Of course the thing all Bucs fans will take from this first is that is may serve as an omen to who the Bucs will draft come April. Tigers cornerback Morris Claiborne is high on Tampa’s list and that’s no secret.

Now have confirmation from #LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette that Tigers DB coach Ron Cooper is leaving for a job with the Tampa Bay Bucs.

— Randy Rosetta (@RandyRosetta) February 23, 2012

So is it a coincidence that the Galzer’s have now hired the guy who coached Claiborne up on what was arguably one of the best defenses in all of college football last year?

If nothing else it’s yet another great hire for the Bucs who may have drug their feet in the head coaching search, but have rebounded brilliantly in hiring supporting characters. Greg Schiano’s latest edition to his staff keeps in tone the balance of college and professional coaches filling up his staff.

In a week the Bucs have gone nuts on assistant and coordinator hires with former NFL greats like Bryan Cox and Earnest Byner joining established NFL coaches like Mike Sullivan and college coaches like the ones Schiano brought over with him from Rutgers.

Cooper took over as the Tigers defensive backs coach in 2009 which means — if the Bucs go with Claiborne — Cooper will continue to be the coach of one of the most touted cornerbacks in this year’s draft.

A lot of the anxiety surrounding the upheaval and removal of the previous staff was that it would stunt continuity and therefore stunt growth among the young players in Tampa.

Having Cooper continue to coach Claiborne is the very definition of continuity and the success the LSU Tigers had in their secondary last year is going to be gladly welcomed in Tampa.

July 29, 2008; Hempstead, NY, USA: New York Jets linebacker Vernon Gholston

The Dolphins had a very good defense last season. Despite their record they were a top 10 unit and their front seven was excellent. Cox was not let go because of performance issues, he was not retained because of a regime change. That works out brilliantly for the Buccaneers because now they get a dynamic young coach with a fiery streak.

Make no mistake about it though, Cox isn’t fiery in the Raheem Morris way. He doesn’t care if you like him, he cares that you do your job better. That’s exactly what the Buccaneers need.

There is talent on the Buccaneers defense, plenty of it. Now it just needs to mature and materialize. Players need to work on a better professional work ethic, better practice habits and just generally become more complete NFL players. That’s why the Bucs hired Greg Schiano, a task-master head coach who is very program-oriented.

Bryan Cox fits into that same mold.

A lot of people wanted to make a big deal out of Bill Sheridan coming aboard as D-Coordinator, that wasn’t a big deal. He’s going to have a role coaching this team but his title is deceptive in that he’s arguably the third in command of that Buccaneers defense.

Bryan Cox though is a fantastic hire, he’ll work one-on-one with linebackers and defensive ends, schooling them on technique (specifically with regard to pass-rushing). I can’t say enough good things about him, he’s going to make this defense a meaner, more disciplined unit.

That’s exactly what the Bucs need.

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