TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally landed the high-profile coach they coveted Monday, prying Jon Gruden away from the Oakland Raiders and signing him to a five-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed for Gruden, who will be introduced at a news conference on Wednesday. ESPN reported Gruden will receive $17.5 million, or $3.5 million per year.
The 38-year-old Gruden had a 40-28 record in four seasons at Oakland and took the Raiders to the AFC championship game a year ago. The Raiders won the AFC West this past season before being eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
The Bucs last month tried to hire Gruden, who had one year left on his contract with the Raiders. But they were unable to put a compensation package to the liking of Oakland owner Al Davis. The two sides finally worked out a deal and details of the compensation will be announced on Wednesday.
The ESPN report said the Raiders will receive first- and second-round picks in 2002, a first-round pick in 2003 and a second-round pick in 2004. The Raiders will not receive any cash or players.
"We were determined not to let outside pressures derail us from our goal, which was to find the best person to coach the Buccaneers," Bucs vice president Bryan Glazer said. "Our fans deserve nothing less.
"That person is Jon Gruden, the finest young mind in the game. We took our time and got the man we really wanted, and we couldn't be more thrilled. This was one of the most important decisions in the history of the franchise."
The Bucs also were jilted by Bill Parcells, talked to Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis and last weekend met with San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci.
Mariucci decided to remain in the Bay Area, but Gruden instead will head east and replace Tony Dungy, who was fired last month.
The hiring of Gruden concludes a bizarre and often embarrassing search for a coach thar brought out disputes within the organization.
After first failing to land Gruden, general manager Rich McKay recommended Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis for the job.
But McKay's pursuit of Lewis was rejected by ownership.
Last week, the Bucs talked to Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen.
The Bucs made the playoffs four of the last five seasons on the strength of a strong defense led by defensive tackle Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks and safety John Lynch.
Gruden is an offensive specialist, and is a perfect fit to improve a unit that never ranked higher than 21st under Dungy, despite the additions of receiver Keyshawn Johnson and quarterback Brad Johnson over the past two seasons.
The youngest coach in the NFL, Gruden came to the Raiders in 1998 after three seasons as offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dungy was 54-42 in six seasons as Bucs coach, but was unable to win a conference championship and was fired following a wild card playoff loss to Philadelphia.
