What Lured Todd Monken?
February 1st, 2016
Bucs new OC discusses why he bolted Southern Miss.
In the grand scheme of things, it is still a bit odd how Todd Monken, a star in the college football coaching ranks, blew out of Hattiesburg, Miss. to become the Bucs’ offensive coordinator just days before college national signing day.
Monken, a gifted offensive coordinator with successful stops up the coaching ladder with the Jags, LSU and Oklahoma State, seemed on the verge of getting a gig with a power-five conference when he landed on Dirk Koetter’s doorstep at One Buc Palace.
The previous three seasons, Monken turned around a winless Southern Miss program into a nine-win bowl team, and appeared to have a loaded roster for a run at a 10-win season this fall, or better.
Now a cynic would say the NCAA must be sniffing around Southern Miss, sort of like the way Pete Carroll escaped the NCAA bloodhounds on his way out of USC to the Seahawks.
But Monken said his decision was simple. He likes how the Bucs are building what he thinks is a lasting winner.
“Yes, [talent] made a big difference,” Monken said. “This is a game about talent. It starts with having talent. You’ve got to have talent, you’ve got to have people in position to draft talent. So my belief in the last couple of drafts and [General Manager] Jason [Licht] and their group in terms of what they’ve done over the last couple of years, my belief in Coach Koetter and Coach [Mike] Smith and the staff that’s been assembled – all of that is a big part of it.”
When Monken was asked if America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, was part of that talent group, he openly chuckled. Sometimes, the reaction is better than a verbal answer.
Joe chatted with Monken after his press conference and sort of asked what Joe spelled out above: One good season away from going somewhere in college, so why blow that up for an offensive coordinator gig with a 6-10 team that hasn’t won a playoff game in 13 years?
Monken seemed flattered with Joe’s contention that he was an up-and-coming coach and stated that as transient as the coaching profession is, passing up a good opportunity, no matter the level, is one you’re likely to regret it.
He added that at age 50 (his birthday is Friday), he guesses he’s only got 10 more years to coach and the NFL is where many coaches strive to reach.
February 1st, 2016 at 9:28 am
College and the NFL are obviously different.
I can see why he might wish to make the leap and you touched on it Joe when you mentioned “signing day”.
I would hate to have to travel all over helll’s half acre in pursuit of high school kids to play at my program. They and worst of all in many cases, their parents all have inflated perceptions of their abilities. They have been told for a couple of years just how great they are.
And as one funny football coach said…who likes to have their career dependent on a bunch of college kids in gym shorts a couple years removed from high school.
Recruiting would send me to the NFL in a heartbeat!
February 1st, 2016 at 9:32 am
Can he teach Mike Clayton Evans to squeeze a football and fight for a contested pass once in a while without throwing a fit to the officials??
I know, it’s like asking a man to work a minor miracle but miracles do happen. Incompetent Lovie Smith plopped down on the legendary basement couch as we speak after just two dreadful years is proof!
I believe in miracles.
February 1st, 2016 at 9:42 am
From the audio , could not tell if he said
“mo Money” or ” no lovie”
both are valid reasons though!!!!
February 1st, 2016 at 9:50 am
Laquon Treadwell bc playmakers will be in high demand in this offense.
February 1st, 2016 at 9:53 am
I believe that Montgen’s assessment of Licht ,koetter, and Smith is spot on.
The glazers now have a structure similar to the best in buc history.Drafts have been great. It is good to see the level of talent being improved through the draft.Now a more careful assessment of free agent talent will be needed.
February 1st, 2016 at 9:53 am
I really like this guy. I hope he can get #13’s head on straight.
February 1st, 2016 at 9:53 am
He took the money is what he did, but made a stupid career move IMHO.
If Tampa succeeds, he will get little credit, because Koetter calls all the plays.
But whatever, I am glad we have him, he is a very good coach!
February 1st, 2016 at 10:12 am
1) He’s on the national stage now, a far cry from Southern Miss.
2) Recruiting is enormously stressful on a college coach, especially for a smaller school.
3) Unsure of contract but it’s most likely fatter.
4) He’s working for and with proven talent.
5) Little risk. He’ll always find work at the collegiate level.
Good luck Coach.
February 1st, 2016 at 10:26 am
It’s not that hard to figure out really. Look what riding Tom Brady’s (jock) wagon did for Charlie Weis and Josh McDaniels. Having a good QB can be very good for your career and these guys see a great opportunity in Jameis.
February 1st, 2016 at 10:33 am
The Buc Realist Says:
February 1st, 2016 at 9:42 am
“From the audio , could not tell if he said
“mo Money” or ” no lovie”
both are valid reasons though!!!!”
Easy now saying “no Lovie” these days on JBF might land you a race card. Especially don’t put the word incompetent before his name. That’s an instant race card.
February 1st, 2016 at 11:40 am
87
Are you familiar with the term “projection”.
Nobody brought up the race card until YOU did!!! Yes it has been brought up inappropriately in the past by people making stupid posts.
But it was you today. You are now guilty of what you decry!!!
February 1st, 2016 at 11:54 am
I’m sure there are many reasons but I really don’t care why. He’s our OC now and, hopefully with all the lofty expectations, he can help turn this thing around.
WR whisperer!
February 1st, 2016 at 1:15 pm
college is also incredibly cyclical. look at USF. for a couple years they were in the national conversation and had NFL caliber players all over their defence. then all of a sudden some kids graduate and you are a doormat. seems like the practical thing to do in coaching is to go for the step up when it materializes
February 1st, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Yeah keep calling Lovie incompetent on every comment you make. And when the Bucs become revelant then maybe you will realize the competence he did have which is how he set up all the major pieces we currently have……. But of course you will never realize this and you’ll refuse to give the man a speck of credit. No matter how small.
When we become revelant you will blindly cheer with the rest of us never realizing that franchise are not built overnight……. Or realize that the pieces needed to built them are not magically set there out of thin air.
Thank You Lovie for doing your part to get this team headed in the right direction.
February 1st, 2016 at 3:42 pm
I recognize lovie contributions to the team!! Thank you lovie for being so bad and giving the team extremely high draft picks!!!!
February 1st, 2016 at 5:39 pm
Realist
Not that I disagree with your post because that is true…he did give us the draft picks including the #1 that gave us JW. Love him for that!
But I’m curious as to how Licht ended up here. If that was his move…he gets credit for that.
Same for Koetter..wonder how much was Lovie and how much was Licht and how much might have been Glazer pressure to get somebody to protect their #1 draft pick and the biggest investment on this team.
IMHO we’ll never know the total truth to these questions.
February 1st, 2016 at 5:59 pm
@stpetebucsfan
I am happy that lovie 4th choice in OC finally worked out. And from all accounts Licht just ran most of the draft!!! So its just a partial picture??? But don’t act like lovie is the only one who knows how to hire a GM and OC!!! Starting know we actually get to see what they can do!! Its now their show!!
February 3rd, 2016 at 11:39 am
I wish I remember the author, for the 4th season in row the Bucs are the champs of the off season.
I will say from now till Licht is gone. He is not an honorable man and a lie cannot stand.