Bucs Greeting Gruden [Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] On his first day on the job, the new coach smoothly shifts the focus to winning football games. McKay impresses new coach, but his future is unclear The Bucs GM is expected to meet with his bosses today. Gruden heaps praise on several players TAMPA -- Running back Warrick Dunn, a soon-to-be unrestricted free agent who was resigned to joining another team next season, already may have started putting his belongings in boxes. 'All I can guarantee is a lot of hard work' TAMPA -- Two days after signing a five-year, $17.5-million deal, Jon Gruden, 38, was formally introduced Wednesday as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here's some of what he had to say. Gruden's Crewe The team Jon Gruden inherited as the new Buccaneers head coach could look quite a bit different from the one that walked off the field after another playoff loss in Philadelphia last month. Some of that will be by design. Undoubtedly, Gruden will take the offense in a new direction, and that will require some new players.

College basketball
Bulls' hopes take hit
Bulls face missing NCAAs with another late slide.

FSU gets answer in win
Cummings helps 'Noles rebound from last season's disappointing loss to Cavs, upsetting No. 22 Virginia.

UF stomps on Auburn to stay in first
More seasoned Gators coast 89-61 to win 20 for fourth straight season.

Tampa coasts to SSC crown
TAMPA -- Sylvere Bryan scored 13 of his 15 in the second half and put four years' worth of frustration to rest Wednesday to lead Tampa to a 66-54 win over Eckerd.

Devil Rays
Dad fears Josh doubting future
Prospect Hamilton is frustrated by back pain. Rays hope cortisone shots do the trick.

McRae sets tone: prepare to pay price
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays' first full-squad workout at the Ray Naimoli training complex began more than 30 minutes late, but for good reason.

Vaughn reports dogged, defiant
Only thing the vocal vet is uncertain about is his future with the team.

Motorsports
One-motor rule kicks in
Two things you won't see in this weekend's Subway 400 at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham: a driver defend his title and a team change its engine.

Golf
Big drives pegged to a slender sliver
Stinger golf tees promise greater distance through less friction with the ball and driver.

Classic, Verizon work to co-exist
Long-time Tampa Bay-area sports fans are well aware of the sometimes acrimonious relationship between sports interests on opposite sides of the water. Could a similar feud develop between the area's two largest golf tournaments?

Lightning
Lightning returns to town
BRANDON -- The Lightning is scheduled to hold its first practice since the Olympic break this morning at the Brandon Ice Forum in preparation for Tuesday's home game against Detroit.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
During the warm spell several weeks ago, a strong push of cobia moved into the shallows around Tarpon Springs.

Preps
PHU boys want their turn
The Hurricanes play in their first state semifinal today against Merritt Island behind a group of veterans and transfers.

Regional quarterfinals
All games tonight at 7:30

Tigers' big inning punishes Lecanto
LECANTO -- Lecanto's Aarika Myles must be wondering what happened to her defense in the second inning Wednesday against Dunnellon. Three bloop singles and two errors proved to be the difference in an 8-4 victory for the Tigers (3-1), who used the miscues to take a five-run lead they wouldn't surrender. "They brought the bats around in the second inning," Dunnellon coach Alison Roland said. "(Myles) threw us some good pitches and we were able to make contact, get one base hit after another and bring some runs around."

State soccer finals
WHEN: Today-Saturday

Down to the last out, Gators rally for a win
LAND O'LAKES -- After what had been a dismal night at the plate, Erica Skillman pined for one last at-bat and a shot at redemption.

Boys basketball regional quarterfinals
All games are tonight at 7:30. Admission is $5.

Wrestling state tournament
WHEN: Today-Saturday

Countryside won't concede title to Brandon
For years, Countryside coach Dave Frayer has tried to schedule a dual meet against Brandon, a wrestling power that has won 359 consecutive dual meets, the longest winning streak of any high school sport in the nation.

A little motivation goes a long way
The Spartans haven't lost since the PCAC tournament, a game in which their rivals cheered against them.

Bond a thriller for Cougars
The senior, who averages 19 points and 12 rebound per game, has Durant in the regional playoffs for the first time.