This is turning into a fiasco. Friedgen decides to stay at Maryland -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland's Ralph Friedgen withdrew his name from consideration for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coaching opening Tuesday. Friedgen, fresh off leading Maryland to a 10-2 record in his first season as a head coach, met with officials of the Buccaneers on Monday. Friedgen is the latest in a series of coaches interviewed by the Buccaneers, who are seeking a replacement for Tony Dungy, fired last month after the team's first-round playoff loss in Philadelphia. The Bucs already talked to former NFL coach Bill Parcells and Marvin Lewis. Parcells backed away from the offer and Lewis, then defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, was ultimately shunned. Then, less than 24 hours after speaking with the sons of Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer, Friedgen announced that he was staying put. "It's very flattering to be considered after so many years of not being considered," said Friedgen, a longtime assistant before being hired by Maryland. "We have a long way to go here. I know what I have here. Sometimes you don't know what you'll have in other places." Friedgen, speaking in a news conference at the university, said he was never formally offered the Bucs job, and never discussed financial terms with the Glazers. But he said he agreed to the meeting out of curiosity. "It's something you have to look into from a monetary standpoint," he said. But after meeting with his players early Tuesday morning, Friedgen said he decided to stay at Maryland. Friedgen signed a 10-year contract with Maryland in December after leading the Terrapins to their first Atlantic Coast Conference title since 1986 and a berth in the Orange Bowl. Two days after signing the extension, Friedgen was named Associated Press College Coach of the Year. Lewis, who later accepted a job as defensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins, criticized the Bucs on Monday for their handling of the coaching search. "It was a meeting that was already set one way," Lewis said of his session with the sons of Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer. Although Friedgen made a name for himself as offensive coordinator of Georgia Tech and the man responsible for reviving Maryland's long suffering program, his experience has not been limited to the college game. He served with the San Diego Chargers in 1993-96 under Bobby Ross, helping the team reach the Super Bowl in 1995 as its offensive coordinator. Friedgen's announcement Tuesday backed up his sentiments upon signing his extension on Dec. 13 after being approached by Georgia Tech. "It's telling the world I want to be here," he said at the time. More from ESPN... Despite stakeout, no word on McKay's future with Bucs Bucs general manager Rich ... Hall of Fame fill-in? Levy seeks short-term Bucs job Hall of Fame member Marv Levy ... ESPN Tools Email story Most sent Print story ESPN EXTRA Contest: The Best Seat in YOUR House Domino's and MasterCard want to deliver you a new 40-inch flat screen TV. Click here to enter for your chance to win. ESPN.com:Help | Advertiser Info | Contact Us | Tools | Jobs at ESPN.com Copyright ©2002 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information are applicable to this site. Employment opportunities at ESPN.com. Visit our lite site if you're having problems with this page. Make it Your Home MSN Home | Hotmail | Search | Shopping | Money | People & Chat ©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Search the Web
The Bucs suck. They need to start rebuilding. Some player said this already, but they are good on paper only. They could get very nice things for Keyshawn, Sapp, Brooks, Abraham, Lynch etc. Probably the entire first round of this year's draft.
the Bucs get whatever they deserve, Dungy was only the best coach that team ever had and they let him go, I wouldnt be suprised if they have to play the whole 2002 season with an interim head coach.
Didn't I read where there was a consideration to play 2002 with Monte Kiffin as Interim Head Coach and then sign Gruden when his Raider contract is up? Sounds like a plan.