ESPN reports, Former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith has reached an agreement to become the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Smith will replace the fired coach Greg Schiano on a four-year deal, with an option for a fifth, according to sources.
Terms of the contract weren’t known, but sources said Smith is expected to make in excess of $5 million a year.
Sources say Smith will bring in former Cal coach Jeff Tedford to be his offensive coordinator, and may also bring in Rod Marinelli as his defensive coordinator.
Recently fired Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier had been mentioned as a potential defensive coordinator candidate as well, according to a source.
The Detroit Lions were also interested in Smith, but he preferred the Bucs job. He has previous ties to the organization having served as an assistant under Tony Dungy.
Dungy, now an NFL analyst for NBC, took to Twitter to praise the move.
