TAMPA — Former Rams coach Scott Linehan has emerged as a strong candidate to become the Bucs offensive coordinator after turning down the same position with the 49ers to pursue other opportunities.
The Bucs are seeking an offensive coordinator after releasing Bill Muir and five other staff members on Sunday.
In addition to the Bucs, Linehan, 45, could be a candidate to join the Jets if Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is hired as coach.
"I'm going to have to move sometime,'' Linehan told the Associated Press. "I've got to find a spot here sooner or later. I'm trying to figure out what's the best situation for the Linehans."
Bucs coach Raheem Morris spent his second day on the job making decisions on his staff. In addition to Muir, the Bucs also fired strength coach Mike Morris, assistant offensive line coach George Yarno, offensive assistant Jay Gruden and defensive quality control coaches Ejiro Evero and Johnny Cox.
The hiring of an offensive coordinator is considered the most important decision that has to be made by Morris, whose expertise is defense. Linehan was an offensive coordinator with the Vikings (2002-04) and Dolphins (2005).
In Minnesota, his offense ranked second (2002), first ('03) and fourth in the NFL. He was fired in the third season of a four-year contract as Rams coach after starting 2008 at 0-4. He was 11-25 with St. Louis.
Muir, who served under fired coach Jon Gruden for all seven seasons, was responsible for developing the second-youngest line in the NFL anchored by Pro Bowl guard Davin Joseph. But the Bucs did not produce a 100-yard rusher in a game after Warrick Dunn did it Oct. 12 against Carolina.
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