Hiring Koetter? No Brainer
January 15th, 2016
Proven quarterback guru.
Yes, hiring offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter as the new Bucs head coach seems like the difficult decision Joe has on a hot July day when there is cold beer being poured.
Koetter’s work with America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, is proof he should have replaced Lovie Smith.
Mike DiRocco of BSPN believes it is deeper than that for Team Glazer to ink Koetter as the 11th Bucs coach.
It shouldn’t be a surprise, though, because Koetter has earned a reputation as a coach who gets the most out of his quarterbacks. He was Matt Ryan’s offensive coordinator for three seasons in Atlanta, and Ryan posted three of the top four yardage totals and completion percentages of his career.
From 2012 to 2014, Ryan averaged 4,643 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with Koetter calling plays. Ryan set franchise records in passing yards (4,719), completion percentage (68.6, which also led the NFL), and passing touchdowns (32) in his first season with Koetter. Ryan made the Pro Bowl twice in those three seasons.
In Ryan’s five seasons without Koetter, he averaged 3,766 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
As Joe wrote earlier, the next few years are all about Jameis. The franchise is all about Jameis.
That’s why Joe is confident the Bucs won’t go all defense this offseason. Have to build around the franchise.
January 15th, 2016 at 1:43 pm
Check ,,,,,,,,,,,coach hired…. On to draft talk
January 15th, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Build around the franchise all you want. But you better make sure the defense is not giving up more points a game like they have been. How did that turn out?
January 15th, 2016 at 1:52 pm
Beat those drums into wins. The natives are restless. Go head coach Koetter!
January 15th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Well, this is as close to continuity the organization could have. A losing record next season should absolutely not be acceptable to Bucs fans. There is absolutely no reason the Bucs should do worse than 9-7.
January 15th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
I rarely am totally convinced of most anything Bucs…..but in the case of Koetter, I was convinced the minute we heard that Licht would do the search and hiring that Koetter had already been chosen. The Glazers were simply not going to give up that authority to anyone….now, I’m not saying that Licht didn’t recommend Koetter…he probably did.
I found it amusing how much speculation there was about other coaches….it was fun to watch…
January 15th, 2016 at 1:56 pm
It really did take no brain to hire him. It’s like the bucs didnt even try to look for anyone else. Perhaps they were that much sold on him from day 1. Like what was mentioned in other posts, there are probably other better options, and more worthy Head coach candidates. But this was the easy no effort hire. Didnt have to sell anything, just offer him a bag of cash and move him to the big office.
This wont go down as a “bad” hire, like lovie and schiano were. But it doesnt feel like a big win to me. It was the safe no thinking just do it hiring.
I totally support dirk, he is the guy everyone needs to rally around and i hope him all the success in the world. But i think the bucs were lazy with their coach search. Hope Koetter proves me wrong and turns out to be the head coach this team needed all along.
January 15th, 2016 at 1:58 pm
His first year has good results and then trending downwards until he moved to another team. Not a good indication!! Hope he breaks that cycle.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Dirk hired Mike Smith?
January 15th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Ian Rapport reporting it is Mike Smith as DC.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:02 pm
Also with koetter already being a guy they know and think highly of, he has to be the coach you keep in the long term. You can’t fire him after 2 years. Regardless of wins or losses. He is the guy you fired lovie for to be the head coach. He has to make it through all 5 years of his head coach deal. If koetter gets fired before his contract is up, then this team will be in a world of pain. The fans, media, everyone is screaming to find the guy who you will let build the team and stay for the long term. If they screw this up, the owners are already on thin ice and sinking… it might be the last straw for a lot of bucs fans.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Wow…he’s crying in his press conference.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:10 pm
NOOO Mike Smith as DC
January 15th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Mike Smith is DC
January 15th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Mike Smith new DC!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
I agree with you but that’s what everyone was saying two years ago. You know, when the Bucs hired Lovie Smith after firing Schiano who was only here two years.
Clearly you’re not from the north. You can’t be on thin ice and sinking. 🙂
The Buccaneers are 58-102 over the past 10 years. The ice broke years ago.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:14 pm
Inside sources tell me that “The Kevin” has changed his mind about Mike Smith.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:16 pm
“The Buccaneers are 58-102 over the past 10 years. The ice broke years ago.”
D-Rome…correct and some of us are just numb from the freezing cold water.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:16 pm
I have to say I am more impressed by him hearing how emotional and happy he is. I think he will do good, the new Brady Bela-cheat team.
