Buccaneers Land Offensive-Minded Gruden

Deal Is For 5 Years, $17.5 Million

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally have a head coach. All it took was a pair of first-round picks, two second-rounders and $25.5 million.

The Bucs have hired Jon Gruden away from the Oakland Raiders, where he was 40-28 in four seasons as head coach. Gruden accepted a five-year contract, according to the Buccaneers. ESPN.com reports the deal is worth $17.5 million.

The Raiders say they are getting $8 million as part of the compensation package for losing Gruden with a year left in his contract. The Raiders also receive a first and second-round pick in this year's draft, a first-rounder next year and a second-round choice in 2004.

Tampa Bay appeared to be scrambling to find a head coach after their top candidate, Bill Parcells, turned down the Buccaneers' offer last month. After that, the team failed to reach a deal with Gruden, who until Monday was thought to be out of the running.

The team then turned down Baltimore defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis last week, and the Buccaneers came up short in their attempt last weekend to lure Steve Mariucci away from the San Francisco 49ers.

Gruden, believed to be settled in Oakland, had turned down an offer for the head-coaching position at Notre Dame last month, saying he wanted to stay with the Raiders.

Gruden replaces Tony Dungy, who was fired Jan. 14.

The 38-year-old Gruden, the NFL's youngest head coach, led the team to the AFC title game a year ago.

Copyright 2002 by WESH.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.