Bucs Have A New Offensive Coordinator
January 31st, 2025
New Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
It appears the Bucs have found their man. How long he sticks around is another question.
Josh Grizzard, the 2024 Bucs passing game coordinator, was promoted today to offensive coordinator, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Yes, Grizzard is an in-house hire.
The good: Grizzard knows Liam Coen’s offense and worked with Baker Mayfield. Allegedly, per Coen, he was key in crafting third downs plays, whatever that means.
Grizzard, 34, also worked with Mike McDaniel in Miami, who comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree.
The bad: Grizzard has never called plays in the NFL or college. Grizzard was an offensive assistant for offensive Dolphins head coaches Adam Gase and Brian Flores.
Joe is hoping for the best.
The #Bucs are promoting Josh Grizzard to offensive coordinator, sources tell The Insiders.
A Yale alum, Grizzard spent seven years with the #Dolphins before joining Tampa Bay last year as pass game coordinator. Now the 34-year-old replaces Liam Coen as OC. pic.twitter.com/np3UQ448GX
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 31, 2025
January 31st, 2025 at 3:33 pm
Love it! Closest thing Baker has had to continuity!
January 31st, 2025 at 3:33 pm
Dave Canales never had any playcalling experience either and Liam Cohen only called place for a mediocre Kentucky team…. Grizzard will be just fine leading a very talented offense.
Maybe his offense will be able to execute basic handoffs in the fourth quarter of a playoff game?
January 31st, 2025 at 3:33 pm
He crossed paths with Ben Johnson in Miami as well. He’ll be just fine.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:34 pm
I’ve been pining for Grizzard for days. Keep the offensive continuity I say. I’m not worried about his lack of play calling experience Joe (squared). He’ll have enough time to get acclimated with training camp, joint practices, those awesome and highly beneficial preseason games. Plus he’ll have a butt load of help..passing game coordinator, running game coordinator, third down coordinator, red zone coordinator etc.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:34 pm
No experience calling plays…yikes. Huge gamble
January 31st, 2025 at 3:35 pm
As long as Baker signed off on it
January 31st, 2025 at 3:35 pm
Glad we can focus on Free Agency now!
January 31st, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Grizzard was my first choice. Continuity is so extremely important, particularly with the success we’ve had. It’s going to be fun to see how he molds together concepts from McVay and McDaniel, arguably the two best offensive minds currently in the league.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Also, assuming he has a good relationship with Mike Evans….. I’m sure the veterans we’re tired of these outside OCs coming in every year
Want to be able to cater to your Hall of Fame wide receiver especially since history suggests he only has one or two more years in his prime
January 31st, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Best of luck to the guy. Hopefully he can pick up where Coen left off. Which seems to be the intent behind this hire.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Grizzard was responsible for the 3rd down packages on a weekly basis. The Bucs ranked #1 in the league on 3rd downs.
He has been around a number of offensive systems. Yale educated and considered very bright and creative.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:42 pm
Shortly after this announcement, the Saints put in a request to interview Gizzard for their head coaching position
January 31st, 2025 at 3:44 pm
An internal guy will be much happier to keep and build on the playbook. And wow were the Bucs good on third down this year.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:44 pm
We shall see. But i like the promotion.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:44 pm
probably a good sign for Godwin stayin’
January 31st, 2025 at 3:45 pm
I am pretty good at calling plays for my sons flag football team if they want some one to school him on feeling out the rhythm of the game etc 😉
January 31st, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Think that’s a good hire. I’m sure Bake is happy.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:48 pm
Looks good. Yale man, knows Coen’s plays. He will be fine.
NOW to FIX the defense!!!
January 31st, 2025 at 3:48 pm
Meh, but I trust JL’s judgement!
January 31st, 2025 at 3:49 pm
Hopefully this offers some stability and continuity for Baker and the offense and the fact that he was key part of the passing game and third down, which the Bucs excelled at, is a good thing.
