Many Tampa Bay fans are waiting for the plug to be pulled on Greg Schiano. The head coach has struggled since he became the leader of the Buccaneers and after a drama filled start to the 2013 season, it seems only matter of time before he is released. Despite all of the rumors flying around, Greg Schiano told the team they are stuck with him for at least the remainder of the season.
CBSSports.com reports that Schiano met with team officials on Friday to discuss the future of the Buccaneers. NFL Insider reports that after the meeting, Schiano told the team in the locker room that he will remain the head coach of Tampa Bay.
This news comes at a bit of a surprise considering what has occurred in Tampa Bay this season. Schiano's year started out with drama surrounding former quarterback Josh Freeman. The head coach was first accused of tampering with the captain's vote and then was accused of leaking confidential drug information, creating a smear campaign against Freeman. Things have only gotten worse as a MRSA outbreak and winless start to the year continues to plague the team.
As "Fire Schiano" billboards begin popping up all over Tampa Bay, several players are coming to the defense of their head coach. Safety Dashon Goldson told the Tampa Bay Times that Schiano still has the respect of the locker room.
"I have high respect for this coach," said Goldson. "He's taken a lot of scrutiny off the field. These are tough times. We understand that. He has a job to do, and we do as players. We just try to do the best we can to prepare every week and win a football game. He hasn't lost the locker room."
Schiano, of course, echoed those thoughts, telling reports that he has not lost the locker room and still has all of the players following his lead despite remaining winless on the year.
"Have I lost the locker room? No," Schiano said. "Are (the players) listening? Yes. Are we getting everything we need out of them? Obviously not, because we're 0-7. Ultimately, we've got 61 guys in that locker room that I believe in, and I very strongly feel they believe in me. Does belief get tested when you're not having success? Yes, I'm sure it gets tested both ways when someone misses a play. At the end of the day, these guys are busting their guts to do it."
Schiano may have the respect of the players, but Darrelle Revis notes that players are beginning to lose confidence in the head coach as the losses begin to mount. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy downplayed that idea, noting that it is not his job to call the plays. He simply does what he is told as the veteran notes he does not get paid to make judgment calls.
Schiano is on the hot seat no matter how everyone plays this up. Time will tell just how hot that seat gets.