big name when he came to us and he did some darn good things."

Bucs receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who tied for the NFL lead with 106 receptions but only one touchdown, said he had heard nothing but good things about Cameron at Pro Bowl workouts.

"He's supposed to be pretty good," Johnson said. "As long as he understands he needs to get the ball to No. 19. I think with the guys they've already got, our offensive staff is much improved over the one we had last year."

That's good news for Lewis, whose $4-million-plus contract will be guaranteed. That, along with the Bucs' performance, might be the only deterrents to the Glazers making another run at Gruden, who said he won't coach the Raiders in 2003.

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