Hopefully, he knows what he’s doing with play calling and gets a lot of input and never lose a sight of the running game
January 31st, 2025 at 3:50 pm
I like this option much better than bringing someone new in from another club. This will be as close to continuity as we can get after Coen’s departure. Continuity is what it will take to improve on last year’s successes and advance further into the playoffs.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:50 pm
At least good to look at. No lack of a chin.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:52 pm
We better be careful. If coordinators and coaches keep getting plucked by other teams, they will soon be linked to the Bowles coaching tree.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:53 pm
He’ll be just fine… Remember Tom Moore is on that stuff… I believe he’s called a few games… And can give him some tips
January 31st, 2025 at 3:53 pm
I like that they promoted from in house.
Can try to keep things like last year as much as possible
January 31st, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Now let’s work on getting a good Defensive Coordinator
January 31st, 2025 at 3:55 pm
A continuity hire, which is good, but having no play calling experience makes this a risk.
Lets face it, with Bowles potentially being fired after ’25, he may have been the best candidate they could get. No experienced guy would go near this situation.
Best of luck to him.
January 31st, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Betting he spends some time with Bruce for a play calling clinic
January 31st, 2025 at 3:58 pm
He doesn’t even need to create a playbook, just add to the existing one. Perfect for building on last year!
January 31st, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Same system, don’t have to retool everything, great.
As for play calling – we shall see. Coen was exceptional there, and hopefully it rubbed off.
Bowles and Licht absolutely deserve the benefit of the doubt, and I’m sure there will be additional help for the guy if he needs it.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:00 pm
Grizzard the wizard 2025
January 31st, 2025 at 4:00 pm
I would have loved to have seen Scheelhaase and Grizzard as OC and assistant OC. Nevertheless, I am not an NFL personnel guy and Bowles and Licht has shown that they can make good calls on OC and other assistants. Now, who’s gonna be the DL coach?
January 31st, 2025 at 4:01 pm
I think they picked a winner !
January 31st, 2025 at 4:06 pm
Good.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:07 pm
Could have had Coen and a new D coordinator. The Bucs could have been contenders. Insert long sigh…..
January 31st, 2025 at 4:08 pm
Duuuuuu-valllllll
January 31st, 2025 at 4:12 pm
What are you talking about bucs are still going to be contenders wild go bucs next year is gonna be the season fellas
January 31st, 2025 at 4:14 pm
Hope I’m wrong, but U think they will regret not hiring Scheelhasse.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:18 pm
Great in house pick. Griz has earned and been due for an OC promotion in this league – he’s been around
January 31st, 2025 at 4:26 pm
And he has a chin.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:33 pm
Jeff
Liam Coen is currently the laughingstock of the NFL, im pretty sure the Bucs are confident in their X3 playoff coach who is actually a leader of men.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:38 pm
This is a good choice. I liked Nate, however Grizzard is promoted from within and has that advantage. No getting to know the system, he is already in it. Like that he is from the McDaniels/Shanahan camp too.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Looks and seems like an actual playmaker F coen he’s a snake sellout who only cares about himself I just want a good offense Bowles needs to step up his shit because another season of bad defense won’t cut it
January 31st, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Optimistic he’ll be good Bowles on the other hand and Licht need to fix this defense if they are actually
Serious
January 31st, 2025 at 4:43 pm
How important is having play calling experience?
I just kinda wonder how many companies hire someone to do an important job that has no experience doing a key part of that job.
I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:44 pm
do you interview all those candidates if you were confident in grizzard?
January 31st, 2025 at 4:48 pm
I think the whole he was a great play caller is a bit overblown. There’s the install and all the moving parts including input from every position coach, passing coordinator, line coach, etc. Total collaborative effort.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:52 pm
3rd down coordinator, didn’t Bucs lead the league in 3rd down conversion rate? Keeping in house is a good move, and every great coordinator had their first time at some point. He’s young, so maybe he stays around for a few seasons if he’s worth keeping. Now time to fix the Defense.
January 31st, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Good move! Right NPR Buc??
January 31st, 2025 at 5:04 pm
System continuity is key! The offense should be good. Now let’s find some defensive gems in the draft (cornerback, inside linebacker, safety) and add a free agent or two edge rusher.
January 31st, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Was that so hard? Kind of a no brainer keeping the same system that worked so well. Good luck young man.
January 31st, 2025 at 5:19 pm
I just want him to be aggressive. No bonehead plays as we’ve seen from someone else.
January 31st, 2025 at 5:29 pm
This is how it should be done
January 31st, 2025 at 5:32 pm
Dude is a Yale grad. I think he’s intelligent enough to call plays.
