Who’s The Coach Killer?
December 11th, 2017
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Gather ’round Buc fans, we’ve got a classic whodunit on our hands.
Somebody wants Dirk Koetter fired, that much is clear. If the Glazers haven’t already made up their minds about whether to bring Koetter back for 2018, the best way to get him out of town is to suggest things have soured between the head coach and the face of the franchise.
That’s exactly what was reported by NFL Network in the hours leading up to Sunday’s 24-21 loss to Detroit, a report that Koetter said he wasn’t aware of until after the Bucs dropped to 4-9.
Both parties have denied the validity of the report, but Winston’s refutation left a lot to be desired if you are a Koetter supporter. According to the NFL Network story, the alleged rift between coach and quarterback is due in part because Winston feels Koetter’s offense is too predictable.
In his emotional post-game response, Winston essentially endorsed the idea that Tampa Bay’s attack is too vanilla and offers few surprises.
“It doesn’t matter what a coach calls, it’s our job to execute,” Winston said. “I’ve been playing football since I was four years old. Being predictable is what makes you a good football team — when they know what you are going to do and you still go out there and you beat them.”
What is this, the Packers sweep under Vince Lombardi? Back in the day, Green Bay opponents knew the power sweep was coming and were helpless to stop it.
That was 50 years ago and you’d like to think pro football has gotten a little more sophisticated. Coaching staffs have swelled and every move you make now is on tape for the next opponent to study.
Winston never said the Bucs aren’t predictable, and that charge has to sting Koetter to his core. This is a man who made his football bones by earning a reputation as an innovative play-caller.
Who’s The Leaker?
And taking this all in are the Glazers, who will soon decide whether to make a fifth coaching change since 2009. The question remains, who leaked this story to NFL Network?
Was it the Gruden camp, eager to ensure Koetter is jettisoned after a woeful season?
I’m not buying that scenario. Say what you want about Gruden, but the man has respect for the NFL coaching fraternity. In his overview of the Buc season just last week, Gruden said it would be foolish to put all the blame on the head coach.
What about Jason Licht? Is he pushing Koetter out the door?
Absolutely not. When Licht first became aware that the NFL Network report was upcoming, he said it was inaccurate and should not see the light of day. He’s an innocent man.
Predictable Ending
Then there’s the Winston side. If they are responsible for the report, Koetter has virtually no chance to survive … even if the details of the story are manufactured.
Despite a potential suspension hanging over his head, Winston is still viewed by ownership as a franchise quarterback. He would win any power struggle … simple as that.
By questioning the very relationship that earned Koetter his promotion to head coach, Sunday’s report represents a shiv to the man’s back.
The ending, it appears, is all too predictable.
Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Who cares, Jameis won’t get that 2nd contract from us, too many boneheaded turnovers, the next coach won’t put up with it and will want his own guy, someone smart
December 11th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Really ? With all due respect , Winston isn’t bright enough to stay out of an uber ride with past friends of dubitable repute. What makes you think he would orchestrate or approve of such an underhanded tactic ? I’m inclined to believe this is just another made up story from a self serving parasitic media outlet.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Whether the report is true or not…. The words that was put together are true. Every fan knows that. Every team is a reflection of their coach and the buccaneers are beyond under acheiving. Blame jw if u want but Koetter is directly tied to jw success/failures. It’s been more failures. Koetter COACHED this into Jw. What happen to the gun-slinging qb? He looks so nueterred. Jw does not look like JW. He looks like Blaine gabbert- his other failure get Koetter away from the face of franchise immediately. I can’t defend Koetter no more. Everybody on the team regressed.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Fire them all, let God sort them out…
If by some chance it is Winstons camp, he’s even more slimy than I originally thought. I don’t want DK, MS, or JL retained, but JW turning into Frank Underwood is even more disgusting, he should clean up his own backyard.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
With all due respect, maybe the franchise shouldn’t be taking its cues from a guy on his way to a six game suspension.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
If it was JUST jameis out there f’ing up and the team can’t win cuz JW turnovers I’ll blame JW. Everybody on the team seems to regressed. I’m pissed more about the Marpet move which lead to a regress. I’m pissed about me13 turning into Michael Clayton. I’m pissed that there was a better rb this whole time than dm. I’m pissed we sign a djx not Jeffreys. I’m pissed cuz my Bucs are this bad ACROSS THE BOARD
Stafford going 36 44 on our defense with 2 missing fingers summs up the season for us in a nutshell
December 11th, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Eat a W?
