Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Sherman Reportedly Front Runner for Coaching Vacancy

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are enduring a number of changes after a pitiful season, but it is believed they have found their new man. 

Mike Sherman is the favorite to replace Raheem Morris as Buccaneers head coach, and the decision could become official later this week, according to what league sources are sharing with Jason La Canfora of NFL.com.

Sherman was previously the head coach for the Texas A&M Aggies from 2008-2011.

Since 2000, Sherman has also been the head coach of the Green Bay Packers (2000-2005) and worked with the Houston Texas as assistant head coach in 2006  and offensive coordinator in 2007.

The report states that Tampa Bay is enticed by Sherman's coaching history, which ranges in various positions at the college and NFL level. 

Sherman went 57-39 while head coach of the Packers, and he'd be inheriting a Buccaneers team with some good skill players. 

Plus, Tampa Bay has the No. 5 pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL draft, meaning Sherman would have a lot to work with. 

There were high expectations for Sherman and the Aggies this past season, but the team went 6-6 with a number of second-half meltdowns. 

Oddly enough, the Buccaneers fired their coach after he failed to meet the high expectations, but mainly because the team lost 10 straight games to finish out the year.

Tampa Bay is one of the better jobs out there, but playing in the NFC South is no joke. With Cam Newton on the rise in Carolina, the Panthers can now compete, too. Every team in the division is a tough match-up.

At the age of 57, Sherman would be one of the older coaches in the league, but his knowledge of the game should help Tampa Bay to be better than 4-12.

Of course, Tampa Bay is exploring many options, and a league source told La Canfora that Wade Phillips is also likely to interview for the job. 

The Buccaneers are gambling by going after much older coaches, but it's clear their focus is on guys with lots of experience, which was an area that Morris lacked.