Money Will Talk For Mike Smith
December 13th, 2016
New job next month?
There’s already plenty of national buzz for Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith getting a head coaching job in 2017. It’s came from many angles yesterday.
If Team Glazer doesn’t like it, then Team Glazer knows what to do.
Joe realizes Dirk Koetter won’t stand in the way of his close friend Smith getting a new top job somewhere else. And surely, the Bucs hired Smith as defensive coordinator in January with some sort of backup plan for 2017.
Eleven months ago, Smith was interviewed by the Dolphins and the highly-respected Giants organization for their head coaching vacancies. Smith didn’t get a job and decided to write a book and work in the league office with officials.
For those who forgot what a wild success Smith was as head coach in Atlanta, he took a team in shambles after the Michael Vick mess and brought the 2008 Falcons, with rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, to a Wild Card berth and an 11-5 record. Smith went on to win for five consecutive seasons and reached the NFC title game after the 2012 season.
Coaches with that kind of resumé get second cracks at the head coaching apple.
Before this season, Joe wrote numerous times that a huge 2016 story would be whether Smith stays in Tampa next year and the Bucs’ approach to retaining or replacing him.
However, Joe is not writing Smith off completely. Team Glazer likely is the X-factor.
Money talks and Team Glazer can always make an executive decision to grossly overpay Smith to keep him.
Hell, it happens with players all the time. Why not coaches?
In the spring, everyone paying attention knew Vincent Jackson wasn’t worth a $10 million salary this season, but the Bucs kept Jackson on the roster because they felt his big-picture value was there.
Yeah, it’s too easy for Joe to throw around Team Glazer’s loot, but it’s also easy to see Smith leaving isn’t good for the franchise.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:32 am
The Jags is a good job. No amount of money should keep Smith away from it. Conversely the Rams are in shambles and Smith should strongly consider not taking that job if offered.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:36 am
The Glazers have seen how winning attracts the fans to Ray Jay. They’ll be fools if they don’t throw as much money as they can at Smith. But if he wants to be a head coach again, that might matter more than the money.
I really, really, really hope he stays. My optimism for next season will be shot if he leaves.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:38 am
I don’t believe Jacksonville to be a suitor. If jacksonville doesn’t hire an offensive coach, there’ll be a mutiny in J’ville.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:39 am
I don’t think money will keep him here. He’s too motivated to stay as a DC. He has higher aspirations. He’s only 57. He has a lot of HC years left under his belt.
I still think Jay Hayes is and has been the backup plan.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:39 am
Assistant Head Coach…Pay him like a head coach.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:43 am
The Jags need someone to fix (or replace) Bortles. When you fire a defensive guy like Bradley, then you hire an offensive guy.
The Rams will never hire a low-profile guy like Mike Smith. Plus, they too need offense.
The Bills will not replace Ryan with a defensive guy. (Same logic as Jags.)
The Niners and Bears will probably hold onto to Kelly and Fox.
Chargers, Bengals and Colts would be a definite maybe if they make changes. Those would be the three most likely landing spots, I think.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:43 am
If Smith leaves, let Hayes takeover. We should keep all the other coaches too. It would be awesome to continue playing the same defensive scheme.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:47 am
If Jags comes after M. Smith, Glazers loot won’t matter, because the owner of the Jags doesn’t mind paying, look what he did in free agency, he is going to want results. There may be three jobs out there, Rams, Jets and possibly the Bills (from what I am hearing), but my sources aren’t as good as Ira or the Joes
December 13th, 2016 at 8:56 am
NewTampaChris Says:
December 13th, 2016 at 8:43 am
The Rams will never hire a low-profile guy like Mike Smith. Plus, they too need offense.
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I’ll take the maybe go in an offensive direction argument, but Smith was one game away from the Super Bowl and has won “Coach of the Year.” Not quite a low-profile guy.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:58 am
At some point in life money becomes irrelevant. When you’re sitting on 30 million in retirement and you have a job paying you multi millions the difference between making 5 million and 3 million is not really enough to change lifestyles.
Really you get down to how many Gulfstream jets you can rent and how many empty homes you can call yours.
I do not mind folks trying to maximize their income but at some point it becomes simple greed. Might as well call it what it is.
Money will not be a major concern for Mike Smith. He’s already FABULOUSLY WEALTHY!!! He’s probably worth more than all of our posters combined.
Meanwhile embrace success. This is now an solid ORGANIZATION. No ONE person should determine the future. I concede that at this point in time #3 is irreplaceable but in a couple of years we should have a group of talent,,,coaches, players, administrators that works like NE. Yeah it would be killer trying to replace #3 but if the entire team and group is solid we’ll be ok.
I simply hope Smitty ends up in a spot with a real chance and not Cleveland.
