Jeff Jagodzinski fired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator

TAMPA — The first sign of problems with Jeff Jagodzinski came early in training camp.

Trying to simulate game conditions, the Bucs' offensive coordinator studied his play sheet and radioed the plays to quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, who transmitted them to quarterback Byron Leftwich.

At times, the communication was too slow, resulting in delay of game penalties. Too often, Jagodzinski would look at the down and distance and determine on which hash mark the ball was spotted but reverse the formation. Or there would be only a partial play-call. Olson, offensive line coach Pete Mangurian or Leftwich would try to fix the mistake before the snap count.

Jagodzinski took the advice of coach Raheem Morris and others and called plays from the coaches' box above the field, hoping that getting him away from the distraction of the sideline would help.

But a simulation at Raymond James Stadium before the Bucs' first preseason game wasn't much better. To be fair, Morris believed Jagodzinski deserved a few preseason games to prove he was up to the task.

He wasn't.

Morris and general manager Mark Dominik met late into Wednesday night about Jagodzinski, the former Boston College head coach. When he arrived at One Buc Place at about 8 a.m. Thursday, they called him into Morris' office and relieved him of his duties.

The decision came just 10 days before the Bucs host the Cowboys in the regular-season opener.

"We're at the point now where we need to be more precise, more detailed," Morris said. "We need to have more direction to where we're going to go, and we just don't have it right now. That's about as detailed as I can get on it."

Olson, 46, takes over while also remaining quarterbacks coach. He wanted to interview for the offensive coordinator job in January. But the Bucs declined, in part, because he already was under contract.

Jagodzinski, 45, declined an opportunity to remain on the staff as quarterbacks coach. He was unavailable for comment but released a statement through the team.

"I am certainly disappointed, but I wish nothing but the best for Raheem Morris and the entire Buccaneer organization," Jagodzinski said. "I was given the chance to remain on staff as the quarterbacks coach but felt that the timing for such a move was not in the best interest for either side. I appreciate the opportunity that was given to me. Again, I wish nothing but the best for this organization."

It's the second job Jagod­zinski has lost since January. He was fired a few days after being warned by Boston College athletic department officials that it would happen if he interviewed for the Jets' head coaching job.

Jagodzinski will be paid for the two years on his contract. He and his wife, Lisa, recently moved into a $1.2 million South Tampa home.

The Bucs entered Thursday 31st in average passing yards in the preseason with 154.7. Their 4.7 yards per passing attempt were last as was their 23.2 percent of passes resulting in first downs.

Morris said the Bucs will run the same zone-blocking scheme but the passing game will change.

"We're talking about … having vertical balls downfield," Morris said.

"And it's not a knock on Jeff Jagodzinski. A lot of the things will remain the same. This offense was going in the right direction. But now we have to finish it off with some of the other guys."

Before coming to the Bucs, Jagodzinski had limited experience as a play-caller. As the Packers' offensive coordinator, head coach Mike McCarthy made most of the play selections. At Boston College, he relied on former East Carolina coach (and current Bucs running backs coach) Steve Logan as offensive coordinator.

Morris disputed speculation that Jagodzinski disagreed with starting Leftwich over Luke McCown.

"We all came to a common accord last week," Morris said.

And there was no apparent rift with any member of the coaching staff. Players were informed of the change Thursday morning.

In the end, Morris said he and Dominik might have paid too much attention to Jagod­zinski's resume in an effort to assemble the best coaching staff.

"When you go back and look at the staff when you hired them, you try to hire the best staff you can hire," Morris said. "You want to put the 'Dream Team' together. It didn't work out. So now you have to make a decision.

"I think Jags might be a better head coach or a better position coach."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.