Arians’ Hiring Philosophy
June 25th, 2020
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
This week, Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians opened up an interesting window into what goes into his hiring practices.
A big factor is if you played for him or coached on the same team Arians coached.
Now if we can turn back the clock roughly 18 months ago, it seemed certain the Bucs would relieve then head coach Dirk Koetter after a second-straight losing record in 2018 (reminder: Team Glazer has only retained one coach who had back-to-back losing seasons and that was the very same coach who won the team’s lone Super Bowl).
Despite the losing record, the Bucs were one of the best passing offenses in the NFL that year. There was a chance offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who succeeded everywhere he had been in both college and the NFL, might just be retained by the new staff.
And why not? Why fix something that wasn’t broken and led by a rising star of an assistant coach? But when Arians came on board, Monken and Koetter’s entire staff were terminated.
Arians later said he didn’t keep any of the previous assistants because he didn’t want to train them on what he demands; he was bringing in guys who already knew his methods and expectations. And given Arians’ age, just about everyone knew Arians would only be in Tampa Bay for the short-haul.
So why waste time coaching up coaches when you could otherwise coach players? Sounds reasonable.
Monken, despite an excellent resume, had never worked with Arians and likely Arians didn’t even know him, even though both had that same no-risk-it-no-biscuit mentality for throwing deep early and often.
Arians was part of a quarterback coaching summit this week and when he spoke, virtually, he basically announced why he didn’t keep Monken, who is now the offensive coordinator at Georgia.
If Arians hasn’t coached or coached alongside you, he’s not going to hire you, documents Albert Breer of SI.com.
Arians also pointed out how his very diverse staff is made up of a lot of guys he identified as potential coaches when he had them as players, which is something he hopes coaches get more aggressive doing. “These guys all played for me, so I had a long pool of guys I worked with,” Arians said. “You don’t hire strangers in my office, you hire guys I trust.”
So this explains why Arians is so tight with his assistants. He’s already had a relationship and a bond with them before they even came to Tampa Bay.
For the handful of folks who wondered why Arians didn’t keep a quality assistant coach who was as aggressive as Arians, here is your answer.
June 25th, 2020 at 5:32 am
Keep Monken in mind when you hear people say we don’t want anyone’s retreads. Very good coaches are out of work for all kinds of different reasons. Georgia got themselves a hell of a coach.
June 25th, 2020 at 7:06 am
The biggest take is that all of ole stale biscuit’s “guys” were Fired and Unemployed!!!!!!!!!! Plus ole stale biscuit needs his guys to have total loyalty!!!!!! Like guys who won’t rat when ole stale biscuit allegedly takes his afternoon nap at One Buc!!!!!!!!!! But the “real” question should have been when will this so called ‘win now” coach is going to win????? 22 wins – 25 losses-1 tie!!!!!!! That is ole stale biscuit record his last three years!!!!!!!!! 2016 – 7-9-1 , 2017 8-8, 2019 7-9!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why is anyone asking bruce arrogance about anything!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They should only ask how to get a job after being mediocre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was 5 seasons ago when he had a winning record!!!!!!!!!!! 5 SEASONS AGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whether the season is played or not, this needs to be ole stale biscuit’s last season!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 25th, 2020 at 7:26 am
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 25th, 2020 at 8:35 am
The cultural shift of this team is evident since BA joined the club and got his people. There is a sense of urgency, focus and determination on this team not seen since the SB era. Let’s go through some of the items this coaching staff solved.
Accountability Chart
– High first round lineman – replaced with someone better
– High first round corner – coached hard and flushed – unit improved once he was gone.
– No 1 overall draft pick QB – given intense, tailored coaching and Carte Blanche Didn’t show improvement in situational football. Replaced with the greatest of all time.
– Secondary got coached up and showed vast improvement.
– D Scheme produced NFL sack leader.
– Moved Godwin to the slot – unpopular, but the results show BA was right.
– Large coaching staff provided two practices at the same time. Backups get reps and will be prepared when ready.
Remaining items to solve from the last 10 years.
– Bring Special Teams up to average
-Reduce penalties – btw, I don’t take as much issue with aggressive penalties, it’s the dumb penalties I have a problem with. We should see a lot less penalties on O with the greatest Field General In NFL history.
The other deficiencies on this team that have been addressed.
RT – Upgraded
Safety- Upgraded
RB – upgraded – yes upgraded PB was a warrior. but had plenty of chances and didn’t earn a starting role. Rojo will get more touches and Vaughn will be a nice compliment.
And btw our next HC is already employed by the Bucs and will maintain our upward trajectory.
In BA I Trust!
June 25th, 2020 at 10:09 am
El Buco, it would be so enlightening if you could just please tell us more about your opinion of the coaching staff.
June 25th, 2020 at 11:28 am
TBBF, couldn’t agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 26th, 2020 at 8:21 am
Very interesting read. Thanks for sharing Joe