"A pattern may be developing in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' search for a head coach. Though the team is considering candidates who have not been NFL head coaches, it appears to be leaning toward seasoned veterans.

The team has expressed interest in speaking the former NFL head coaches Wade Phillips, Marty Schottenheimer and Brad Childress.

Phillips, the Houston Texans' defensive coordinator and former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has received permission from the Texans to speak to the Bucs.

"We'll talk and see how much interest (Tampa Bay) has in me,'' said Phillips, 64. "I'm torn. I don't want to leave Houston. I love it here. But I'd like to get a chance to be a head coach again.""