Checking Seat Temperature
November 28th, 2018
According to the four-letter, if Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter cannot make a dramatic turnaround in his team’s fortunes in the remaining five games, he’s all but doomed.
ESPN decided to check the temperature of every chair sat on by NFL coaches and graded the heat level from five (blazing) to one (cold as ice).
Only three coaches have seats ablaze, so claims the four-letter. And as Jenna Laine notes, Koetter’s chair is one of the three.
Coach: Dirk Koetter (18-25 over three seasons)
The Bucs might have snapped a four-game losing streak, but they are still three games under .500 this season and seven games under .500 during Koetter’s tenure. Patience is wearing thin, and quarterback Jameis Winston, whom Koetter was brought in to develop, is showing the same ball security issues he had when he came into the league four years ago. On top of that, Koetter had the opportunity to fire defensive coordinator Mike Smith at the end of last season and didn’t, a move that unquestionably cost the Bucs games this season.
The other two coaches in the same boat as Koetter? Todd Bowles with the Jets and Mike McCarthy with the Packers.
In Joe’s eyes, too much is stacked up against Koetter. He has virtually run out of chess moves.
The only way Joe can see Koetter coming back is if somehow, someway the Bucs make a playoff run. In other words, he would have to win out.
Then, he could tell Team Glazer, “Look, I wasn’t picking the kickers, I wasn’t picking the running backs and I wasn’t the guy who suspended your starting quarterback three games, which took until after Thanksgiving (maybe) for him to get his head screwed on straight.”
But as Laine stated, if Koetter does not return, his decision to bring back Mike Smith as defensive coordinator may have Pearl Harbored his days with the Bucs.
November 28th, 2018 at 5:21 am
Koetter will return
Licht will return
Winston will return
Fans will be pissed with no changes
Team Glazer will still make boat loads of money
Get over it
November 28th, 2018 at 5:56 am
Koetter should not be brought back under any circumstances. These slow starts to games and seasons are on him, and he can’t fix them. Further, the relationship he has with Jameis is broken, he is too emotional and fatalistic, his team has taken on his personality in this regard. Last, his blind loyalty to players/coaches that aren’t producing (except Jameis) is sickening (including stubborn decisions at kicker).
November 28th, 2018 at 5:59 am
And the merry go round starts where everybody is an expert predictor
SI’s Albert Breer and Kalyn Kahler have the Bucs taking Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert with their first-round pick, 10th overall, in their 2019 NFL Mock Draft.
November 28th, 2018 at 6:15 am
It looks really bad for Koetter but I would’t bet the mortgage that he will be fired……it really depends on the last 5 games….he needs to go at least 3-2……
We need a really strong D coordinator…..
If Koetter is fired I’d like a Defensive focused HC and to retain Monken.
November 28th, 2018 at 7:01 am
I won’t be mad if Koetter Jamies and Licht stays, just bring in a good defensive coordinator
November 28th, 2018 at 7:03 am
He needs to be gone regardless of how he finishes this season. Say he does run the table and finishes 9 – 7 for this season, that won’t negate the fact that this is third season where he starts incredibly slow then proceeds to turn everything around. Add that to all the screw ups from how he handled the Jameis Winston situations from this year and last year, the fact that he is still making rookie coaching mistakes in his third year at the position, and how he handled the debacle with Mike Smith who should have been fired during the offseason, not a couple of months in.
November 28th, 2018 at 7:16 am
Tampabaybucfan- As crazy as that sounds, you may be right. My gut tells me he’s toast. My gut usually never lies, especially when it comes to Cuban food!
November 28th, 2018 at 7:18 am
In what world does starting 2-1 mean Koetter screwed up the Jameis situation?
Jameis screwed this team with his actions, and he’s paying for that, literally.
Everyone wrote this team off before the season began, and everyone said “Koetter is done” and “0-3.”
Then he went 2-1. One of those victories was the Saints, who haven’t lost a game since. IN THEIR DOME.
Now everyone is saying “too much talent on this team. We should be better!”
You really want to throw away the best offense in Bucs history because he’s 4-7 on a team Vegas had picking in the top 3?
November 28th, 2018 at 7:34 am
Wow Joe, did you realize that you just made the case for why Licht should be fired and Koetter stays?
November 28th, 2018 at 7:36 am
If you don’t keep Koetter, you’re basically saying that the guy who you picked to replace the guy who sucked also sucks… I see lots off faults in Koetter, but I also see a very competitive offense. To throw everything away after basically having a #1 offense seems to be throwing the baby out with the bath water.
