Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is "close" to accepting the head coaching job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Though several outlets have reported he has accepted the job, as of noon negotiations between Schiano and the Buccaneers were ongoing, according to a person familiar with the situation.



The person requested anonymity because nothing has been finalized yet.



Schiano canceled his planned trip today to the funeral of Penn State coach Joe Paterno to negotiate with Tampa Bay.

Calls placed to Schiano and Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti by The Star-Ledger were not immediately returned.



If he leaves after 11 seasons at Rutgers, he will do so at the height of recruiting, and after getting commitments from one of the best classes in school history. Those commitments from 17 players are non-binding, however, until national letter of intent signing day next Wednesday.



Schiano has previously turned down offers from Miami and Michigan to coach — changing his mind on the latter four years ago after originally agreeing to accept the job.



Greg Schiano leaves Rutgers University football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24 Gallery: Greg Schiano leaves Rutgers University football for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

An ESPN report indicates the two sides are finalizing contract details after they met Wednesday for the second time since the Buccaneers fired Irvington native Raheem Morris as head coach following a 4-12 season.

Bill Rees, the Buccaneers college scout ESPN cited as reaching out to the Rutgers coach, worked with Schiano during his tenure as an assistant with the Chicago Bears from 1996-98.

Mike Sherman, the former Green Bay Packers coach, also interviewed twice for the Buccaneers' vacancy after the club offered the job to Oregon coach Chip Kelly, who could not reach a contract agreement with Tampa Bay and decided to stay with Oregon.

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Earlier this month, two people with knowledge of Schiano's thinking said the coach, 45, had no interest in returning to the NFL.

ESPN, however, has also reported that Schiano interviewed for the St. Louis Rams head coaching vacancy. The Rams hired Jeff Fisher.

Schiano has breathed life into a Rutgers program that was once one of the least successful in Division 1 college football. Overall, he is 68-67 at the school, but has won five of six bowl games, including the Pinstripe Bowl last month in Yankee Stadium.

His contract with Rutgers runs through 2016 and pays Schiano roughly $2.3 million per year.

Rutgers players expressed disbelief on Twitter on news of Schiano's possible departure filtered out.

Eric LeGrand, who was paralyzed during a game on Oct. 16, 2010, and shares a close relationship with Schiano tweeted: "Really? Not going to lie I am a bit shocked right now."

Chas Dodd, who will be competing for Rutgers' starting quarterback job beginning this spring, tweeted, "What!!!!!! #speechless."

Tom Luicci: tluicci@starledger.com