Who says that?
Winston is not a leader he is a poser.
No Head Coach wants to attach himself to a poser.
Cut bait and get rid of Winston.
I would take Brett Hundley over Jamies Winston
December 11th, 2017 at 12:25 pm
I think that ME’s early success was directly related to Vincent Jackson’s presence.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
“things have soured between the head coach and the face of the franchise.”
_________________
When the “face of the franchise” is an alleged serial sexual assaulter who likes to icky lick his fingers, that tells you all you need to know about this embarrassment.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
There’s always one disgruntled employee…….
There’s always one rotten apple to spoil the bunch….
….and there’s only one Jameis Winston on the bucs
Who do you think it’s coming from?
December 11th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
I think this is what Koetter was referring to when he said that people were/are trying to split the team apart.
What Ira conveniently failed to mention is that Jameis like Eli said this is what happens when you lose. The total chitstorm from your local media to fire coaches and/or players.
Furthermore, Jameis even implored you to remember that you the media are ALSO considered family and should have the teams back. But who cares about loyalty when your story can be featured as an ESPN tweet amirite?
December 11th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
There aren’t many games I’d say we lost because of Winston since he’s been here vs games I can say we single handily won because of Winston. Just this season – I’d put this game and the Panthers game on Winston. That’s it. The Vikings game was his only other bad turnover game and that was an early blowout and likely loss with any QB playing.
On the other hand – we beat the Giants because of a late drive by Winston after the D sh1t the bed and gave up a TD drive late; and he was robbed of 3 other game winning drives / wins between the Bills/Packers/Pats due to the defense giving up the lead at the end or our K not making easy kicks.
Even in this Lions game – he tied the game in the 4th quarter. He’s not the one that let the Lions move down the field and run clock to win the game. And he didn’t call the plays on the last sequence when Koetter got scared and wanted a dump check down screen to Sims that the Lions were waiting for on 3rd down.
In general it’s very rare he’s had the ball in his hands at the end of a close game and lost it. I can really only think of the Rams game early last year as an obvious one; and then the Pats this year which was still a hail mary type situation
December 11th, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Jameis Winston – Coach Killer
Jameis will end up getting several more head coaches fired through his career by never being better than average and never living up to his over-hyped potential. Somehow it will always be the coaches’ fault
December 11th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
When the “face of the franchise” is an alleged serial sexual assaulter who likes to icky lick his fingers, that tells you all you need to know about this embarrassment.
———————–
You guys hold a 23 yo qb more accountable than the leader of the free world. 🤮
Why is that?
December 11th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
I hope this nonsense was not planted by Gruden’s camp. I already don’t like him and don’t want him back here!
December 11th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a ” Coach Killer”.
Sam Wyche
Tony Dungy
Jon Gruden
Lovie Smith
Successful Head Coaches that drowned in this Cesspool
December 11th, 2017 at 12:55 pm
No one has killed more coaches and coordinators than that POS crybaby cancer93 but its a 23 qb in his 3rd years fault this dysfunctional franchise is a laughingstock year in and yeasr out for over a decade. Lol
December 11th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Lord c
U nailed it. JW losses 2 games and defense has 5 kicker 1
Koetter Koetter Koetter. U even got Me13 looking like Michael Clayton. Everybody regressed this year. This is what Koetter had in mine
JW=Gabbert-
Dm= Michael Turner or jones-drew
OJ= Mercedes Lewis
Me13= Roddy white or Mccardell
DJX= Jimmy smith or peerless price.
I can’t with Koetter no more.
December 11th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Who said anything was leaked!!!! Could be media trying to drum up ratings. Fake news..of course Iras running with it
December 11th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
The media
December 11th, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Carson Wentz is done for the rest of the season. That hit that he took from Mark Barron did it. Torn ACL.
