Buccaneers linebackers coach Joe Barry is a candidate to become the Tennessee Volunteers' new defensive coordinator, according to several published reports.

The Volunteers are looking to replace Monte Kiffin, who left Tennessee with his son Lane to work for USC a few weeks ago. New Volunteeers head coach Derek Dooley has reportedly contacted Barry about the opportunity.

"I really didn't know coach Dooley from the Man in the Moon until he called,'' Barry told the St. Petersburg Times. "But he said he really liked what Monte did on defense there at Tennessee and wanted to continue it. He said through all his research, my name was the one that kept coming up.''

Barry re-joined the Bucs last year after a two-year stint as the defensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions. He originally joined the Bucs in 2001.

Even if he's officially offered the job, there's a chance the Buccaneers would not allow Barry to leave for Tennessee since he still is under contract with the team.

"Of course, I'm very interested,'' Barry told the Times. "Yes, it's college football. But you're talking about the chance to be a defensive coordinator at a big-time program like Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference. It would be a good opportunity. We'll see what happens.''

Bucs head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik are in the process of attempting to hire a new wide receivers coach and a new quarterbacks coach. They hope to fill both roles before heading to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. next week.

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