January 31st, 2025 at 5:33 pm
NICE ONE Lucky…
January 31st, 2025 at 5:36 pm
what did he study at yale? he may have had a full ride on a fencing scholarship
January 31st, 2025 at 5:40 pm
We can say this and that, we can say we have continuity. We can say all we want.
But the truth see we have to wait and see. We dont know what to expect from someone that has not called plays before. Could be good could be not good.
I cant say it was a good move or a bad move. Time will tell.
Go Bucs.
January 31st, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Finally an OC… but would have liked Thad Lewis as OC. Hope we keep Thad, even make him Asst OC if need be.
January 31st, 2025 at 5:54 pm
I will have to wait and see. Not a fan of this. Nick Caley was preferred option and Thad Lewis as the 2nd option and the best in house candidate. Lewis didn’t even interview.
January 31st, 2025 at 6:12 pm
Typical glazer do it on the cheap. Baker will actually be the oc.
January 31st, 2025 at 6:21 pm
REALITY CHECK
Leftwich was hot garbage. 8-9
Canales worst run game in NFL. 9-8
Coen was really good. 10-7
The defense will be better. 10-7 or 11-6 is going to happen.
Another Conf. Championship is inevitable with the current state of the NFCS.
January 31st, 2025 at 6:59 pm
I like it. I like it a lot.
January 31st, 2025 at 7:28 pm
These nfl teams have so many “coordinators” they need a coordinator coordinator.
January 31st, 2025 at 7:41 pm
We shall see.
January 31st, 2025 at 7:47 pm
With a HC like Bowles this guy will be Excellent
Bowles has shown his ability to Coach
Just asked Joe
Bowles is awesome and will make the new O.C. awesome
January 31st, 2025 at 7:58 pm
But will we be balanced?
January 31st, 2025 at 8:22 pm
Ses promising. I like the continuity, and also acting decisively to settle everyone down.
January 31st, 2025 at 10:02 pm
No play calling experience? Really? What does that even mean? These guys design plays and give the OC and QB options. Baker was also the play caller just as much as Coen was. STOP with Coen was a genius nonsense
January 31st, 2025 at 10:18 pm
“Whatever that means,” lol classic JBF We Do Not Know Ball-type comment.
February 1st, 2025 at 12:01 am
He is either a diamond in the rough or a piece of coal that thinks he is already a diamond. He is very intelligent and absorbs everything he sees. I am betting he is the diamond and will show it in 2025.
February 1st, 2025 at 12:07 am
He was responsible for 3rd downs and we were 1st on 3rd down conversions in the league. That is pretty good for it being his first season of doing that job. Lets see!!!
February 1st, 2025 at 4:11 am
Buccoarnie Says: “He’ll be just fine… Remember Tom Moore is on that stuff… I believe he’s called a few games… And can give him some tips.” True that!
What it is Says – Agreed. Thinking he is the diamond in the rough too.
February 1st, 2025 at 8:09 am
He proved his ability as 3rd down coach. We had our best 3rd downs this past season. Give the man a chance. We get to the playoffs, he needs to focus on beating our rvals, not scoping out teams for a promotion to HC. I know other teams are watching the Bucs, and our personnel. The media does not give us respect, but teams who never had a Lombardi watch us like hawks, like Jacksonville. Just the truth. Next year M1k3 will beat Jerry Rice. Then maybe the media will take a closer look, but we don’t need them. We win without media hype. GO BUCS!!
February 1st, 2025 at 12:33 pm
Hopefully he will get the Bucs up to speed on the biggest changes in the NFL over the past 2 seasons offensively-
1. Anytime you are in opponents’s territory 4th and less than 5 yards. Have your playbook ready to go for it on 4th down. Be prepared, don’t call a timeout unless the quarterback sees something on the defense he doesn’t like. Bucs cannot continue to punt or kick field goals on short 4th downs. This is how all of the playoff teams operate in 2025.
2. No more shotgun or running plays on 3rd or 4th and one. Bucs begin implementing what Buffalo and Philly do. Quarterbacks can get low, use their legs with push from an offensive lineman lined up to push them. That play is the highest percentage short yardage. Baker is a strong guy and can squirm his way to keep drives going.
The Bucs can improve their offense with those 2 changes.