Changes in Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Coaching Staff to be Announced Soon

Buccanners wide receivers coach Richard Mann, a holdover from the Jon Gruden regime, will not be returning to the Buccaneers this season. That much we know. Who, if anyone, will join him on the unemployment line remains to be seen.

We will likely get the answers next Tuesday when Tampa Bay General Manager Mark Dominik meets with the media for the first time this offseason.

Among those who may be in danger, defensive backs coach Joe Baker and defensive line coach Robert Nunn were disciples of the Jim Bates defense. There's conflicting reports whether either will be back.

For Mann, who's contract expires in February and was allowed to begin interviewing for other positions, it ends a long run here in Tampa Bay filled with inconsistency from his receiving corps.

Tim Berbenich, an offensive assistant with the Buccaneers, is believed to be the leading candidate to take over the job, however, former Buccaneers Keenan McCardell and Ike Hilliard have both been seen speaking with Dominik at the East-West Shrine Game practices and are believed to be interested in the gig.

Hilliard began his coaching career last season, serving as the UFL's Florida Tuskers receivers coach.

McCardell doesn't have much coaching on his resume, enrolling last year in the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship, an NFL program that provides minority coaches with the opportunity to work at training camps.

McCardell is serving as receivers coach for Marty Schottenheimer's West squad in the East-West Shrine Game.

Either Hilliard or McCardell could join the Bucs as offensive assistants to replace Berbenich if he indeed is the guy to replace Mann.