Hire the best candidate available for defensive coordinator, and wait two more years. This organization needs to support their choices, or get rid of whoever is making those choices. Continuity is something this franchise has never had and that is the biggest problem!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 7:39 am
@ Mike in MO I’m not trying to speak for either of the Joes intentions, but what they are saying in the article is if Koetter does good he can make a case where he can throw Jason Licht under the bus. That’s not making a case to fire someone, but presenting a situation that potentially allows a creation of a scapegoat for Koetter.
November 28th, 2018 at 7:43 am
Win the next 3 and you have a chance at playoffs with a big game at Dallas…
Koetter has to win last 4 out of 5 to be retained. Continue to eliminate turnovers and it’s doable- return to turnover machine and forget it…
DJaX will come around if Bucs game vs Dallas means something
November 28th, 2018 at 7:45 am
I would LUV for our offense to employ –
A balanced vertical attack ala The Pittsburgh Steelers.
What would that entail?
Modification/Change of Philosophy
• Offensive Scheme: Erhardt-Perkins
Mike Mularkey As a coach: (22yrs. within the system)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (TE, 1996–2000) ←
• Pittsburgh Steelers (OC, 2001–2003) ←
Russ Grimm As a coach: (16yrs. within the system)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (OL, 2001–2006) ←
• Arizona Cardinals (OL, 2007–2012) ←
• Tennessee Titans (OL, 2016–2017) w/Mike Mularkey
Possible Coaching Changes
-Offensive Coordinator: Mike Mularkey
-Offensive Line Coach: Russ Grimm
Note: Both men were integral parts of Bill Cowher’s coaching staff in Pittsburgh.
Mularkey also hired Russ Grimm as his OL coach in Tenn.
November 28th, 2018 at 7:50 am
The whole “playoff run” discussion will likely end either this week or next….We have two quality wins that happened with a QB that’s now back on the bench. This team gets punched in the mouth in the 1st half of every game against quality opponents….Koetter is done. If the Bucs are smart, they’ll invest in a young QB to hedge themselves. I can see Winston doing exactly what Cousins did….particularly with the new agent he has now. Force the tag…2x…then cash in. Winston hasn’t shown enough to warrant the big contract but he’ll demand it. I highly doubt the Glazers will bend to his demands….The stare down starts in less then 6 weeks.
November 28th, 2018 at 7:52 am
Wow, a smashmouth spread offense in Tampa?
November 28th, 2018 at 8:06 am
LUV- You employ a guy with the name Russ Grimm and you know they’re not going to be soft.
It’s a shame that Cody got injured when he came here. I can’t remember if he was before or after Tanard Jackson. Cody had that lineage and played with his hair on fire at safety.
Get me some smashmouth STAT!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 8:12 am
Koetter is safe for 2019….it is not his fault he has had to coach Jamyth….
November 28th, 2018 at 8:18 am
If Winston plays like he did last Sunday, and the defense, OLine and kicker continue to show up, Koetter can argue that he righted the ship…
November 28th, 2018 at 8:22 am
Bucs finish 8-8. Jw/dk/jl all stay one more year.
November 28th, 2018 at 8:33 am
Bucsfanman
Had Mad LUV for the Kid (archives)
November 28th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Bucsfanman
Got LUV 4 Koetter – But if/when he’s replaced.
Tired of this finesse BS*.
Hopefully, we’ll take the “Smashmouth Spread” Approach.
Outside of tweaking a few things – we’ve got most of the weapons.
November 28th, 2018 at 8:46 am
Some need to start asking why they want some fired and are giving passes and excuses for others just to improve the likely hood of keeping jw3!!!!!!!!!
pretty sad when jw3 highlight for 2018 is settling his second assault lawsuit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 8:50 am
Realisto
Sad but true
November 28th, 2018 at 9:01 am
fire dirk!!!!!!!!!
KRIS RICHARD 4 HC!!!!!!!!!
dirk is gone…..glazers wouldve gave him some weapons at the trade dead line if they were going to keep him….anyone who thinks dirk will return needs to wake up!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 9:03 am
LUV- Finesse is OK if you have the players to pull it off. Even in a “finesse” system though, you have to be able to trade punches. We don’t have that.
We do have most of the weapons on offense. We need a Derrick Henry-like RB or Marshawn Lynch clone. Some say we have that in Barber, I don’t know yet. He plays hard, sure.
I don’t think Koetter will change, and it will be his undoing, IMO. Personally, I think he HAS to go. He’s the man in charge of this ISH-show after all!
November 28th, 2018 at 9:05 am
LUV- Cody’s a Hokie! H-O-K-I-E-S, Hokies!
