Report: Former Bucs OC Todd Monken In The Running To Be New Bucs OC
January 19th, 2023
Back to the future?
Joe read this and immediately dismissed it until Joe realized who was reporting it.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, a guy who Bucs coach Todd Bowles reportedly is interested in is former Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken. Ironically, failed and fired Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich replaced Monken when former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bruce Arians came aboard.
Monken, after a forgettable season in Cleveland, has been the offensive coordinator for two-time defending champion Georgia. He is largely given credit for molding former walk-on Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett into one of college football’s best quarterbacks.
Joe sincerely doubts Monken would return only based on what Monken had recently stated, that not every job is better because of money and/or prestige.
Joe hates typing the following but it is irresponsible not to address: Surely coaches who interview with the Bucs this offseason know Bowles is sitting on a hot seat. He had a losing record with Tom Brady. One more losing season in 2023 and Bowles is likely a goner.
The only way Joe thinks Monken comes here is if the organization promises to draft a quarterback in the first round and Monken will get an opportunity to groom him. That would buy Monken two, maybe three years.
And if said quarterback shines, that would put Monken in line for a head coaching job in the NFL.
Hat tip: @MattSinn.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:07 am
bring the man back into the building
January 19th, 2023 at 11:10 am
Whoa whoa whoa!
Let’s get a new HC first!
Bowles failed miserably as a coach!
We need a fresh start!
Need a BREAK from the past
January 19th, 2023 at 11:10 am
Cool. Maybe the Bucs are attempting to lure Tom Brady back for one more go around…
Firing coach Flatbilled Mouth Breather was step #1.
Step #2 bring in a competent OC…
January 19th, 2023 at 11:10 am
monken was good…
no monkey biz…good offense
January 19th, 2023 at 11:12 am
This is why I think the Bucs need to move on from Todd Bowles as well. If you can’t win with Tom Brady and all the excellent talent on both sides of the football then who can you win with? Going 8-9 with Tom Brady having a pretty good year and then getting blown out in the playoffs doesn’t really inspire much confidence that things will be better next year.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:12 am
should we be keeping an eye out for a sick stack of flat brimmed bucs hats hitting the ebay auction block in a day or two?
January 19th, 2023 at 11:12 am
Or Monken would be HC in waiting since he almost got an NFL head gig two years ago.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:14 am
Or maybe monkey likes Trask and looks forward to developing him. Trask or trade up for will levis. Kids gonna be best in the draft
January 19th, 2023 at 11:17 am
The most logical move is to also let go of Bowles while we can and right now is the perfect time to do so. Defense was OK this season but when it mattered the most, it collapsed and folded like a house of cards.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:17 am
Bring in Obrien, if the team stinks fire Bowels and promote Obrien to HC
January 19th, 2023 at 11:20 am
Joe – Not so far-fetched as it might sound. Saw the same thing, from a different source, yesterday or the day before. Hope there’s some truth in it.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:21 am
I don’t want him if it means drafting a QB in round 1. We need offensive help in the form of a LT, Guard and Receiver. Why waste a pick on a young QB when we have one already? Makes zero sense.
Also, why does NFL ownership insist on recycling coaches? You get a chance. If you fail then move on. Players don’t often get 2nd chances. Why should a coach? Ya. I’m looking at you Todd Bowles!
January 19th, 2023 at 11:24 am
I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Joe.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:25 am
OC for a college program is totally different in NFL. I highly doubt this guy can make any difference. Could be the same as Leftnut.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:26 am
Timely article at Bucs Report on Kyle Trask titled “The Concern Over Kyle Trask”. It dispels all the nonsense the haters have been spewing.
tinyurl[DOT]com/TheConcernOverKyleTrask
January 19th, 2023 at 11:26 am
Maybe the BUCS will draft Stenson Bennet if we get him as our OC
January 19th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Sign me up for Monken
January 19th, 2023 at 11:28 am
We’re one competent OC away from another Super Bowl run
LFG!!!!
January 19th, 2023 at 11:29 am
Reminds of Spurrier and Saban, college coach geniuses but as soon as they step in the big leagues, they crap.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:32 am
Ok so question Joe…i never really remember Todd M. Having any success in the NFL let alone the Bucs, he got kicked out the league, went to college where his team is superiorly more talented than 99 percent of its competition when it comes to personnel. He easily win two championships btw as a coordinator not head coach and now he’s first in line for a OC job for us again??? Lol help me out man what am i missing here. Heck I’d rather Bill O’Brien, i was really hoping we could snag cardinals ex coach who just got fired. Give me a young innovative coordinator who’s offensive minded
January 19th, 2023 at 11:32 am
Jack not if the HC was the problem.
Nothing for BA these days, huh!
Now get rid of ST coach
January 19th, 2023 at 11:38 am
We would need to give him a guarantee that he stays even if Bowels is fired… but our next head coach hire wouldn’t like that. So it’s probably not going to happen.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:40 am
Next to be flushed? TURD BOWLS
January 19th, 2023 at 11:41 am
Fire Bowels and hire him as HC
January 19th, 2023 at 11:45 am
Monken would have the stones to stand up to Bowles and tell him how bad his offensive philosophy is.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Bring Todd back, I wouldn’t mind seeing him fleet up to replace Bowels if Bowles isn’t let go this off season!
