The Todd Bowles-Nick Saban Approach
December 26th, 2024
So the Bucs have a seasoned Nick Saban/Bruce Arians/Todd Bowles guy on staff.
Assistant secondary coach Rashad Johnson is in his third year with the Bucs after being an All-American safety at Alabama with Saban, then playing for Arians and Bowles in Arizona. He moved on to the Titans in 2016 before retiring and spending years in the media. (Joe loves that.).
Johnson interned with the Bucs’ coaching staff in 2022 and was hired soon after.
Johnson, obviously, doesn’t do many interviews, but he was a quality guest on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week.
Are the Bucs playing with must-win, postseason kind of urgency now? No such thing, says Johnson.
Approaching every game the same is critical. They’re all in the must-win category.
“That’s something that I learned in college with Coach Saban; that’s something that I was reminded of with Bruce Arians and here with Todd Bowles, as well,” Johnson said. “During my time and tenure [with Bowles], you know, we approach every game the same. It’s not a playoff game at the end of the season; it’s a playoff game in September. You gotta win in September for them to matter in December. … They’re all playoff games.”
Johnson’s comments further explain why Bowles said he doesn’t feel compelled to talk to his team about everything being on the line against Carolina on Sunday.
“Not quitting” is key, Johnson added, which is a common comment by longtime NFL players.
Veteran players have seen guys take their foot off the gas for a play or two or more, and collectively that can be a problem.
Just imagine if Anthony Nelson wasn’t locked in four weeks ago against Carolina.
So Bucs coaches will keep grinding away on the basics and let players push themselves to raise their games Sunday to a level of consistency and intelligence worthy of a playoff contender.
December 26th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Their backs are against the wall and it’s business as usual. If every game is critical, then no game is critical.
Bowles better be upping the Bucs game this week. It worked for Gruden going into the playoffs, maybe sleepy Todd should try it.
December 26th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
Fire Todd it’s not that hard
December 26th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
“Not quitting” is key. Didn’t they quit in the Denver game ?
Veteran players have seen guys take their foot off the gas for a play or two or more, and collectively that can be a problem.
NO SH!T SHERLOCK ! Are team captains afraid to assert themselves?
So Bucs coaches will keep grinding away on the basics…
Like tackling?
…and let players push themselves to raise their games Sunday …
Then there is no need for coaches.
December 26th, 2024 at 2:29 pm
Looking forward to seeing Coach Bowles in 2025 with an upgraded defensive staff.
Go Bucs
December 26th, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Todd balls is dragging the Defence through hell , the Player are Great but the skeem is crap, Thats why they lost a lot of games and playoff games , Todd needs to go , ,
December 26th, 2024 at 2:35 pm
We need enforcers on defense, we don’t have any. We need a younger version of Suh and JPP. Go find them Jason.
This team lacks a killer instinct and it sucks to see with all the talent we have.
December 26th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Bowles & Saban should never be mentioned in the same sentence.
December 26th, 2024 at 3:01 pm
Deion Sanders Coaching Style: Deion Sanders, also known as “Coach Prime,” has a unique coaching style that has been successful in his college football career.
Military-Style Approach: Sanders applies a military commander’s approach to motivating his team, setting high expectations, clearly laying out the plan, and providing logistical support for success both on and off the field.
Accountability: He holds his players accountable, believing that honesty is the best policy, even when feedback might be tough for players to hear.
Attention to Detail: Sanders focuses on the small stuff, often reviewing uniform, merchandise, and apparel designs, and is not afraid to roll up his sleeves to help his team succeed.
Building a Culture of Respect and Discipline: He builds a culture of respect and discipline without micromanaging, and his approach has been successful in reviving college football teams.
Leadership Lessons: Sanders’ coaching style offers key lessons for business leaders, including the importance of clear communication, accountability, and attention to detail, as well as the need to provide honest feedback and support for team members.
December 26th, 2024 at 3:07 pm
Ask Greg Schiano how his military style approach worked in the pros…. These grown men not cadets
December 26th, 2024 at 3:12 pm
The Neon Deion post was obviously AI generated. I ask, with all his experience does he not know how to coach ?
