Dennis Hickey, the new Director of Player Personnel.

Today the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced several moves within its front office, most notably Dennis Hickey has been promoted to the director of player personnel. In addition to Hickey’s promotion, the Bucs also promoted Mike Greenberg to coordinator of football administration and Tony Kinkela from combine scout to college scout. The team also signed two new scouts, Mike Rees (College) and Tony Hardie (Combine) in addition to adding Rob McCartney as a pro personnel assistant. Obviously the most notable move is the promotion of Dennis Hickey, who started with Tampa the same year as GM Mark Dominik, in 1996.

Both began with the team as pro personnel assistants, Dominik rising through the pro scouting ranks to his current post, which he assumed in 2009.  Hickey paralleled Dominik’s course in the college scouting domain, taking over hiscurrent role as director of college scouting in 2005.  Together, they have helped reshape the Buccaneers roster in the last two-and-a-half years, building a lasting contender primarily through the draft, trades and astute waiver-wire maneuvers.  Hickey’s 16-year tenure with the Buccaneers includes nine winning seasons, four division titles and one Super Bowl championship.

Hickey will continue coordinating the scouting and management of player information, but will serve as the Buccaneers first Director of Player Personnel since Ruston Webster left the team following 2005.

“Dennis’ organizational ability and talent as a player evaluator have been vital to the Buccaneers for the past 15 seasons,” said Dominik. “We are excited that he will continue to be an integral part of our plan in his expanded role, as he exemplifies this organization’s focus and commitment to bringing championships to Tampa Bay.”

These are fairly insignificant seeming moves, but they will have a far greater impact than most fans will ever realize. The Bucs have been predicated on great scouting for the last three years and by moving the men responsible into positions that allow them to have the most impact, the Bucs should continue to draft and develop players with the best teams in football.