Former coach Raheem Morris has released a statement in the wake of his dismissal from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday morning:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Glazer family for the opportunity they gave me to be the Head Coach of the Buccaneers. I was honored and blessed to have spent the majority of my coaching career with the same (class) organization. I grew up with the Bucs and I was fortunate enough to be part of a Super Bowl victory there. I wish the Glazers, the management, players, staff and most importantly, the fans nothing but the greatest success in the future.
Morris tallied a 17-31 record in three seasons as the Bucs' head coach. His team ended the 2011 season on a nine-game losing streak to finish 4-12 and in last place in the NFC South. Though Morris has been a defensive-oriented assistant throughout his coaching career--he served as the Bucs' defensive backs coach for two seasons prior to taking over as head coach--his Buccaneers ranked dead last in the NFL in points per game, yielding 30.9 per contest in 2011.
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