The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced a series of changes and additions to the team’s front office and player personnel staff, headlined by the promotion of Dennis Hickey to the role of director of player personnel. The Bucs have not had a director of player personnel since Ruston Webster last held that title in 2005 prior to leaving for Seattle to become the Seahawks' vice president of player personnel.

Hickey, who has been with the Buccaneers since the 1996 season when he was hired to be a pro personnel assistant, has served as a college scout for the Midwest states for seven years before becoming Tampa Bay's director of college scouting in 2006.

“Dennis’ organizational ability and talent as a player evaluator have been vital to the Buccaneers for the past 15 seasons,” said Bucs G.M. Mark Dominik. “We are excited that he will continue to be an integral part of our plan in his expanded role, as he exemplifies this organization’s focus and commitment to bringing championships to Tampa Bay.”

Hickey has been the point man for the Bucs' draft success under Dominik over the past three seasons as Tampa Bay has selected a franchise quarterback in Josh Freeman (first round, 2009), an emerging star wide receiver in Mike Williams (fourth round, 2010) and the makings of a potentially dominant defensive line with the selections of defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price (first and second rounds, 2010) and defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers (first and second rounds, 2011). Tampa Bay has made an impressive turnaround from a 3-13 season in 2009 to a 10-6 record in 2010 largely due to the infusion of talent acquired through the drafts over from 2009-10.

Hickey has also been instrumental in helping find some undrafted free agent gems, such as Pro Bowl kick returner Clifton Smith (2008) and 1,000-yard rusher LeGarrette Blount (2010).

In addition to Hickey's promotion, the Bucs have also promoted several others of their player personnel staff to different positions. Mike Greenberg, who was previously a pro personnel assistant under Shelton Quarles, will now serve as coordinator of football administration and deal with contract negotiations. Former Bucs combine scout Tony Kinkela will now serve as one of Tampa Bay’s college scouts.

The Buccaneers also announced three new additions to the personnel staff. Bill Rees, Dominik's mentor and former colleague with the Kansas City Chiefs, who has worked with Tampa Bay as an outside personnel consultant on the draft the last two years, has been hired as a college scout. Tony Hardie, who formerly worked with Rees at Northwestern University, will now serve as the Bucs' new combine scout. Also, Rob McCartney, who recently was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ player personnel department, has joined the Bucs as a pro personnel assistant.