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.