December 11th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Tmax
At this point it’s like bullying a handicapped kid. Lol
Did you see his post game? Won’t bother mentioning how many athletes have played through that injury, Terrel Suggs famously said (in October 2016)
It’s most definitely a pain tolerance thing,” Suggs told reporters on Tuesday. “But it’s also a win tolerance thing. How much do you want to win?”
But honestly I want nothing more than for Gerald to recoup and get healthy.
December 11th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
You believe every story you hear
December 11th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
You know how rabid it will be Mon night if the Falcons are up 27-3 at halftime? The “bring back Gruden” signs in the stands? Dirk might send Smitty out there to finish the game for him. What a sheete storm. lol.
December 11th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
Lake
Barron can now take over the qbkilla tag. This the third yr in a row he’s ended a qbs season. Bradford, Palmer and now Wentz.
Of course people around these heer parts called hims a bust, a busty bust bust, a bust under a bus with rust bust. Lmao, he too will win a ring before the ALL-WORLD SUPERMAN DT
LMAO LMAO LMAO DUMB DUMB DUMB DUMBBBBBBBB
December 11th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
DB55
He wasn’t a good fit with the Bucs
His physical style of play
Don’t blend with the soft Yucs
December 11th, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Agreed with everything here, Ira.
People around these parts also seem to forget that trading Mark Barron brought the Bucs Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander.
December 11th, 2017 at 1:16 pm
Db55
Captain blowout cancer93 legacy is set in stone already. He is nothing more than a fragile, soft, mentally weak career loser who is the undisputed face of the basement years…. db my man can you get me a kleenex please….
December 11th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
And how many qbs has kwon knocked out the game? Lmao.
Kwon may not even be the best mlb on the roster. And Ali isn’t even the best center on the roster.
But you’re right Jenna, Barron is NO Chris Conte.
December 11th, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Ultimately the responsibility falls on the head coach. This team is the 2nd coming of the ATL Falcons at the end of the Mike Smith era. Their credibility as a winning coaching staff has already been exposed. Jameis & the team needs a new voice to determine who’s really at fault. Gruden is the perfect choice because he’ll win the power struggle with Jameis & has the track record of success. I just hope that the organization can find a good GM & HC chemistry between Licht & Gruden. We need better talent but better attitude even more. I think Licht knows talent & Gruden knows attitude. Changes will come & hope for the best.
December 11th, 2017 at 1:33 pm
@DB55…I wouldn’t say he was a bust…but we should have drafted Kuechly instead.
December 11th, 2017 at 1:53 pm
“Who’s the coach killer?” Easy, the Bucs franchise owners.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
Think if they do bring in gruden he cleans house goes and gets the DC qb and starts putting tampa back in discussion of championships, draft some defense build the defnse up and putting cousins on this team with the offensive weapons would be a good show…problem is licht has neglected the defense so gonna have to score 31/game
December 11th, 2017 at 2:05 pm
Who knows what’s going on with this franchise. It’s a mistake to fire Koetter. Any coach worth his salt should be given at least 3 years to stabilize a franchise. If we are looking for dysfunction, look no further than Jameis. He is a boy surrounded by men. Can he lead? Of course not. Men just won’t respond to someone who is acting out like a 14 year old. Cut your losses and bundle Jameis with M. Evans because you might find that James alone won’t bring a high enough draft pick to make a trade worthwhile. By continuing to play him, he will be significantly devalued by season’s end. The biggest asset of a QB is protecting the football and Jameis, no matter how great he plays, is bound to give the ball away 2 or 3 times a game. No team can survive that.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Hey Ira, here’s a new phrase for you to try out on the Joes: dubitable repute
December 11th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
Very rough seas ahead for the pirates on the Buc ship….hurricane force winds ahead fellas and change on the horizon.
Look at the bright side, this nightmare season is almost over.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:08 pm
Something that seems odd to me is that Koetter has been loyal to Martin to a fault. So for Koetter to have a rift with Jameis doesn’t seem to ring true to me.
