The Bucs are in the process of working to bring Butch Davis aboard in Tampa Bay, but he's expected to take an advisory role.

A report by Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com said Davis will be a senior defensive assistant. But the Times learned a deal was not complete Thursday night.

Tampa Bay hired Jimmy Raye as a senior offensive assistant earlier this week, according to multiple reports.

It's uncertain what duties Davis will have with the Bucs, but it doesn't appear as though he will be a member of the coaching staff and the team still could  hire a defensive coordinator. 

The Bucs have been pursuing defensive coordinators. Florida's Dan Quinn interviewed with the Bucs last weekend and was offered the position but decided to remain with the Gators.

Davis, 60, has been on the wish list of new head coach Greg Schiano. Davis, the former Cleveland Browns, Carolina Tar Heels and Miami Hurricanes head coach would be an asset to a defensive staff that could be comprised of many former college assistants. 

Like many coaches on the Bucs' staff, Davis has a history with Schiano, who was his defensive coordinator for two seasons with the Hurricanes before he took over the program at Rutgers.

The key is that Davis has a wealth of head coaching experience at the NFL and college level. Davis, 60, followed former Hurricanes coach Jimmy Johnson to the Dallas Cowboys, where he coached the defensive line from 1989-92 and was defensive coordinator from 1993-94, winning two Super Bowls in the process.

Davis would figure to be a key piece for the Bucs. Tampa Bay's defense finished ranked 30th in the NFL last season, allowing 30.9 points and 394.4 yards per game. In fact, the 494 points allowed by the Bucs in 2011 set a franchise record for futility.