"Perhaps Bucs fans haven't seen the last of their team's plan to hire a first-time head coach.

Having spent the early phase of their search primarily meeting candidates with previous NFL head coaching experience, the Bucs on Friday received permission to interview Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

The Bucs did not announce when the interviews will happen.

Zimmer, 55, interviewed for the Dolphins' coaching position earlier this week while Chudzinski, 43, interviewed with the Rams and Jaguars before those jobs went to Jeff Fisher and Mike Mularkey, respectively.

Since firing Raheem Morris on Jan. 2, the Bucs had focused on Mike Sherman (former Packers coach), Brad Childress (Vikings) and Marty Schottenheimer (Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers). Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips (Broncos, Bills and Cowboys) had been scheduled to talk to the Bucs on Friday but withdrew his name from consideration Thursday.

Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, 47, was the first candidate to interview with the Bucs and also has no previous head coaching experience."