While its possible this came from Jameis’s agent. I think it is more likely coming from the local media. It would not be the first time that there has been supposition without checking the source.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Hey Ira,
anyword if cancer93 kleenex endorsement audition was successful yesterday
December 11th, 2017 at 2:19 pm
In other news:
Alessi Bakery has named their famous turnover the “Jameis Winston”.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:24 pm
no coach could win with this talent
December 11th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Maybe the Glazers leaked it, that and the Uber thing too……….
December 11th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
@tmax- Somehow I knew that you would not have missed it! Did you see how close we got to Stafford after he left?!
December 11th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
@OAR- LMAO! Love me some Alessi!
December 11th, 2017 at 2:40 pm
I think we played tougher def after he left the game. I recall at least two 3&outs.
Kleenex audition= Epic! 😂🤣😭
December 11th, 2017 at 2:45 pm
I’m surprised you don’t know Ira. Who’s more plugged in than you? Sounds like it’s coming from outside from someone with the most to gain no matter how much you don’t want to believe he’d be behind it.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
DB55 Says:
December 11th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
When the “face of the franchise” is an alleged serial sexual assaulter who likes to icky lick his fingers, that tells you all you need to know about this embarrassment.
———————–
You guys hold a 23 yo qb more accountable than the leader of the free world. 🤮
Why is that?
___________________________________________________
Priorities bro. You’re only a bad person for doing those things if you’re on the other side. After all, we’ve got the RNC and the prez blatantly supporting a serial pedophile in Alabama.
#PartyOverCountry #NotForThePeople
December 11th, 2017 at 2:49 pm
**************
In 7 healthy games, Jameis’ stats extrapolate to 4,885 yards, 32 TDs and 14 picks with a 90+ rating … Jameis, when healthy, has been fantastic … and I don’t think he has a problem with Dirk Koetter at all.
However, the TEAM is 4-9 wit its only wins against the horrible Giants, Jets, Phins and Bears … which means Koetter has been HORRIBLE and deserves to be fired.
To me, Jameis isn’t behind the report, nor is Licht or Gruden … it’s either a media-fueled report with no real basis or it’s a GLAZER-FAMILY fueled report to see how the public reacts to the news … my money is on the former but you never know.
**************
December 11th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Ditto to Bucsfanman. Still think Aguayo reeks of ownership intervention.
To me, the biggest problem is that we built the team backwards. We keep hearing how talented the team is. How much talent is on the oline? Maybe some decent working parts, but who is great? Or even really good? Who is great or just very good on the Dline besides McCoy?
Carr, Prescott and Mariota looked like world beaters when they had great offensive lines. Now all three look mediocre at best.
December 11th, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Okay let’s run off Jameis! Fantastic idea! Who’s ready for Tom Savage to be our quarterback and have us spend the next ten years stuck looking for a quarterback again?
December 11th, 2017 at 4:25 pm
@destinjohnny … “no coach could win with this talent.” Or lack thereof.
December 11th, 2017 at 4:37 pm
The team is a mess. The team is a direct reflection of the head coach. I said it the day the head coach gave up in the first half in arizona, Ive said it every day since….time for dirk to go. When the coach throws in the towel in the first half of a game you have the wrong coach. Not sure thats ever happened before in the nfl, definitely hasnt in tampa. I have no idea why the glazers didnt can him that night. The rest of the season didnt have a prayer. Fire him now
December 11th, 2017 at 4:54 pm
They throw the ball as much as anyone is the league. The playacting is nowhere near as predictable as it has been with previous coaching staffs. Could it improve ? Yes. But I see Jamies making bad decisions on the field and the leagues worst pass defense being the issues that cause this crappy of a record.
Hell if they had a kicker to start the season they would have won two more, Humphries fumbled thats a win killer. Anyone wanna cut Adam for that one play that lost the game? Thats three games right there.
Last week Winston throws a pick six theres another win given away #4
Yesterday all those turnovers lost the game .
Dirk is on the sideline and can’t control this things. But he can control firing the leagues worst DC and making a playoff run next season with this offense.
