Bucs Hire Greg Schiano As Head Coach, Could Cardinals WR Coach Join Him?

by Jess Root on Jan 27, 2012 5:01 AM MST in NFL Offseason/Free Agency

On Thursday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced they hired Rutgers University head coach Greg Schiano to be their next head coach, replacing Rahim Morris. While this normally isn't worth space on the front page of an Arizona Cardinals blog, this time it is.

Why is that?

It would be because the Cardinals' wide receivers coach, John McNulty, has worked closely with Schiano. Before McNulty joined Arizona, he was the offensive coordinator and QBs coach under Schiano at Rutgers from 2004-2008.

Since McNulty is already under contract and a move to Tampa would not be for a head coaching job, if the Bucs were to ask the team permission to speak with him, Arizona would not have to allow it (remember how the Steelers pulled off that move last offseason with the Cards?).

This bridge has not yet been crossed, but if you were Arizona, if Tampa were to come knocking and asking permission, would you allow it? You give a guy a contract so you can have stability on your coaching staff, but at the same time you want to foster the feeling in your staff that you support their growth and having opportunities to advance in the league. What would you do and what would you want if you were McNulty?

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Poll

Would you allow John McNulty to interview with the Bucs if they asked permission?

Yes

82 votes

No

23 votes

105 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Yes

Since our receivers didn’t improve from last season (excluding Fitz) I see John expendable. Two particular miscues that comes to mind is the Stuckey fumble, and the Doucet tumble. Although it might have not been McNulty as fault, they were still his receivers.

by NATIVEWOOD on Jan 27, 2012 6:43 AM MST reply actions

If he did leave...

That could open up that job for Haley, potentially.

When life gives you lemons... Bag them up and sell them. Fruit can be expensive these days.

by hevchv on Jan 27, 2012 12:49 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

I wrote that exact thing on the SBN AZ page

linked it on the front page here.

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by Jess Root on Jan 27, 2012 6:03 PM MST up reply actions

Good organizations

give their people opportunity to grow. Unless McNulty is our succession plan at OC, you have to give him the chance to advance in his coaching career. Plus I really like his name, reminds me of The Wire

by cardinalbrown on Jan 27, 2012 7:45 AM MST reply actions

Yes

Can’t be selfish. It’s not like the guy just wants to bail; a guy he’s close with just got a HC job and if there’s an opportunity to advance with someone he’s close with, you shouldn’t stand in the way unless he’s such a part of your succession plan that it upsets your whole coaching strategy.

Besides, you don’t want someone disgruntled working for you, because they likely won’t end up giving you their best after that anyway (just human nature to underperform if you’re dissatisfied).

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 27, 2012 12:02 PM MST reply actions