The Bucs appear to have lost their first choice for quarterbacks coach, with Mike Mularkey nearing an agreement tonight to become the Falcons' offensive coordinator.

But we've pinpointed the man who appears to be next in line: Rams assistant Greg Olson.

Olson was most recently the Rams' offensive coordinator but was going to be demoted. He confirmed to us tonight that he interviewed with the Bucs for the quarterbacks job and said he was awaiting word on a decision.

Mularkey was thought to have the inside track at the position earlier in the week. But with Mularkey having now made a decision on his future, the path is cleared for Olson to be named.

Reached by phone tonight, Olson said he was offered a chance to stay in St. Louis in a diminished role, but he seemed intent on moving on.

"I don’t know that I want to do that," he said of remaining in St. Louis.

Olson coached quarterback Jeff Garcia during his stints in San Francisco and Detroit and remains close to him. In Olson's one season as quarterbacks coach in San Francisco in 2001, Garcia posted a career-high 32 touchdown passes. Olson mentioned he had spoken with Garcia today. They surely weren't talking about the weather. This could be a done deal real soon.