Buccaneers Hire Former Falcons HC Mike Smith As Defensive Coordinator

Update:

The Buccaneers have already announced that Mike Smith will, in fact, be their next defensive coordinator.

BREAKING: Mike Smith will be the Bucs’ next defensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/IKIeZ917Rt

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 15, 2016

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media is reporting that the Buccaneers are expected to hire former Falcons HC Mike Smith as their new defensive coordinator.

Rapoport adds that Smith had several options to be a defensive coordinator, but felt the Buccaneers were the best fit for him.

Smith actually interviewed for the Dolphins and Giants’ head-coaching vacancies, but they elected to go in different directions and bring in offensive-minded coaches.

Smith, 56, spent seven years as the Falcons’ head coach and led them to a record of 66-46 (58.9 percent) to go along with four playoff appearances.

The Buccaneers’ defense didn’t show much improvement in 2015, and was reportedly one of the reasons why they elected to fire HC Lovie Smith, so it will be interesting to see what Smith can do with the opportunity if does, in fact, get the job.