“My Focus Is On One Thing”
December 21st, 2016
Won’t discuss potential job offers.
Rumors are already flying that Bucs defensive coach Mike Smith is in the running for a head coaching gig next season, specifically Jacksonville.
But you won’t hear that from Smith.
Today in his weekly presser, Smith was twiced asked about his name being included as a possible candidate to fill an opening, but neither time would Smith take the bait.
“Rumors are rampant this time of the year,” Smith said. “I am enjoying my time here. I want to make this team the best it can be. You don’t address rumors. That’s what happens this time of the year.”
Later, when specifically asked if he had any aspirations to return to the head coaching ranks, again, Smith wouldn’t bite.
“Guys, my focus is on one thing: And that is for us to be the best defense we can be,” Smith said. “It has been enlightening for me to get back to coach[ing] and roll my sleeves up.”
So is Smith looking to get another head coaching assignment? Joe would say, yes. Doesn’t mean Smith is going to leave or is already a finalist for a job. Just that he is available to talk.
If Smith had no interest in becoming a head coach again in the NFL, he had two opportunities to shoot down the chatter. Instead, he dodged the questions.
Some may say he plead the fifth.
December 21st, 2016 at 4:15 pm
Has any coach that has ever been considered for a position ever said something besides what coach Smith just said? Yes. –Joe
I mean, I get that he has to say it because he was asked, but this is truly meaningless.
December 21st, 2016 at 4:30 pm
I hope not. Seems happy in tampa. It will only be a good thing if he stays.
December 21st, 2016 at 4:47 pm
i , including alot of fans want to know if pamphile practiced on the other side and did evan smith practice with the starters
what is our backup plan if dot is scratched for saturday or if he does start but cant finish the game
December 21st, 2016 at 4:50 pm
I think Jay Hayes left Cincinnati with the understanding that he would be made Defensive Coordinator if Mike Smith leaves. Koetter had to know that if Smith had success with the Bucs defense he would be an immediate candidate for a head coaching job. I would prefer that we keep Smith, but if he leaves he won’t be bringing any staff with him and I think Hayes is ready to take over the defense. Mike Smith is already a rich man, so I don’t think a little bit more money from the Glazers is going to keep him here if he wants to run his own show.
December 21st, 2016 at 4:50 pm
I could see Smitty staying man,h3ll Wade Phillips stayed in Denver. Any scenario possible.
December 21st, 2016 at 4:52 pm
That grass ain’t greener on the otherside- Chirs Brown
December 21st, 2016 at 5:01 pm
@nole….smitty is no where near as good as wade Phillips….I wouldn’t mind him leaving….hayes may be just as good if not better….maybe more aggressive….lovie left and things got better….I think if smitty left that trend would continue…..GO BUCS!!!!
December 21st, 2016 at 5:39 pm
You’d like to think there was a clear succession plan in place for the likely event that Smith had the chance to go and be a HC again somewhere.
We will probably do our usual and block any position coaches from following him in order to give us some consistency on that side of the ball.
December 21st, 2016 at 5:58 pm
there is 99.9% chance that Jacksonville will hire 2 time super bowel champion Tom Couglin. Whats up with this tmz gibberish?
Dont we have a must win game in a few days?
Who is going to play if dot cant?
December 21st, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Two Things could have happened to Smith. One he could have coached the Buc’s D to another 3-13 season and spent his second year correcting his first. Or Two he could coach the Buc’s D to a 10-6 season and redeemed a head coaching job on one of many needy teams. He is a GOOD head coach and will sooner rather than later leave. He is not Monte Kiffin. Hayes would not miss a beat.
December 21st, 2016 at 6:24 pm
Gimme a break Joe. No coach worth his salt answers coaching questions of a media guy. And no media guy is going make a coach his salt go against what the coach wants anyone to know. Except in media circles, media guys are one step above slip and fall attorneys. Smith, like anyone is going to take a job that matches his personal goals and is at the right price. And part of that is not telling anyone what your personal plan is. Let it rest until after the season.
December 21st, 2016 at 6:36 pm
I am betting that Koetter is making about $4M per year his first time out as head coach. Smith could command about $5.5M as a head coach on his second round given what others with less and more experience make and his own past record. Bowles (Jets) makes $4M, McCarthy (Packers) makes $5M, Rivera (Panthers) makes $6.5M, Belichick makes almost $8M. Will the Bucs pay him up to $4M to stay? He MIGHT make up to 2.5M now, but that is rare for a DC. Will $4M be enough? Doubt it. Are there things in life more important than money? No. Not for a type A coach who already has his health.
December 21st, 2016 at 7:34 pm
I think Mike would rather win a Super Bowl and he believes that he and Dirk can get it done together with this team.
December 21st, 2016 at 8:04 pm
I thought after watching Dak go 32 for 36 and ‘Zeke ripping off 6 & 7 yards per rush, the interest in Mike Smith would have diminished.
December 21st, 2016 at 9:02 pm
BBB
quiet
people here think kwon had a great game with 21 tackles!!! and tandy had 14 tackles!!!
zeke ran over kwon for 160 yards and witten caught 10 passes on kwon.
the 2nd best percentage qb game in the HISTORY of the nfl and a linebacker had a great game???? how can that be when kwon had a great game???? kwon tackled zeke and witten after they ran/caught for 1st downs all around jerrys world….but kwon got the tackle!!!
people are slowww here…sheep!
December 22nd, 2016 at 12:15 am
Welp.
Or is Chucky not worth his salt?
December 22nd, 2016 at 5:57 am
Joe, ’tis the season for some hi-test egg nog and all, but let’s all focus here. WRT your response to my comment about Coach’s salt and link to Gruden’s response…anyone would know what Gruden said would first, only make his price go up if he WERE interested in returning to the sidelines. Second, Gruden is not a coach. He is a former coach who is now another media guy (yikes) and tells a fellow media guy (they all hang out together you know) he doesn’t want to coach! Gruden just has to talk talk talk and talk some more for a living now. So…you can’t compare Mike Smith…an active coach…not wanting to tip his hand on intentions while he’s busy with his current coaching job. Not to mention, all of us non-media guys who actually buy our tickets would rather Mike Smith focus on his playoff run than silly questions. I think we all know he’ll follow the money if it’s enough to dissuade him from staying in paradise. But seriously…why would he tell even the few honest media guys like Joe, what he wants to do?
December 22nd, 2016 at 7:35 am
@Nole,
I think it is recognized that Wade Phillips, like Norv Turner before him, is not HC material. Phillps is a heck of a DC, just as Norv is a brilliant OC, but they have had multiple shots and failed miserably.
I also think Mike Smith WAS on the radar, but the weak D showing in Dallas torpedoed that for now.
December 22nd, 2016 at 10:11 am
oe Says:
December 22nd, 2016 at 12:15 am
Gimme a break Joe. No coach worth his salt answers coaching questions of a media guy.
Welp.
Or is Chucky not worth his salt?
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Chucky ain’t worth a hoot! 🙂