It didn't take long for Leslie Frazier to land on his feet.
Less than one week after he was fired by the Minnesota Vikings after three-plus seasons as head coach, Frazier is joining Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Frazier told him he's verbally committed to joining the Buccaneers' staff as defensive coordinator. The Buccaneersconfirmed the move Tuesday. ESPN's Josina Anderson first reported the news.
However, Frazier wasn't the Bucs' first choice. Tampa Bay wanted Cowboys defensive line coach Rod Marinelli to coach the defense, but Dallas wouldn't let him out of his contract, Rapoport reported, per a source with knowledge of the Cowboys' thinking.
Marinelli and Smith have a history of coaching together. Marinelli was the Bucs' defensive line coach from 1996 to 2001, while Smith was the team's linebackers coach from '96 to '00.
Smith's staff in Tampa Bay is slowly coming together. Rapoport reported that a two-year deal for former Cal head coach Jeff Tedford to serve as offensive coordinator was finalized Friday as well. Tedford will be tasked with grooming QB Mike Glennon.
Frazier, 54, began as the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2007 before taking over as the team's head coach in the middle of the 2010 season. He presided over several strong defensive teams in Minnesota and will take over a Bucs roster stacked with talent on the defensive side. Lavonte David, Gerald McCoy and Darrelle Revis are among the league's best players at their respective positions.
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