I digress.
November 28th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Normally I would agree with the CW that Koetter is gone.
But this has been far from a normal year!!! Can anybody share with us the last time a team’s franchise QB was suspended for the first three games to start the season? Seriously. Forget the emotional reaction about whose fault that was…it doesn’t matter now whose fault it was…it happened and had a profound effect on this team.
Now if you do look at “normal” stuff…as in injuries..Koetter was not exactly lucky there either…#1 draft pick selected to shore up the team’s greatest weakness gets hurt in training camp and disappears until last Sunday.
A defensive backfield that was questionable when healthy gets totally decimated by injury..two vets…even rookies were going down.
I want to see the next five games. If they show what they did Sunday in terms of effort and chemistry I think we should bring the big three back. I’m after culture change however we get there. If it takes a growing friendship and admiration society between our two best DL so be it.
November 28th, 2018 at 9:25 am
Bucsfanman
Yeah Yeah Yeah
Beamer Ball – I get it
lol
November 28th, 2018 at 9:29 am
If you want to know what the Glazers will do at years end look no further then the half empty stadium last Sunday. During the month of November when fans should be cheering their teams on to a playoff run Buc fans are talking draft order. Bringing back Koetter will not ignite ticket sales, will not fill that half empty stadium. Licht, and Koetter have had their chance, and blew it. You are what your record says you are, and those two are losers. Any hope of sparking interest in the Bucs will be doused if those two are retained.
November 28th, 2018 at 9:36 am
The Glazers will probably hire Willie Taggart as head coach
November 28th, 2018 at 9:39 am
Some need to start asking why they WANTED some fired(last regime) and are giving passes and excuses for others(the current staff) just to improve the likely hood of keeping DIRK!!!!!!!!!
pretty sad when DIRK’S TEAM highlight for 2018 is FITZMAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 9:44 am
Joe is as anti-kotter pro Jamis as they come. Just listen to Monday Morning Joe. I am not saying either should not be here next year but there are arguments on each side of the fence. Kotter deserves the credit for the Bucs first high powered offense and the defense meltdown.
If they can him who will they get that is better? I heard Monken mentioned today. Didn’t we go down that road? I am all for better not just change for change sake. Is Kotter better than Shiano or Lovie or the guy before him…. Yes. and if we are going to change it has to be for better.
And anyone who thinks Jamis’ suspension didn’t taint the season is crazy. Yep they won 2 out of 3 but it created fitzmajic and a rusty jamis.
November 28th, 2018 at 9:53 am
You just saw this team’s last win. There will be a house cleaning at the end of the season and the new regime is going to decide if Winston is here long term. Tragically, the ownership will make the same mistakes again if they fail to get good top organizational leadership and let him hire the GM and coach
November 28th, 2018 at 9:53 am
We have 6-10 talent
If we go 6-10 what more can u expect ?
November 28th, 2018 at 9:54 am
stpete
dont be fooled by the last 5games…..
if we make the mistake(again) by keeping dirk, then we’ll start 1-5 next year and will be in this same position again…..
base dirk off winstons development since that was the reason he was promoted in the first place…..has winston progressed?….NO….
and dirk has admitted he doesn’t get involved with the defense so he surely wont help with a solution….do you want an HC that only knows and provides input on 1 side of the ball?…..i know i dont….i want someone who who can create a game plan on both side of the ball…..like most COMPETENT coaches do…..
keeping dirk will be the huge mistake……players dont develop under him and most seem to regress…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 28th, 2018 at 9:55 am
Bucsfanman
Peyton a solid prospect.
So is Jones – after he bulks up this offseason.
But adding another back or two will suffice.
Unfortunately, the writing’s on the wall for our HC.
November 28th, 2018 at 9:59 am
LUV- Preach brother!
I’m on the fence with Jones. Definitely have not seen enough to warrant the pick, IMO.
November 28th, 2018 at 10:10 am
pearl harbored?
i would have understood torpedoed, or sunk, but a surprise attack this should not be.
November 28th, 2018 at 10:54 am
Face it – Dork is an ok coordinator and a terrible HC
Monken gets more out of Dorks offense than he does
Let that sink in
November 28th, 2018 at 11:07 am
The lack of logic is unbearable..
Koetter, at this point can ONLY keep his job if Winston plays like a top tier QB down the stretch (like last season) and Koetter publicly embraces Winston (like at the end of the season last year) as his QB. I personally would fire Koetter already so that I could start the evaluation process already. Saying that people are rooting for Koetter to fail so that Winston can stay is absolutely Unrealistic. The only way that Winston is out is a total implosion. Then Koetter is out too. The die hard Koetter fans should be rooting for Winston to win out. The choice to stick with Fitz for so long looks bad unless Winston shows amazing progress and Koetter can sell he was doing all of his schtick for Winston’s long term success.
