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Bucs' Edwards is in demand

Defensive backs coach will interview for head-coaching vacancies with Lions, Jets, Houston.

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By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 13, 2001

TAMPA -- Herm Edwards was in his broom closet office at One Buc Place Friday afternoon preparing to interview for the New York Jets coaching job next week when opportunity knocked on his door again.

"It was (Bucs general manager) Rich McKay and he said, "Man, you're hot right now,' " Edwards said.

The Bucs granted Detroit president Matt Millen permission Friday to interview Edwards for the Lions coaching job.

Edwards would appear to be Millen's first choice to replace Gary Moeller, who has three years remaining on his contract.

Millen might talk to Edwards Sunday night in Newark, N.J., one day before the Bucs defensive backs coach is scheduled to meet with Jets general manager Terry Bradway about that coaching vacancy.

"I don't know what exactly is going on up there, but he sent the release form. He got approval to interview me for the Lions head-coaching job," Edwards said.

Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dom Capers and Giants assistant Maurice Carthon are expected to interview with the Jets this weekend.

But Edwards has a history with Bradway, the personnel director of the Chiefs when Edwards was an assistant from 1990-95.

Edwards also is scheduled to interview Jan. 22 with the Houston Texans, who begin play in 2002.

"It's exciting," he said. "If you ask me do I feel I can be the head coach and do a good job for the Jets, the answer is yes. I've just got to go up there and put everything out on the table. But once everything is on the table, is it going to be a good fit? Do I fit with what he wants to do? I think I do.

"It's great to be interviewed. It's great to know that going in Rich and Tony have given me 100 percent and now I've just got to go in there and do the best I can."

What was expected to be a quiet off-season for the Bucs has become one in which Dungy may have to revamp his staff.

He fired offensive coordinator Les Steckel Monday and was expected to interview Chiefs offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye this weekend in Orlando. Bills offensive coordinator Joe Pendry is expected to meet with Dungy at the Senior Bowl workouts in Mobile, Ala.

The Bucs also lost linebackers coach Lovie Smith, who was hired as the Rams defensive coordinator.

Edwards said: "The thing that gets overlooked is that I've been the assistant head coach under Tony the last five years and he's given me the opportunity to be in on everything that happens with the football team as a head coach. It's not just the X's and O's or the offense or defense. It's the whole football team.

"If we've had to discipline a player, or whatever has come up, I've seen the whole gamut."

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