NFL | Jon Gruden, Bruce Allen gone in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. — A Super Bowl title bought Jon Gruden time, but ultimately couldn't save his job.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dismissed their fiery coach and general manager Bruce Allen on Friday, three weeks after the team completed one of the biggest collapses in NFL history, losing four straight games after a 9-3 start to miss the playoffs.

As quickly as Gruden was out the door, up-and-coming assistant Raheem Morris was poised to move his wares to the head coach's office. Named defensive coordinator on Christmas Day, multiple media outlets reported Friday that the 32-year-old Morris will jump straight from position coach to become the youngest head coach in the NFL.

Mark Dominik, Tampa Bay's director of pro personnel, will be promoted to general manager.

Gruden was a rising star when he was hired seven years ago to get a team built by Tony Dungy to the Super Bowl. But Gruden only guided the Bucs to the postseason twice after becoming the youngest coach to win the NFL title in January 2003.

That wasn't nearly enough for the sons of owner Malcolm Glazer, who took their time before deciding they had seen enough of aging quarterbacks, mediocre drafts and a coach and general manager who often pinned the blame for poor finishes on injuries.

Gruden, 39 when the Bucs beat Oakland in the Super Bowl, went 60-57 in seven seasons, including a 3-2 mark in the playoffs. Allen was general manager for the past five seasons in a reunion of a relationship that began with the Raiders.

"Jon and Bruce are consummate professionals. They've poured their heart and soul into this franchise," Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said.

The Bucs were tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December, but finished with losses to Carolina and Atlanta on the road and San Diego and Oakland at home, where they had been 6-0. One more win would have landed a NFC wild-card berth.

The 9-7 record this season gave Gruden consecutive winning records for the first time since arriving in Tampa Bay, yet still left the Bucs out of the playoffs for the fourth time in six years and prompted the Glazer family to reevaluate the direction of the franchise.

Notes

• The Dallas Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Brian Stewart after two seasons, the first big coaching move after the team limped to the finish line and missed the playoffs again. More moves may come soon. Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett remained among the finalists for the St. Louis Rams' head-coaching job.

• Jim Schwartz was introduced as the Detroit Lions coach after agreeing to a four-year deal worth about $11 million. "There's no better feeling in football than turning a situation around," said Schwartz, formerly the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator. "That's what drives me here."

• The San Diego Chargers appear to be bracing their fans for the possibility that LaDainian Tomlinson's eight-year run with the team could be over. According to the team's Web site, club president Dean Spanos called the star running back to discuss reports the Chargers might part with Tomlinson, who has been slowed by injuries the past two postseasons and will count $8.8 million against the salary cap next season.