Closely connected

The Seahawks and Buccaneers are about as geographically far apart as possible, but their personnel connections make the 2,500-mile gap seem a lot shorter. Four coaches, one player and one administrative staffer have a combined 26 years of work for Tampa Bay, and then there’s seven other Seahawks who grew up in Florida.

Take a look at all the ties:

• Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was an assistant coach for Tampa Bay in 2006-08.
• Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates spent three seasons (2002-04) as an assistant coach for the Buccaneers.
• Wide receivers coach Kippy Brown was a Tampa Bay assistant for one season in 1995.
• Offensive line coach Art Valero spent six seasons (2002-07) as an assistant for the Buccaneers.
• Linebacker Matt McCoy spent the previous two seasons with the Buccaneers before signing with the Seahawks in March.
• Vice president of football administration John Idzik worked in various administrative capacities for 11 seasons (1993-2003) with the Buccaneers.
• Wideout Mike Williams was born and raised in Tampa, and starred as a two-sport standout at Plant High.
• Tailback Leon Washington grew up in Jacksonville and attended Florida State.
• Defensive lineman Colin Cole grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
• Cornerback Kennard Cox was raised in Miami.
• Cornerback Kelly Jennings grew up in Live Oak, Fla., before attending Miami.
• Kicker Olindo Mare hails from Cooper City, Fla.
• Offensive line coach Pat Ruel was raised in Coral Gables, Fla., and attended Miami.