Tampa Bay Buccaneers Make Two Exciting Coaching Hires

It took more than a couple of tries, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finally hired an offensive coordinator. After being blocked by several teams from interviewing position coaches, the New York Giants allowed the Bucs to speak with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan.

The meeting must have went swimmingly, as ESPN is reporting that Sullivan has indeed been hired to head up the Bucs offense in 2012.

Sullivan has worked with Giants quarterback Eli Manning as his quarterback coach for the past two seasons, and before that, served as wide receivers coach in New York. He is largely credited for further developing Manning's game and helping him limit his turnovers in 2011.

The Buccaneers surely hope that Sullivan can coax the same development out of Josh Freeman.

In other news, the Bucs have also brought in former University of North Carolina head coach Butch Davis as "senior defensive assistant." Davis will have a non-coaching role with the team. This seems to be a ploy so Davis can still claim the salary he is owed from UNC. He is slated to receive $590,000 for the next three years if he doesn't accept another coaching position.

Davis will be reunited with new Buccaneer head coach Greg Schiano. Schiano served as Davis' defensive coordinator when he was the head coach at the University of Miami.

Now, the only role remaining to be filled in Tampa is the defensive coordinator position. Obviously, Davis will have to work closely with this individual, and it's unclear as to how much input he will have in the selection of the new DC.

These two hires are welcome news for many Bucs fans, who were quickly becoming distraught with the inactivity while premier candidates were being hired by other teams throughout the NFL.