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Lovie Smith Expected to Take Over as Coach of Bucs

Posted byBy Curtis Bunn | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

Lovie Smith, who went this season without a job after he was fired by the Chicago Bears after the 2012 season, will be hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN.

Smith would replace Greg Schiano, who was among five NFL coaches fired on Monday. Smith, who led Chicago to the Super Bowl at the height of his reign, will ink a four-year deal, according to sources.There is a fifth-year option for Smith at the team’s control, a source said.

Smith met with the Glazer family Tuesday and was offered the job, according to sources. Talks for a contract extended until Wednesday when a deal was reached in the evening.

Terms of the contract weren’t known, but sources said Smith is expected to make in excess of $5 million a year.

Smith will bring in former Cal coach Jeff Tedford to be his offensive coordinator, a source confirmed. Smith may also bring in Rod Marinelli as his defensive coordinator, according a league source. Leslie Frazer, fired Monday as head coach by the Minnesota Vikings, had been mentioned as a potential defensive coordinator candidate as well, according to a source.

Reportedly the Detroit Lions also were interested in Smith, but he preferred the Bucs job. He has previous ties to the organization having served as an assistant under Tony Dungy.

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