Dirk has one loosing season under his belt. Thats not enough to fire him. Mike Smith has to go.
December 11th, 2017 at 5:24 pm
The sheep talk about what they think about jameis and this terrible season….
What do you this jameis and his camp (antoine/mentor george whitfield/agent) think about tampas future with jameis
They thought playoffs and ripping the rookie contract this offseason
They see goff and wentz. They know jameis can make all those throws a d need that exact coachi g
“There are always 2 sides to every story”
Son of Kobe Faker
December 11th, 2017 at 6:05 pm
DB55 Says:
December 11th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
When the “face of the franchise” is an alleged serial sexual assaulter who likes to icky lick his fingers, that tells you all you need to know about this embarrassment.
———————–
You guys hold a 23 yo qb more accountable than the leader of the free world.
Why is that?
—————————————————————————————-
Because Trump cannot bring a Lombardi trophy to Tampa……Unless of course he bought the team, brought in top coaches, players etc. but I digress.
I agree with DB55, Jameis is a 23 year old YOUNG man. He is going to make mistakes, may even make more, but I believe he can learn and overcome those mistakes. I always felt they gave up on Josh Freeman, he still had something in the tank, don’t make the same mistake twice, support JW3!
December 11th, 2017 at 7:06 pm
If you are going to can Koetter for Gruden, then you better have a contingency plan just in case Gruden declines the job. How many big name coaches have been linked to the Bucs over the years? How many of them have left ownership at the altar?
December 11th, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Dec 10
Mariota was 16-of-31 for 159 yards and two interceptions on the day and said after the game that he feels like he’s holding the Titans back.
“Frustration is an understatement,” Mariota said, via the team’s website. “The defense played lights out, special teams did their job and I have been hurting our team and I have to find ways to get better and improve. I expect myself to do my job, and that’s taking care of the football and converting third downs. And I haven’t been up to par. I have to be better.”
YDS TD INT
December 11th, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Amazing Titan fans support their young QB, Buc fans eat their young, SMH
Dec 10
24 yrs old played 3yrs college 23 yrs old played 2yrs college
Mariota YDS TD INT Jameis YDS TD INT
Dec 10 159 0 2 285 2 2
3 150 1 0 270 2 0
December 11th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Whomever needs to leave Coach Koetter alone, let him do his job.
December 11th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
Amazing Titan fans support their young and Buc fans eat their young, SMH
Dec 10
24 yrs old played 3yrs college
Mariota YDS TD INT
Dec 10 159 0 2
3 150 1 0
23 yrs old played 2yrs college
Jameis YDS TD INT
Dec 10 285 2 2
Dec 3 270 2 0
Talking about throwing the Baby out with the bath water…way to go Bucs
December 12th, 2017 at 12:36 am
*****************
^ Actually, I know A LOT of Titans fans and they have completely turned on Mariota and are wanting the Titans to draft a new QB and cut the kid … he has been TERRIBLE, as in one of the 3-4 worst starting QBs in the entire NFL this year … he looks like a career backup.
*****************
December 12th, 2017 at 12:39 am
nole4Jaboo its hard to argue that Winston is a better qb than Mariota but that simply means that Mariota id definitely not a franchise qb. Mariota is simply getting a pass from the Nashville media because TN is 8-5.ans have played the league’s easiest schedule, easier than Tampa’s schedule last year. This just in SF is favored over them on Sunday. If Mariota throws a couple of picks next week look for the wolves to come after him too.
December 12th, 2017 at 12:40 am
nole4jaboo; correction; Winston probably is a better qb than Mariota but that does not make him a franchise qb just the better of 2 guys picked in 2015 and perhaps better than Blake Bortles but still not a top 15 qb unless he limits the bonehead errors!
December 12th, 2017 at 12:42 am
I agree NFLnut. Mariota is an injury prone Bortles…..
December 12th, 2017 at 12:50 am
^ Indeed but JW is absolutely a “franchise QB” … his 7 healthy games extrapolate to 4,885 yards, 32 TDs and 14 INTS … that is a monster year.