Except for the Mike Smith DC, I think he could have done better there, but this might help Dirk since he has head coaching exp and they are friends, Dirk could lean on him more than other DC’s.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
koetter and smith reunited!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Welcome Mike Smith!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Love it!!!…we got the new Dick Vermeil LOL
January 15th, 2016 at 2:20 pm
M.Smith… Meh
January 15th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
still no oc named!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:21 pm
Mike Smith is officially the new DC. That was not a difficult call. The move will make Dirk’s transition exponentially easier and faster. The top two guys know the NFC South and Smith already has a a base knowledge of our personnel. Dirk said he’s gonna remain the playcaller, which I’m not certain would be possible if Dirk had to oversee the defense. The wildcard of course is whether Smith can return to his Jax form. Fingers crossed!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
“D-Rome Says:
January 15th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
I agree with you but that’s what everyone was saying two years ago. You know, when the Bucs hired Lovie Smith after firing Schiano who was only here two years.”
Didn’t you want Schiano fired after 19 games?
January 15th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
At least Koetter isn’t naming any of his kids to the staff……
January 15th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
The emotion I saw from coach Koetter in his PC was awesome. This guy loves football and I know he will give everything he has with this opportunity. Coach said he hopes the fans are with him well I’m here to tell you coach I’m here with ya and I’m not going anywhere. Congratulations Dirk Koetter you are going to do great things sir.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:28 pm
Great….Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter reunited. Cue Peaches & Herb. Never mind, that’s before most of your time.
Remind me again how many playoff victories and Super Bowl’s they’ve been a part of?
January 15th, 2016 at 2:29 pm
I preferred Smith over Schwartz, though I don’t expect to be top 10 defense more than a couple times with him.
The primary advantage is Mike Smith having been a successful head coach will help Koetter make the transition.
We now know who the OC will be too. Or at least have a good suspicion.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:29 pm
I’m not excited about the Mike Smith hiring.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
D-Rome Says
“Remind me again how many playoff victories and Super Bowl’s they’ve been a part of?”
Off hand, I know Koetter got multiple games into the playoffs. Mike Smith got in the playoffs as well.
However…given your choice of words, does this mean you are the first to start hating on the new coaches?
January 15th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Smith is better than Schwartz.
When Frazier was hired, people here said I was wrong for speaking against him. I didn’t like that hire at all.
With Mike Smith, although I have a few doubts, I think he’s the best choice of the two candidates.
I’m behind the hire 100%.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
It’s all about continuity for Jameis. It was the right move. The defensive coach is a good decision also. Someone DK knows and trusts. This way he can keep much of his focus on JW and the offense. I trust JL judgement…isn’t he the guy who chose the Cardinals coach? There you go! GO BUCS…can’t wait for the next season!!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Dirk just said the first thing he did after telling his family he got the job was call Jameis. He said Jameis and he were really really happy. He had a huge smile when he said it. He also was pumped about Mike Smith. I’m psyched! We are going to win!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Calling JW after his family says a lot!! I love that!
January 15th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
D-Rome
Great….Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter reunited. Cue Peaches & Herb. Never mind, that’s before most of your time.
You know how to hurt a guy. I played that song on the radio back in the 70’s…along with another P&H hit..”Shake Your Groove Thing”.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:46 pm
I’m feeling good about both choices. Both are solid coaches with PROFESSIONAL
experience.
I think coaches are overrated as the ingredient to winning. They are absolutely important because they can get in the way and ruin a good thing.
But we don’t need the “best” coach…we need the coach that can get it done.
Now that we have perhaps the best young franchise QB in the league…a decent OL in front of him…some key pieces on defense….I think Licht..Koetter and Smith will be able to do a good job.
Remember..again…Bill Belicheat was a losing coach until he drafted Brady.
Koetter gets a huge head start…got his QB and has worked with him for a year already.
January 15th, 2016 at 2:58 pm
“BuccaneerBonzai Says:
January 15th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
However…given your choice of words, does this mean you are the first to start hating on the new coaches?”
The way I see it, people get mad when “their” guy gets the ax. D-Rome wanted Schiano gone after 19 games. YET, YET, he has been complaining that Lovie didn’t get enough time, and blaming the Glazers for firing coaches too early. Seems like it’s too early only if you like the guy.
So, now, that their guy is gone, they ride the new guy hard. Haven’t we seen this before, like when Freeman was canned The Freeman loyalists then had an ax to grind with whoever came after him.
Can’t we just be fans of the team, and not get our panties bunched up when a specific coach or player gets cut?
GO BUCS!
January 15th, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Amen Love and Warrick. Amen.
January 15th, 2016 at 3:20 pm
No, I was just ribbing some of you guys to be honest. I hope Koetter and Mike Smith prove to be the start of a very good staff. I just hope that trickles down all the way to the position coaches. This organization needs to have the best football people they can acquire.