Veteran QB coach joins Bucs

By RICK STROUD
Published January 25, 2005

MOBILE, Ala. - There isn't much former Jets offensive coordinator Paul Hackett hasn't seen in 16 NFL seasons. Now he will provide a new pair of eyes in the sky for Bucs coach Jon Gruden.

Tampa Bay officially announced the hiring of Hackett as quarterbacks coach Monday, a move that was expected after a marathon chalkboard session last weekend with Gruden.

Hackett, who interviewed with the Bucs days after resigning under fire from the Jets, replaces John Shoop, whose contract was not renewed after one season.

"Change is hard and we're very excited, obviously, to add Paul Hackett, a guy that at least in my circles is the best quarterbacks coach in my lifetime," Gruden said. "He's coached the best. He's going to be a tremendous resource for me and for our offensive staff. We're very eager to get started."

It's the second addition to Gruden's coaching staff in the past five days. Tampa Bay hired former Raiders offensive line coach Aaron Kromer as a senior assistant. He will assist offensive line coach Bill Muir, who has a back ailment that may require surgery. Muir did not accompany the coaching staff to the Senior Bowl, scheduled for Saturday, and may retire when his contract expires after the 2005 season.

Kromer, 37, essentially takes the spot held by former Tampa Bay guard Jim Pyne, whose contract was not renewed.

Meanwhile, it may be two weeks before the Bucs know defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin's plans. He is a candidate for the Dolphins defensive coordinator position under Nick Saban. But Miami also is waiting to interview Patriots assistant Dean Pees.

"We're handling that," Gruden said. "Mike's a good friend and great coach. A lot of people are interested in him. There will be closure here soon."

Among Hackett duties will be to aid Gruden's play calling by analyzing opposing defenses from the coaches box on game day. In nine seasons as an offensive coordinator with the Jets and Chiefs, Hackett's teams compiled a 90-54 record and reached the playoffs seven times.

"Jon Gruden has had remarkable success and continues to be on the cutting edge of offensive football," Hackett said. "It's an honor for me to join Coach Gruden and his staff, one of the premier staffs in the NFL. Jon brings so much enthusiasm to the game, and I am really excited to be a part of it."

Gruden relied heavily on Hackett's recommendation when the Raiders signed quarterback Rich Gannon as a free agent. Hackett coached Gannon as offensive coordinator of the Chiefs.

"Paul Hackett was a great resource for me and I leaned on his input," Gruden said. "Kansas City went with Elvis Grbac, Gannon was free to look elsewhere and Paul Hackett's advice and his reference to Gannon was very strong in my opinion. He was dead on."

Hackett's teaching is a who's who of NFL quarterbacks, including the 49ers' Joe Montana, the Falcons' Steve Bartkowski, Gannon and the Jets' Chad Pennington.

Upon learning Hackett had join the Bucs, Montana gave him a strong endorsement.

"Over the years I've been fortunate to have had some great individual coaches, and Paul is one of the best," Montana said in a statement released by the club. "He is one of the hardest workers and a perfectionist in everything he does. Paul is easy to work with as a quarterback, and he understands the little parts of the game because he has been there."

Gruden served as a receivers coach under Hackett at the University of Pittsburgh in 1991. They were reunited in a grueling interview session last weekend.

"I think it was three days," Gruden said. "He's a night guy and I'm a morning guy. I mean, he punished me the first night. But I got him up early the next day and killed him. ...

"Since he's been with the Jets, there hasn't been, I think, an offensive player drafted that didn't make their team. And we've got to get some young offensive players to come in and make the damn team and develop and become players for us."

[Last modified January 25, 2005, 01:21:08]