Buccaneers Head Coaching Rumors

Update

The Buccaneers completed a formal interview with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for their head coaching job, per Rick Stroud.

• Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Buccaneers has and will consider all available options when it comes to their head-coaching position including Alabama HC Nick Saban.
• Meanwhile, Ian Rapoport points out that the Glazer family had interest in Saban back in 2012 after he just won a national title. With the Buccaneers’ job available, Rapoport expects them to at least consider the idea of pursuing Saban.

As of now, Koetter is still considered the favorite for the job, but they’re meeting with other head-coaching options as well.

The Buccaneers have reportedly interviewed Panthers DC Sean McDermott and Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin  for the job with  former Falcons HC Mike Smith also coming up as an option.

We’ll have more regarding potential candidates as the news is available.

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Jason Cole of B/R reports that there is still a “strong belief” around the NFL that the Buccaneers will ultimately hire OC Dirk Koetter as their next head coach.

In fact, Cole’s sources even believe that a deal has already been agreed to.

The Buccaneers reportedly want to maintain their offensive continuity with first-year QB Jameis Winston and Koetter, who put together a decent season.

According to Cole, there are questions about the team’s ownership, given that it seems strange that they have yet to hire Koetter when many have said he’s the clear favorite for the job. Coaches around the league find it strange that they’re looking around at other options.

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Panthers DC Sean McDermott interviewed with the Buccaneers on Saturday for their head coaching vacancy, according to Rick Stroud.

• Even though many have said that Buccaneers OC Dirk Koetter is the guy to watch for their head-coaching vacancy, Rick Stroud writes Koetter shouldn’t be considered the “prohibitive favorite.”

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Jason La Canfora would be “very surprised” if former Falcons HC Mike Smith does not emerge as a strong head coach candidate for the Buccaneers.

• According to Josina Anderson, the Buccaneers will interview Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin for their head coaching vacancy on Friday.
• Peter Schrager of FOX Sports reports that the Buccaneers will interview McDermott this weekend.
• Schrager mentions that McDermott has a previous relationship with Buccaneers GM Jason Licht when they both worked in Philadelphia.

All indications are that OC Dirk Koetter remains the guy to watch for the job, but at least they’re expanding their search some to include other candidates.

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Chris Mortensen reports that there were actually “whispers” that the Buccaneers were considering firing HC Lovie Smith after his first year, due to ownership being upset by the team’s performance in light of liberal spending in free agency.

Mortensen reiterates that OC Dirk Koetter is a guy to watch for the Bucs’ job, and cites his work with QBs such as David Garrard, Matt Ryan and Jameis Winston as the main reason why he’s an attractive option.

Sources tell Mortensen that Koetter is actually “upset” with the Bucs decision to fire Smith.
While Mortensen believes it’s possible the Bucs could hire someone outside of the organization, Koetter still appears to be top candidate.

According to Mortensen, Chip Kelly is not expected to be a strong candidate for the Buccaneers, even though they previously expressed interest in him.

• Buccaneers GM Jason Licht confirmed that OC Dirk Koetter is a “very strong” candidate for the Buccaneers’ head-coaching job, but added that there has already been lots of interest from good coaches, per Greg Auman.
• Licht pointed to the fact that Koetter has a good resume while helping them achieve “historically best offense we’ve had here.” (Greg Auman)
• According to Pro Football Talk, while there has been a lot of talk that OC Dirk Koetter is a top candidate, there’s still a chance that big-name candidate could “express interest and change everything.“
• Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Buccaneers OC Dirk Koetter is quickly emerging as a top candidate for the head coaching job.
• Tampa Bay is still expected to go through the interview process with other candidates, but all eyes remains on Koetter, according to Rapoport.

We’ll have more regarding potential candidates as the news is available.

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Rick Stroud confirms that OC Dirk Koetter will be a candidate for the Buccaneers’ head coaching vacancy.

• Former Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik Tampa Bay to name Koetter the team’s next head coach within the week.
• Dominik adds that the Buccaneers could still bring in a few others candidates, but it sounds like Koetter could be the early favorite for the job.
• Matt Miller is hearing that Buccaneers’ players would prefer Koetter to be the team’s next head coach.

Jason La Canfora expects the Buccaneers’ job to be coveted, due to some of the pieces they have in place in regards to their roster. La Canfora can see them looking for a “dynamic voice” to lead them into the future.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk offers some names to keep an eye on for the Buccaneers’ job including:  Jaguars assistant HC Doug Marrone, Tom Coughlin, Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, Chip Kelly, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren among others.

The Buccaneers surprising fired HC Lovie Smith after just two seasons in Tampa Bay. In the statement released by Co-Chairman Joel Glazer, the Buccaneers plan to have GM Jason Licht oversee the search for the team’s next head coach.