The “Winston screwed up the season with the three game suspension” is a red herring. If the Bucs started 0-3, then yes, I could buy into that. Not even going to argue about this.
I was listening to GMFB today… they are saying how great Russell Wilson is now because he has a good defense and a running game. Let that sink in. Our head coach doesn’t care about defense and thinks the running back’s blocking ability is of equal importance to running ability. So, why did we have a DC who was way past his prime and no running game? Wait, I know, it is because of the QB.
November 28th, 2018 at 11:14 am
@tnew,
you are absolutely correct. The only way Koetter stays is if Winston plays great to end the season. As I have stated Koetter gave Winston the tough love sit down probably knowing this team wasn’t going to win anyway. So his next move beyond winning with Fitz was to get Winston to ‘get it’. One game in and it’s a start. I was all for Winston sitting after Cincy but when the Bucs got to 3-7 I want to see if the sit down had an impact on decision making. 5 more games and we will know.
November 28th, 2018 at 11:43 am
Dirk lost my support when he didn’t start Winston for 3 straight games after the Cincy debacle.
I get pulling Jameis in the Bengals game and I sort of but not really understand letting Fitz start the next game vs Carolina – but keeping Winston on the bench for 2 more games after that was inexcusable and in my mind cost this team at least 1 or 2 more wins on the season.
There’s really no excuse whatsoever for not starting Winston after the Fitz led offense put up 3 measly points vs a not so great Redskins defense. That was an especially bad decision by the HC.
Maybe getting to 8-8 saves Dirk’s job. Maybe not. I’d be looking elsewhere regardless if it was my decision…
November 28th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
Koetter appears to be a stone statue standing on the sidelines. Keep him and I expect the same results. Winging it.
November 28th, 2018 at 1:53 pm
@Bucsfanman
bro youre right, cody grimm played his heart our for us, what happen to him? the last I knew he got injured and that was it
November 28th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Hey 813bucboi we had a HC who did just as you suggest that you do not like in a HC not directly directing the Defense. By the way his name was Jon Gruden. He did not do anything to Monte Kiffens Defense. Did you want Gruden back? All of the posters who Want to blow it all up, to what results? If we “clean house” who will we bring in to replace those hitting the dusty trail? How successful do we all believe this will truly be? Haven’t we done this a few times already and the guy who is brought in has to reinvent the wheel. I am for keeping the architect of this offense. Will we move forward or move on with our “franchise” QB who is to say that another HC will tolerate 2,3,4,5 games of multiple turnovers by the franchise? In all honesty they would bench him, because they are like coach Kotter trying to keep their jobs. Let us remember the grass is not always greener with another HC.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Pickgrin says
“Dirk lost my support when he didn’t start Winston for 3 straight games after the Cincy debacle.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I felt the same way, Pickgrin. — But I have to say, @Dapostman made some really good points above that I had not considered.
Is it just possible that Dirk, with the tough love approach, maybe just MAYBE… has finally gotten through to Jameis to help him make the needed changes to his game?
SF was definitely a start…. and a damn good one.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:07 pm
Kansas95- He was one and done basically. He hurt his leg at the end of his 1st season and in his 2nd season when he got hurt again, he never returned.
Just like that, gone. Too bad, kid played with heart.
November 28th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Vic Fangio…..you heard it here first!
November 28th, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Dirk lost my support when he brought mike smith back after last year and kept him on long after it was obvious our defense worst in the league again–same exact reason I want to see Licht get canned who is a bargain hunter at the expense of this team, Licht definitely has made some serious mistakes. Licht should get canned so he can spend every other saturday at goodwill on 1/2 off days.
November 28th, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Tampabaybucsfan
Look at the top 3 teams in the NFL saints, ram, chiefs.
Do any of those teams have defensive coordinators? Nope
If we hire a defensive head coach he will be fired in 2-3 years and the same Bucs cycle will continue. Now, hire a good DC and I’m with that.
Ask the Lions how their defensive head coach is doing.
November 28th, 2018 at 8:03 pm
Defensive head coaches**
November 28th, 2018 at 10:07 pm
Start deciding who is Koetter’s replacement. There’s no effing way this team finishes even 8-8. I’d be surprised if we beat the Panthers and I’d be stunned if we beat the Aints. Ravens, Cowboys, Falcons. I’m all on board hoping but even us dreamers know it’s not happening.