I’m not sure LA wouldn’t be a good opportunity for him unless they are already set on staying in house…can’t imagine why with their performance. That team has talent and if they get the right QB they could become good….oh and yeah the right coach. Who would you rather have? Koetter or Lovie? Smitty or Jeff Fisher?
December 13th, 2016 at 9:03 am
Also, the Jags problems aren’t going to necessarily be fixed by hiring an offensive minded head coach. They can have a great defensive minded coach that can recognize that he may need to “NOT HIRE GREG FREAKING OLSON AS HIS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR!!!!”
How does this guy keep getting work? How many terrible boring offenses does this guy need to run before the NFL realizes he blows. The 2010 Bucs were a fluke so no one give me that one magic year in 2010 when we beat all of the losing teams on our easiest schedule and got blown out by every team with a winning record. Smith is smart enough to pick a good OC, like Koetter, he will thrive on a team that allegedly needs an “offensive minded coach.”
I just think the Rams really really really really suck (can’t believe they beat us, but that was a different team.) Goff sucks, their OL sucks, they have no receivers. You are starting from scratch with no draft picks in LA. Hopefully he stays away from that mess.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:07 am
So fire Koetter and install Mike Smith as head coach, then rehire Koetter as offensive coordinator, I’m sure he’ll be cool with that. Problem solved.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:10 am
need to win atleast 1 game in the playoffs for smith to get any noise because being a defensive coordinator HC is not whats hot in the nfl. its all about the HC/franchise QB relationship
however
Mike Smith beating Dal at jerrys world on primetime for all to see…..would be great for his resume during interviews
December 13th, 2016 at 9:15 am
I cant go through this amount of emotion and elation over actually seeing a good team on the field, just to see Mike Smith go and have no idea how we are going to do next year…
December 13th, 2016 at 9:20 am
StPete
Gordon and I beg to differ. Greed is good.
https://youtu.be/VVxYOQS6ggk
December 13th, 2016 at 9:24 am
At least with the Bucs, Coach Smith has some longevity. New Head coaches rarely stay in place more than two or three years. I think Koetter and Smith are having fun together and see what this team can become. If things keep going well over the next few games, I can totally see the Glazers showing Smith the money. Stay here, get paid and win a couple championships. Then wait for a really good coaching job to open up and take it. I think there is a good chance Coach Smith may stick around.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:26 am
@J2
I see your point but I didn’t say Smith wasn’t a good head coach. He is definitely low-profile, in terms of helping to sell tickets through sheer force of personality.
Kroenke will be looking for more in L.A. He’ll be looking for someone like the super-hot college guy (think Chip Kelly three years ago … a run at Nick Saban?) or the past Super Bowl winner. (Do you think that both Shanahan and Coughlin have already called?)
Jim Schwartz will compete for any job that Smith will go for, though Smith had more success and is less of a nut. Still, that nut factor may work for L.A.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:34 am
tmaxcon Says:
December 13th, 2016 at 9:20 am
StPete
Gordon and I beg to differ. Greed is good.
https://youtu.be/VVxYOQS6ggk
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You are an imbecile.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:35 am
orlbucfan
Thank you…
December 13th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Grossly overpay is our only option, Joe?
How about making the whole situation legit and have Smith legally bound to remain our coach through the term of his contract…
All we have to do is name him Asst Head Coach like we did with Monte and then pay him accordingly.
Quite simple, really.
How is that simple? And why would Smith agree? He’ll have to be overpaid in order to stay, if he’s looking at a head coaching offer.-Joe
December 13th, 2016 at 10:13 am
So here’s another reason the NFL is suffering from ratings. The coach turnover, with the good coaches. The job hopping. In the old days, a coordinator would be somewhere for 5 or 6 seasons if they did an admirable job. The idea that Mike fricking Smith would get hired away because his defense looked alright for five games late in the year is asinine and insane — though I know that is the new reality. This indirectly hurts the quality of football which effects ratings.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:15 am
Mike Smith would be smart to stay put right where he is. Don’t mess with a good thing. Atlanta let him go for good reason. He’s on a small roll here and not out of the woods by any means. Bucs have not yet won one playoff game.
Some of these head coaching jobs are straight up traps. Once caught up in one, you are college HC bound.
December 13th, 2016 at 11:00 am
Pay the man
December 13th, 2016 at 11:34 am
I do agree that we should pay whatever necessary to keep this team (family) together.
December 13th, 2016 at 11:40 am
Our pass rush is really helping mike smiths D flourish. Im not concerned Jay Hayes will take over seamlessly if Smith goes. I am glad smith turned it atound though as I was one of the ones calling for his head 7 weeks ago
December 13th, 2016 at 11:49 am
I understand it, but it’s still funny to me that we’re talking about this guy walking. I know he has HC experience and that alone might land him a gig, but, what does his 2016 resume read? We’ve played 13 games (I think!) and the defense has been there for about 6 of those. Not for nothing but I rate his tenure as DC for 2016 “INCOMPLETE”.
