"As head coach of the West team for Saturday's East-West Shrine college all-star game, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress hasn't had much time this week to think about the Buccaneers' head coaching search.

Even if he did, Childress wouldn't be frustrated by the methodical pace of the search. He has known since his interview for the job a week ago that it would be a while before the Bucs reached a decision.

"They advertised their process,'' Childress said. "They were completely candid and accurate in what they said, and they said it would be a while. So, I'm not bothered by that.''

Nor is the one-time Eagles offensive coordinator bothered by the possibility of having to put together a staff of assistants a month or more into an offseason in which several other teams are building new staffs, as well.

"You do have to get out there and get to work on it right away,'' Childress said. "But like (Eagles coach) Andy (Reid) used to tell me, you want to go out and get your guys.''

The Bucs are more than three weeks into their search for a head coach to replace Raheem Morris, who was fired on Jan. 2 after the team lost its last 10 games to finish 4-12.

In addition to Childress, Tampa Bay has interviewed former NFL head coaches Mike Sherman and Marty Schottenheimer as well as Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

The team also sought permission to speak to Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, Packers general manager Ted Thompson said.

Thompson was unsure when Philbin and Clements would interview with the Bucs, but several media reports said Philbin was visiting with the team on Thursday after meeting with the Dolphins on Wednesday.

Thompson said he didn't want to lose Philbin or Clements, but he understands why teams are interested in them and believes both are capable of being good head coaches."