Schiano introduced as Bucs head coach

Greg Schiano made it clear Friday he was not in a hurry to become a NFL coach. He is now head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers simply because he felt the opportunity finally was right.

"I've had some other opportunities before, but this one just felt right,'' Schiano said during an introductory news conference at One Buc Place that drew several Bucs players, past and present.

Former Bucs great Mike Alstott sat in the front row to hear the new coach's introduction while quarterback Josh Freeman, running back LeGarrette Blount and safety Cody Grimm took seats in the back row of the team's auditorium.

What everyone heard was a coach who vowed to instill discipline and structure into a team coming off a 4-12 season and with a 62-82 record since it won the Super Bowl in 2003.

"Our team will be built around a humble, unselfish attitude of sacrifice,'' said Schiano, who left Rutgers after 11 seasons to join the Bucs. "It's hard to find that in today's world, but that's who we'll be.''

The Bucs will also be a defensive-oriented team that tries to win the kicking game and use a power running attack to set up downfield strikes in the passing game, Schiano said.

But he is out to win more than just games.

In addition to rebuilding the Buccaneers into a lasting contender, Schiano also must help the Bucs reconnect with a fan base that has dwindled in recent years.

"We've got to reconnect with our fan base,'' Schiano said. "This Buccaneers football team will earn your trust on the football field and earn your trust in the community."

Schiano was introduced a day after he agreed to terms on a five-year contract.

He left the Scarlet Knights after posting a 68-67 record, but was 56-33 with five bowl victories the last seven years.

"Today, we begin a new chapter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and we are extremely excited about that new chapter,'' Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer said. "(Schiano) is a man of high character and work ethic and he's a family man."

"He's a man of stability."