Ever go shopping for something really nice, then realize you can get two of the same instead? Well in something similar, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have finalized their 2011 coaching staff by hiring two Defensive line coaches!
Keith Millard and Grady Stretz will be Co-Defensive line coaches, with Millard specializing in the pass rushing department.
Millard, a long time Viking pass rush specialist, will specialize in the pass rush, and has spent 13 seasons coaching, including three seasons with the Denver Broncos (2002-04) as Assistant Defensive Line Coach/Pass Rush Specialist, and most recently, four seasons with the Oakland Raiders (2005-08) as their Defensive Line Coach. Prior to that, he spent one season in the XFL and five seasons on the collegiate level.
While with the Raiders, Millard helped Derrick Burgess to two Pro Bowls, including his 2005 season in which he led the NFL in sacks with 16. In 2007, Millard coached two defensive linemen who ranked among the AFC’s top-10 in sacks (Burgess and Chris Clemons). Millard also helped the Raiders rank third in the NFL in total defense and first against the pass in 2006 while coaching Warren Sapp, who led all defensive tackles in sacks with 10.
As a member of the Broncos coaching staff, he helped the team to two top-five finishes in total defense (2002 and 2004) and also coached a pass rush unit that finished fourth in the NFL in sacks by a defensive line in 2004, as they were the only team to have three players with at least 8.5 sacks (Bertrand Berry, Trevor Pryce and Reggie Hayward).
A former NFL first round draft pick in 1984 by the Minnesota Vikings, Millard also brings a wealth of first-hand on-field experience to Tampa Bay. During his outstanding nine-year career (1985-93), he earned three All-Pro nods, two Pro Bowl invitations, two NFL Defensive Lineman of the Year awards and one NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, as he was also named to the NFL 1980’s All-Decade team. He also still holds the record for the most sacks in a single season by a defensive tackle with 18 in 1989. Millard began his pro career in the USFL, playing one season with the Jacksonville Bulls and ranking second in the league in sacks (12) behind Reggie White (12.5).
Stretz, who will specialize in the running game, comes to Tampa Bay after spending the previous five seasons as the Defensive Line coach at Arizona State University. This past season, he helped the Sun Devils rank 16th nationally and first in the Pacific-10 in rush defense (119.7 ypg) and eighth nationally and second in the Pacific-10 in tackles for loss, averaging 7.4 a game.
Prior to Arizona State, Stretz spent eight years at the University of New Mexico, where he coached the defensive line (1998-02), safeties (2003-05) and special teams units (2003-05). During his time with the Lobos, he helped them become one of only three schools to finish in the top-30 in the nation in total defense in six of the previous seven seasons.
Stretz’s coaching career began at UCLA, where he spent two seasons (1996-97) after playing in four seasons with the Bruins. As a four-year letter winner at UCLA, he was a member of the 1993 Rose Bowl team that finished the season ranked 17th nationally. During his senior year (1995), Stretz earned honorable mention All-Pacific-10 Conference accolades at defensive tackle. He also had the distinction of being named CBS Player of the Game versus Washington State, earning the Chevrolet Scholarship Award. Stretz culminated his final campaign at Westwood by winning the N.N. Sugarman Trophy for Best Leadership on the squad. Following his UCLA playing career, Stretz spent some time in camp with the New York Giants, where he signed on as a rookie free agent in 1996.
Pettaway joins the Buccaneers after spending the last two seasons as a defensive assistant, beginning with one season at the University of Tennessee and then last season with USC. That experience followed a 2008 season where he coached Christopher Newport’s defensive line, helping the Captains achieve their first unbeaten USA South conference record and qualify for the NCAA Division III playoffs. Pettaway also has spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers during Training Camp. Before joining CNU, Pettaway coached linebackers at Division II Fort Valley State University in Georgia, where he worked on his master’s degree. Pettaway played at St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C. where he was the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year for the Falcons in 2005.
BUCCANEERS 2011 COACHING STAFF
Raheem Morris Head Coach
Greg Olson Offensive Coordinator
Dwayne Stukes Special Teams Coordinator
Joe Baker Linebackers Coach
Tim Berbenich Assistant Wide Receivers Coach
Tim Holt Offensive Assistant Coach
Jay Kaiser Assistant to the Head Coach
Chris Keenan Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Jimmy Lake Defensive Backs Coach
Steve Logan Running Backs Coach
Pat Morris Offensive Line Coach
Keith Millard Defensive Line Coach
Tyrone Pettaway Defensive Quality Control Coach
Alfredo Roberts Tight Ends Coach
Kurtis Shultz Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Byron Storer Assistant Special Teams Coach
Grady Stretz Defensive Line Coach
Alex Van Pelt Quarterbacks Coach
Eric Yarber Wide Receivers Coach
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