December 26th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Pmike Says:
December 26th, 2024 at 3:07 pm
Ask Greg Schiano how his military style approach worked in the pros…. These grown men not cadets
^^^^^
Schiano was ignorant. “Toes on the line” was his display of that ignorance and does not compare to the true order of military discipline. Principles of military discipline can be applied to all aspects of life. Short order drills in the military and football team practice are similar in that they both attempt to get a number of men to function as a unit. A poorly coached team functions as individuals and not a unit. Deion knows what he is doing.
December 26th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Todd Blows and Saban should never be mentioned in the same sentence, EVER. Todd is confused by pass defense, clown can’t scheme it or teach it to his overpaid DB (Dean)
Gotta admit the mistake and move on from Todd.
December 26th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
guaranteed these players realize that some games are more important than others
December 26th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
I suspect that those who disagree with the military style approach to coaching have never been in the military. It’s all about strength in leadership. Our current military has failed because of weak civilian leadership. Leadership skills should never be confused with managerial skills. Leaders guide, managers manage. Leaders get others to follow in a straight line. When players don’t give (or refuse) their best effort, such as a certain linebacker #45 did, that indicates leadership failed to get the team members to function as a unit. #45 became all about the individual and not the team and yet the team leader rewarded him with a big “C” on his jersey. That was contemptible.
December 26th, 2024 at 4:03 pm
Good attitude to go by “No quitting and every game is considered a playoff game.”
December 26th, 2024 at 4:04 pm
Does a head coach lead his team to a super bowl ?
Does a head coach guide his team to a super bowl ?
Or does a head coach manage his team to a super bowl ?
December 26th, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Every game indeed a play off. That week 1 win against Washington may loom large in a week … ditto the Detroit win, it offset the second loss to Atlanta . We went 1 and two on our first place schedule opponents. We went 3 and 1 against nfc east. Let’s hope falcons finish 2 and 2 against them.
December 26th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
Looks like second year in a row I’ll get screwed on cpoy. Had baker last year ( somehow lost to 5 game flaco) and now I learn they changed the criteria
So my darnold ticket is screwed. Maybe I’ll get a refund? 😂
December 26th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
BS! This approach doesn’t reflect reality.These are grown-a$$ men, not college kids. You can’t cy about inconsistency and also say every game is the same. If the Bucs played every game like they did against the Chargers they would be undefeated right now.
December 26th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
Bowles needs to have his inconsistent DEFENSE fired up come Sunday. He needs to get on his podium. Atlanta will not beat Washington. This is our Chance.
December 26th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Assistant secondary coach Rashad Johnson?? Considering how poor the secondary is, is this someone you really want insight from?
December 26th, 2024 at 4:40 pm
That is extremely disgraceful to mention that knucklehead in the same sentence with a true quality Coach Saban!
December 26th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
I see Saban and Arians in Bowles they are just alike except Arians and Saban win games.
December 26th, 2024 at 5:02 pm
26-26
Offensive rank #3
Defensive rank #25
Doesn’t take a Mensa candidate to solve the riddle.
Bowles is the problem and will be until he’s shown the door.
December 26th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
The team should look to the comments section of JBF for a new HC candidate. 💡. Maybe we need someone who can bit#ch and whine the players into shape 🤣
December 26th, 2024 at 5:42 pm
Deion Military, huh?
Like Les Steckel?
December 26th, 2024 at 5:59 pm
They approach every game the same and are 50/50 his coaching career with the Bucs. If they don’t break through this season/postseason then it’s definitely time. The mediocrity is lame
December 26th, 2024 at 6:11 pm
WTF?
December 26th, 2024 at 7:49 pm
I looked up ‘loser’ in the dictionary and there was Todd Bowles picture
December 26th, 2024 at 8:37 pm
Miltary/war analogies are appropriate for football. Schiano’s approach was a caricature of military discipline. It is hard to describe to those without the experience. Also the Chess comparison regarding strategy and tactics is good.
December 26th, 2024 at 9:42 pm
SenileSenior Says:
December 26th, 2024 at 8:37 pm
^^^^
From one senior to another, well said. Don’t let the old man in.