“Honest” Dirk Koetter
June 17th, 2018
Flash back to January 1, the day after the 2017 Buccaneers season officially was flushed down the toilet.
There was Dirk Koetter refusing to play games when it came to talking about a free agent that might be difficult to re-sign.
Koetter told Joe and local media that he cornered Brent Grimes that day to express his desire for a 2018 Grimes return. Many coaches would have been less straightforward knowing their team would have to negotiate with Grimes and knowing talk like that could artificially inflate his market value.
That’s just one example of Koetter having the respect of his players for being an extraordinarily straight shooter.
They love that about him, even when he gets it wrong. Joe asked one Buccaneer last week about why, in retrospect, he thinks Koetter stuck with Doug Martin so long last year after it was clear Martin didn’t have it.
The Buccaneer questioned didn’t want his name revealed but said it was only because Koetter genuinely believed in Martin. “That’s one thing about coach. He’s honest. He’s doing whatever he believes he needs to do to win. Just because some players disagree sometimes, that doesn’t mean they believe his motive is wrong.”
Linebackers coach Mark Duffner talked about Koetter’s honesty on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, and Grimes brought it up to Kaufman last week.
“Coach Koetter and Coach Smith are very smart and very honest. Honesty is always a key. They know what they’re doing. Those guys have seen a lot and they have a plan,” Grimes said.
Koetter’s direct way with his players is one reason Joe has his undies all bunched about Koetter often talking about how meaningful it is that the Bucs were 3-7 in one-score games last year. Koetter may believe it, but Joe’s terrified that players might start to believe that they actually were close to winning. That’s a weak and dangerous mindset.
On the upside, Joe believes Koetter’s direct communication is a big reason why the Bucs had a spring practice season with a lot more urgency and Joe is confident it will carry over to training camp. This teams knows, to a man, that a soft and losing start to this season will just about blow up the regime.
June 17th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Just imagine your in a war with a general and his record in battle is 3-7 how does he raise the morale with the new platoon?
June 17th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Really looking forward to Exciting football from my Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sadly i believe this schedule will prohibit playoff dreams along with dirk getting fired! Keep Licht and is anybody wondering why buck took the job in Tampa? You heard it here first. He’ll be the next head coach for us and I’m down with it..happy Father’s Day stick carriers
June 17th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
There is no question this team must be above .500 after 8 games or it will be tough to justify sticking with this group of coaches and players at year’s end.
Last year, I really thought the team would make that step but they didn’t….I am in wait and see mode and will not change until I see it on the field and score board. I don’t see any member of this team as a great player and the NFL Top 100 reflects that also.
Go Bucs!
June 17th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Dre you’re high man. Buckner isn’t the next head coach of the Bucs.
June 17th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Jason. I agree. He won’t be the next Buc HC. But I do think this..If Smitty has less then an 8-8 season as our DC, Buckner could very well be the new DC for the Bucs. Actually, he should have been this year. But Koetter is so loyal to Smith for because of their time with the Falcons. I just hate seeing Smitty sitting on his butt up there in that pressbox when his troops need him on the field. You’d think..the lightbulb came on after losing so many games last year. But..he’ll probably be sitting up there in his AC again this year.
June 17th, 2018 at 3:20 pm
“Joe’s terrified that players might start to believe that they actually were close to winning. That’s a weak and dangerous mindset”
Um – not only were they close to winning – they SHOULD have won the Pats, Bills, Packers, Lions, 2nd Falcons and 2nd Panthers games.
Even without a running game – an average defense and a decent kicker would have meant 11-5 and a wildcard spot in 2017.
I think Coach K is on the right track in emphasizing that we were “close” last year despite the obvious weaknesses the Bucs had at K, OG, RB, DL and Secondary. All of those weaknesses except for 1 OG spot have been fairly well addressed this offseason. (we hope)
June 17th, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Dre, there have been numerous posts about Buckner being HC next, like Jason said, you are high, and slow to join the Buckner theme.
June 17th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Dre I said that a while back either that or DC if offense shines n d still sucks
June 17th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
For folks contemplating Buckner as the next DC (or HC), it’s a GIANT step from being a very good position coach to being a very good DC, OC or HC. Being able to develop & implement game plans, strategies, various tactics, deal with media & owners, etc is undoubtedly much different the farther up the football food chain you go. That’s one of the key reasons why I hate to see Dirk still attempting to do TWO jobs (HC & OC) simultaneously again this year. Most people get too much on their plate and they end up not doing anything really well.
June 17th, 2018 at 7:42 pm
Koetter genuinely believed in Martin
That’s the difference between good coaches and the bad. At some point the belief in a player has to be rewarded with production.
Apparently Licht didn’t believe in him. That’s disappointing to hear because it just shows he will go with who’s familiar not most productive……prepare to see Charles Sims ruining up the middle on third and short again this year because he doesn’t trust rookie backs. Oh well it’s your career Dork, wonder how long into the season before we begin to talk about the next head coach
June 17th, 2018 at 8:05 pm
Yep we’re gonna find out who has who’s back.
June 17th, 2018 at 8:46 pm
They had their chance last season. This season’s schedule won’t allow them more than 5 or 6 wins. Not falling for the hype anymore. You can’t blow chances in the NFL. Not a good look for this go round.
June 18th, 2018 at 2:04 am
Defense rules,
You bring up some valid points. I have to point out though the OC is Monken. Dirk will continue to call plays game time.