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Former Buccaneers Assistant Open To Possible Return

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By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2009

TAMPA - Being one of the key components in the first NFL team to go 0-16 hasn't dampened former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Joe Barry's confidence.

"When I took the Detroit job 23 months ago I was a good coach,'' said Barry, who was fired nine days ago from his job as the Lions defensive coordinator. "And while my record might indicate otherwise, 23 months later I'm a better coach than I was when I got there.''

It seems Barry may not be the only one who believes that. Though he hasn't been called for a formal interview, Barry remains a rather hot commodity.

"I have some irons in the fire,'' Barry said. "I've talked to half a dozen teams. I haven't had an interview with anybody, but I'm hopeful. Right now I'm just going to let the dust settle for a week or two and then see what the best fit for me and my family might be.''

Barry, who coached Bucs linebackers from 2001 to 2006, doesn't hide his belief that the best fit could be here in Tampa Bay.

"If Tampa was the place and I was able to come back, I would love it,'' he said. "I think the world of the Glazers, and Tampa and the fans here. We still have a home here and I would cherish the opportunity to come back. But like I said; I haven't interviewed here or anything – not even close.''

One reason Barry hasn't been interviewed for the Bucs linebackers coach's job is because the Bucs still have a linebackers coach. At least technically.

Casey "Gus'' Bradley still is under contract with Tampa Bay and has expressed an interest in returning, but there's a chance the Seattle Seahawks will lure him away by asking him to become their new defensive coordinator. Bradley spent most of Tuesday interviewing for that job.

At the same time, Bucs defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was returning from a visit with the Broncos, who are interested in possibly making him their new head coach.

Morris's name has also surfaced as a possible candidate for the head coach's job with the St. Louis Rams, but it appears the Rams are only kicking the tires at this point.

According to Morris's agent, Brian Levy, the Rams still have not set up a formal interview with Morris and are simply doing their due diligence on Morris while checking around for references.

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

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