Plus, I wouldn’t mind some continuity for a change.
December 13th, 2016 at 11:54 am
I’d love for him to stay – whatever it takes to keep smitty up in his crows nest calling the D. Give him his own pirate ship and key to the city.
December 13th, 2016 at 11:58 am
Smith should weigh whatever offers that come his way but if the team offers to keep him with increased compensation then it should be an easy decision to stay. Why? Few teams in the league appear to have the long term upside the Bucs have currently. Once this team continues to add critical pieces and Jameis stays healthy then multiple championships are possible. There are only a handful of teams with top tier management and a talented young QB already in place
December 13th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Joe, you might’ve been wrong about Dominik, Johhny Football, Vic Beasley being a bust and Kirk Cousins but it seems like you are right about Smith getting a new gig next year. Which means I’ll be making a donation to a charity for being wrong.
We can only hope his leaving means the Bucs got to the playoffs
December 13th, 2016 at 12:45 pm
don’t think any amount of money will keep mike smith from the second bite at the coaching apple, especially after his success in atlanta (better first 6 years than dungy’s in tampa). even if he did give the bucs a chance to match an offer, if he is someone’s top choice, they will offer him more than Dirk Koetter is making, and the bucs cannot pay their coordinator more than their head coach.
December 13th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
The glazers have to see that their team is building something special. In the same way that you hired Koetter as Head coach for continuity, you must retain Mike Smith. His defense has been crucial to our success. Many (me included) would say it has carried this team during the 5 game win streak. And if we do make it to the playoffs, it will be thanks to our defense.
I don’t know who would take over if mike smith left, and i have no idea what the defense would look like either. But i am not even remotely interested in finding out. We need to keep Mr. Smith.
I think the bucs are an attractive place for Mike to stay. If mike loves working with a defense, we have a great group to work with. And Head coaching would take away his involvement with the defense. if he doesnt care for calling and controlling a defense, then he should go be a head coach. It depends on his mindset. If the glazers were to pay him head coach money to stay as our DC, but he accepts somewhere ele, then it is clear defense isnt his passion. Head coaching would be his calling. But boy it would be a waste of a Great defensive mind if he did go back into head coaching.
December 13th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
The Bucs did it before with Monte Kiffen so why not do it again with Coach Smith.
Just pay him $10,000 less than Dirk and give him a five year deal.
He may want the opportunity to win Super Bowls with the Bucs rather than take a job like LA or Jacksonville where it looks like neither team has a NFL starting caliber QB.
December 13th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
JBF commenters on a roll today
Warren says:
“Few teams in the league appear to have the long term upside the Bucs have currently.”
BigMacAttack says:
“I can totally see the Glazers showing Smith the money. Stay here, get paid and win a couple championships. Then wait for a really good coaching job to open up and take it.”
Bucsfanman says:
“I wouldn’t mind some continuity for a change.” (added footnote – neither would the Glazers)
-which is why they will as
Marlow1976 Says:
“Pay the man”
All good thoughts and of course Mike Smith is a smart man and will not necessarily take the 1st HC offer that comes along. It has to be a good situation. NFL HCs who do not have a SB on their resume do not usually get a 3rd chance.
Smith is in a good situation here and his stock is only going to keep going up as long as he stays – so he can afford to be choosy. IE: Why go be HC of the Browns for 1-2 years, inevitably fail and have your reputation and future job prospects take a big hit?
Now if Jax wants him – thats a different story. He has previous ties to that franchise and the Jaguars have quite a bit of young talent that just needs some nurturing and molding. That team is ready to bust out and be competitive under the right guidance.
It would suck to lose Mike Smith after just 1 year – but honestly – this is what happens when your team has success. We forget what that’s like because its been so long…. But once Dungy got this franchise rolling we lost 4 Defensive coaches (who weren’t even coordinators) to HCing opportunities – Herm Edwards, Mike Tomlin, Lovie Smith (DC Rams then HC Chicago) and then later Rod Marinelli.
Sustained success in the NFL breeds “coaching trees” – and hopefully in about 12-15 years, the “Dirk Koetter coaching tree” will be considered among the most prolific. Having JW as his QB does not hurt Koetter’s chances of having sustained success…
December 13th, 2016 at 6:11 pm
Now that Jeff Fisher has been fired and knowing the Jags, I see a match made in heaven!
December 13th, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Smith has more than redeemed himself…I was wring about him. He reminds me of a Mike “SugarBear” Sherman-type…in fact I bet their career records are similar. I’m not sure he gets the crack at a head gig anytime soon ( Steve I. may just ban me for that statement. 🙂 )