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By RICK STROUD
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 11, 2001
TAMPA -- The Bucs' search for their future offensive coordinator will begin with a name from the past.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye was scheduled to arrive Wednesday night in Tampa and interview with coach Tony Dungy this morning.
Raye, 54, was Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator for two seasons under Leeman Bennett in 1985-86 when the Bucs suffered through consecutive 2-14 seasons.
The Bucs are looking for a replacement for Les Steckel, who was fired Tuesday after one season.
Raye has received a big endorsement from Bucs defensive backs coach Herman Edwards, who served with him on the Chiefs staff under Marty Schottenheimer.
Dungy is expected to interview several candidates, including Bucs quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen. But because of his experience and how easily he would fit into Dungy's staff, Raye would be considered a front-runner.
"I really don't have a timetable," Dungy said Tuesday. "Obviously, the faster you get things in place, the faster you can move."
Raye, who has been mentioned as a candidate for jobs in Carolina, Chicago and Washington, presided over one of the league's best passing offenses this season. Chiefs quarterback Elvis Grbac's 4,169 passing yards was third in the NFL. Kansas City's offense ranked eighth overall.
Raye's 24 seasons in the NFL provides him with the credibility and experience needed to develop quarterback Shaun King while making better use of receiver Keyshawn Johnson and running backs Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott.
"We have some pieces of the puzzle in place, and as I talk to people, that will be a question that I will have on my mind: How does this person see us using the pieces we have?" Dungy said.
The Jets' list of possible replacements for Bill Parcells begins with Bucs director of player personnel Jerry Angelo.
A veteran of 20 NFL seasons, Angelo met Wednesday in New York with Jets owner Woody Johnson about succeeding Parcells as general manager.
The Bucs granted the Jets permission to interview Angelo, who flew to New York on Tuesday. Angelo checked out of his Long Island hotel room Wednesday and was unavailable for comment.