January 19th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Why the hell would he leave UGA in fact back 2 back champions to return to a team that he only got to call the plays maybe 5 games or so in 2018? Now I’m sure if they threw the bag at him he may consider but why are we worried about getting a OC when their is no QB on the roster but Trask? We look like the jets right now. Thats just like Bucs ownership think they can go rehire someone from the past. For example when GM was Mark Dominik and he got fired the Bucs thought they could hire back Rich McKay after he was GM in Atlanta then promoted to President which is the top guy under the owner I might add. So I hope the bucs get it right and move forward.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:54 am
How about Monken for HC, ala Morris years back.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:55 am
To think that there will be any improvement with Bowles still head coach is a pipedream….you cannot cure the disease by removing only a portion of the problem. No one can look at the Bucs season and contend that Bowles did a good job…and that includes Bruce Arians, BUD Light and the Glazers!!!!! Being the nice guy and waiting another year to ” give him a chance” DOES NOT WORK!!!! With 80 to 90% of the fan base desiring a coaching change what kind of support from those fans do they expect? My prediction is we’re going back to game tickets being left on car windshields…..
January 19th, 2023 at 11:56 am
#Collaspe4Caleb is on and I am jacked up today!
Thats the plan folks. This report proves it and the Baker Mayfield thing just was the cherry on top.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:56 am
Hire him and a D coordinator. Bowles might be able to right the ship, if he delegates to a like minded coach, perhaps Herm Edward’s if he would take the job.
January 19th, 2023 at 11:59 am
Go Bucs Says: “Maybe the BUCS will draft Stetson Bennett”
LMAO. He’s listed at 5’11’ 190 pounds, which means he’s 5’10” in shoes. You must be one of those “Anyone but Trask he might shine!” guys.
January 19th, 2023 at 12:01 pm
Good God, look at what he has done in Georgia!
The problem is this – Georgia is becoming a Dynasty, so getting him to leave may not be as easy as you think.
A few more winning years at Georgia, and Todd will be in line for an NFL Head Coaching position.
Plus, who wants to work with Todd Bowles ?
January 19th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
No qualified OC would sign on with this trainwreck.
Its a 1 year deal then you’ll hit the door with Bowles at the end of the season. No thanks.
January 19th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
why give a chance to Toilet Bowles ? he got 4 seasons with thre Jets and he proved that he is really incomptent. The Jets are still suffering from that incompetence. Do they think by giving him another year with the bucs to prove himself will make any difference. He was handed a ferrari and he crashed it in a ditch.
January 19th, 2023 at 12:04 pm
why give a chance to Bowles ? he got 4 seasons with thre Jets and he proved that he is really incomptent. The Jets are still suffering from that incompetence. Do they think by giving him another year with the bucs to prove himself will make any difference. He was handed a ferrari and he crashed it in a ditch.
January 19th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Step 1: Fire Leftwich! Done! Step 2: Fire Bowles! Needs to be done! Step 3: Find and hire a great HC. Really needs to be done!!!!
Step 4: Let new HC find and hire great OC!! Really, really needs to be done!! Step 5: Talk TB12 into resigning with Bucs!!!!! Really, really, really needs to be done!!!!!
January 19th, 2023 at 12:09 pm
What are we in for another rerun, let me see Bowles gets fired next year and Licht promotes Todd Monken head coach then Dork Cutter comes back as OC.
January 19th, 2023 at 12:23 pm
That would be a fantastic move. I’ve been talking about Todd Monken being pursued as OC for two years. What he has done with the Georgia offense has been phenomenal. It’s not a college gimmick. It utilizes the run, receivers, tight ends… It flows. Obviously, they need a little work on the O line and the big question is quarterback.
January 19th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Not happening.
Pie in the sky
January 19th, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Christopher Schiefen: My thoughts exactly, if we hire Monken, or another experienced, proven OC, and Bowles is canned, the OC would likely be in a good position to compete for the HC job. I don’t believe that Bowles being on the hot seat is a deterrent from landing a good OC, it may be a plus.
January 19th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Bobby Slowik. Take a flyer on a young guy who can be elevated to HC one day.
January 19th, 2023 at 1:36 pm
I love Monken but the Tampa job is in no way a better job than the one he has in Georgia. I think he is more likely to be a college head coach than return to Tampa as an offensive coordinator.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
jack sparrow you know that monken is an NFL coach right, and of the bucs
January 19th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Joe, how did dirk Koetter get the HC gig? Because Lovie was horrible and his defense, supposedly his strength, didn’t know what they were doing.
Sound familiar? Bowles guys don’t know how to play zone but at least they suck at man to man. If Monken can get 23 points a game out of the offense next season it’s a huge improvement. Meanwhile Todd will probably average 25+ points given up because he’s so smart none of his players understand the scheme.
Monken may get the HC job after Bowles proves he sucks as a HC once and for all and for the last time.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Koetter did a damn good job as an offensive coordinator.
