Penn State reportedly to 'make a strong push' for Buccaneers' Greg Schiano

Will Greg Schiano return to the college ranks and coach Penn State next season? (Todd Kirkland/Icon SMI) Whether or not the Buccaneers opt to fire Greg

Will Greg Schiano return to the college ranks and coach Penn State next season? (Todd Kirkland/Icon SMI)

Whether or not the Buccaneers opt to fire Greg Schiano on the NFL's Black Monday, they still may need to find a new head coach before the 2014 season. That's because Penn State is ready to "make a strong push" for Schiano if current coach Bill O'Brien accepts an NFL job,  according to the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

ESPN reported Saturday that the Texans and O'Brien were closing in on a deal for O'Brien to fill Gary Kubiak's vacated shoes as Houston's head coach. However, 247Sports countered that thought: Current Penn State commit Thomas Holley told the site O'Brien "said he isn't going. It's not true."

Schiano's perceived status has changed on almost a game-to-game basis this season. The Buccaneers started 0-8 only to win four of their next five, with rookie quarterback Mike Glennon showing ample promise. Since then, Tampa Bay has dropped three of four to fall to 4-11.

BLACK MONDAY TRACKER: Updates on latest firings, rumors

Cornerback Darrelle Revis told ESPN.com this week that the Buccaneers "do need to change some things this offseason as we move forward as players and as coaches and figure things out and try to turn the win-loss column to more wins." Revis did not specify what changes he had in mind -- or if that suggestion pertained to Schiano's role.

Schiano, of course, came to the Buccaneers from the college ranks prior to last season. He had been Rutgers' head coach from 2001 to '11.

FARRAR: The best candidates for potential Black Monday teams