Tampa Bay Is Sticking With Williamson

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, turned down by Bill Walsh and turned off by Buddy Ryan, ended their coaching search where it began--with Richard Williamson.

Hugh Culverhouse, the Buccaneers’ owner, named Williamson as the Tampa Bay coach Monday, ending a two-month search for Ray Perkins’ successor.

When Perkins was fired on Dec. 3, Williamson was named interim coach for the Buccaneers’ final three games. He was considered the longshot in the field as Culverhouse searched for a big name.

In choosing Williamson, 49, the Buccaneers passed over Ryan, former Philadelphia coach; Bill Belichick, New York Giants’ defensive coordinator, and Gary Stevens, an assistant with the Miami Dolphins. Walsh, a former San Francisco 49ers coach, chose to remain with NBC as a broadcaster.