Aside from his resume both with the Bucs and before he came to the Bucs, NFL history shows an offensive coordinator change after a QB’s rookie year is not good for the quarterback. The Bucs had a major investment in Jameis and didn’t want to damage is development with a new coach. So the team elevated Koetter.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:10 pm
The Bucs are making ridiculously dumb decisions.
Do one of the following:
1) Retain all current coaches and start Trask so the Bucs can get either the USC QB or the UNC QB with a top 2 draft choice next year after a 3-14 season in 2023.
OR
2) Fire all coaches including the head coach and try to retain Brady to try one more time to make a run.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Monkey had balls and I felt like he related to the players far better than Leftwich ever had.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:24 pm
No. The Bucs are finally making GOOD DECISIONS.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:38 pm
Not out of line to think Monken may like to bring Bennett to Tampa in 5-6 round pick. Knows his offense,mobile and can learn behind a vet wether Brady,Blaine or Brissett. Kid has Brees vibes and knows how to win.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Monken was doomed by Jameis, who even he couldn’t turn into a reliable NFL QB.
Maybe he will be intrigued by Trask, and shooting for Bennett in round 5.
Bowles cleaner is going to use the first four rounds of the draft on the defense, he is a defensive coach.
January 19th, 2023 at 2:45 pm
Yeah if does something with trask we’ll have him for one year, the way he plays that’s an automatic head coaching job
January 19th, 2023 at 5:58 pm
“Why the hell would he leave UGA in fact back 2 back champions to return to a team that he only got to call the plays maybe 5 games or so in 2018?”
Everybody in the NFL has massive egos (I say this as a good thing) and love challenges. There is nowhere for Georgia to go but down. Perhaps not very far and they’ll always be in contention as long as they keep Kirby Smart. He’s THE MAN! But for Moncken he may want the challenge. Remember he said he didn’t wish to move for simple $$$ or fame..he wants the right situation.
He would be in the catbird seat to an HC position if the Bucs stumble under Bowles again.
Tom Brady will always be the GOAT. All Buc fans should remember him fondly just as we do Brad Johnson. A Super Bowl is a MAJOR achievement for any team. But Brady is no longer anywhere near the GRN…Greatest Right Now.
Not sure he’s even in the top ten anymore. As Ronde pointed out he plays a dated style and requires major investments to keep him upright.
If Moncken could get Mayfield he’d have an NFL ready QB.
January 19th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Joe … ‘Surely coaches who interview with the Bucs this offseason know Bowles is sitting on a hot seat. He had a losing record with Tom Brady. One more losing season in 2023 and Bowles is likely a goner.’
I have no doubt you’re 100% correct in your bottom line Joe; Bowles is sitting on a hot seat & will be canned if 2023 goes south. That said, that MIGHT be the perfect scenario for someone like Todd Monken or Bill O’Brien to come into IF they do well on the offensive side of the ball.
I remember when Lovie Smith became HC in 2014 and promptly went 2-14 with Jeff Tedford then Marcus Arroyo as our OC. I thought the Glazers would fire Lovie after such a miserable season … but noooo. What they did instead was hire him a decent OC in Dirk Koetter & let Lovie focus on the defensive side of the ball (as I remember, he moved then-DC Leslie Frasier aside & Lovie took over the reins as DC). Bucs improved to 6-10 and THEN Lovie was fired.
So what did the Glazers do? They ‘promoted’ Dirk to HC and dual-hatted him as OC. He at least lasted 3 years, until Bruce Arians became available.
Question: Had Lovie been fired after his first season (2014), would Dirk Koetter even been considered for the HC position? I seriously doubt it. But he ended up in the perfect position just 1 year later to move up to HC. A similar scenario could very easily play out with the Bucs if they hire Todd Monken or Bill O’Brien, especially if they’re working with a new QB next season who does reasonably well his 1st year. Reality IMO is that with BL’s firing, Todd Bowles just became 2023’s leading scapegoat for anything that goes wrong. Hot seat indeed.
January 19th, 2023 at 6:13 pm
@joe those last few paragraphs are particularly insightful. Nice.
January 19th, 2023 at 6:41 pm
@DR
History tends to repeat itself in the NFL. Your thoughts were also my thoughts when I read that same quote from Joe.
January 19th, 2023 at 9:23 pm
I actually liked Monken as an OC…but no.
And why would any decent oc come here if Bowles remains? Knowing the job might last only a year???
January 19th, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Just curious. How many of you had Purdy at the top of you QB list for the last draft? Sure QBs are an important part, but sometimes the whole is better than the part. Which team would you have had more pride rooting for as a fan…. the 2022 Bucs with the immortal Goat, Tom Brady or SF with Mr. Irrelevant? Angling for a draft pick just strikes me as a high risk strategy, just ask your 4th round hero.
January 20th, 2023 at 7:15 am
Let’s go Kyle Trask!!
January 20th, 2023 at 12:39 pm
Flush the toilet Bowle, 4 years with the Jets and one with Bucs all 4 bad, you can see it in the faces of the entire team and staff. No energy. No will to win. But, as memory serves me right this is classic bucco management clinging to coordinator as a HC. Put Trask in!!!