First Bucs OC Candidate Surfaces
January 25th, 2025
Rams assistant Nathan Scheelhaase.
When Joe learned Liam Coen was the ex-Bucs offensive coordinator, Joe threw out the name of Lincoln Riley to replace him.
“Go big!” Joe thought. Now, initially, it seems the Bucs are looking for something less dramatic.
Per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Bucs like the Sean McVay tree from which Coen came. So the Bucs have requested to interview Rams offensive assistant Nate Scheelhaase.
The former Illinois quarterback has only been with the Rams one year. Before that, he spent five years calling plays for Matt Campbell at Iowa State.
(Joe knows a lot of football people are enamored with Campbell. Joe is underwhelmed. Look how Brock Purdy regressed each season under Campbell. The guy went from looking like a future star as a freshman to Mr. Irrelevent. But to be fair, Campbell is doing a solid job with Anthony Becht’s son, Rocco Becht.)
Of course, the Bucs are banking that McVay rubbed off on Scheelhaase.
Scheelhaase, 34, also was an offensive assistant at Illinois under Lovie Smith.
The #Bucs have requested to interview offensive assistant/pass game specialist Nate Scheelhaase for their offensive coordinator position, per source.
Former Illinois quarterback was Iowa State’s OC before joining Sean McVay’s staff in 2024. pic.twitter.com/ELXf6ct8nj
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 25, 2025
January 25th, 2025 at 10:23 am
They seem to be obsessed with the Rams coaching tree but I guess if it worked twice, keep on going.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Back to the pits we go until we find a Defensive Coordinator! Go Bucs!
January 25th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Nick Caley, should be next.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:24 am
And I cant see Bowles ever making a big splash. Just seems to not be in his nature.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Oh well. Hum de Dum De Doo.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:26 am
I don’t think Canales is part of that tree
January 25th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Not enough experience?
January 25th, 2025 at 10:32 am
No one ever gives credit to our roster. It’s always the people that’s making the play call don’t give me wrong lefty wasn’t the greatest but he had Brady to deal with. He can’t run. He can’t do anything but sit in the pocket we get Dave Canales and he gets all the credit for Baker Mayfield Baker is a Baller and he’s been doing this already now Coen steps in and everybody is D riding this guy like he’s the next coming of Jesus, our roster gets the job done bring in a competent offensive coordinator and will get to the playoffs next year
January 25th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Canales came from Seattle Pete Carroll tree Coen came from Rams/Kentucky Sean McVay tree Leftwich came from Arizona Bruce Arians tree. Hey Leftwich is unemployed I believe.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:35 am
so the goal is to get a guy who has the system down to a science, so to replicate it…?
who better than a quarterback type who’s been with the system…
sounds okay…i get it…
but i’d shoot for higher…
any success, and this guy pinballs his way outta here like greased lightning…
#SettingYourselfUpForTheSameOleSh!t
January 25th, 2025 at 10:37 am
Future cardinals coach
January 25th, 2025 at 10:38 am
Thank god, final we are talking about OCs. I think the reason they’re going to the Rams staff is to try to find someone familiar with Mayfield and the current offense
January 25th, 2025 at 10:43 am
I wonder if its Bowles or Licht that is smitted with the Rams coaches. Maybe both?
January 25th, 2025 at 10:44 am
Smitten*
January 25th, 2025 at 10:44 am
Joe, as far as that Lincoln Riley stuff, it’s not gonna happen. Riley has a 10 year $110 million contract at USC
January 25th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Maybe it is time to recognize that the common denominator between Canales and Coen was the personnel. I do think that both of the coaches did things to put the players in a position to succeed, but this “generational” talent talk about Coen is speculation at best at this point. The offensive personnel in Tampa is so strong that any decent coach can have success. The Bucs have a top five O-line, star receivers, a star RB1 and strong RB2&3 and a top 5 QB. If the TE’s can continue to develop this may be the best offense in the league. Go get a creative and organized OC and allow these players to continue to flourish. We all know the real work is on the defensive side.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:46 am
The only constant in BOTH the previous OC’s success is BAKER!!!
He’s had so many OC’s that by now if he wasn’t still playing HE would make a great OC candidate.
I lean more towards Thad Lewis. He’s a Dukie and he’s smart and has worked closely with Baker. His challenge is getting up to speed in play calling and overall strategy. He’ll be surrounded by guys with lots of experience including BAKER!
He has seen what works with the current talent on the Bucs. IE He won’t come in trying to gain fame and notoriety by reinventing the wheel!
The O is NOT broken. It’s the D where the work needs to be done and hopefully Jason has as good a defensive draft this year as he did on offense last year.
Imagine in one draft getting a starting Center, a solid #2 MAYBE better WR and perhaps a generational Running Back. Three picks on that level for the D and the Bucs are truly SB contenders!
January 25th, 2025 at 10:48 am
@EL HEFE have you ever heard of punctuation? Everything about your post is ignorant.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:50 am
I think they should bring in Antonio Brown Michael Clayton Johnny Manziel Colin Kaepernick or Donovan Smith as their new OC.👍 See how far that offense would get then. Antonio would run out after awhile Clayton probably wouldn’t be able to even hold onto everything in his hands since he dropped mostly everything anyway Manziel would probably be drunk while calling the games Kaepernick would probably be kneeling while calling the games & Donovan would probably get called for a holding penalty constantly if he was the OC since he got called for penalties constantly.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:51 am
^^^ see pic
he does look legally old enough to have his first drink though
January 25th, 2025 at 10:52 am
**University of Illinois**
On May 19, 2015, the University of Illinois hired Scheelhaase as the Assistant Director of Football Operations. Though he had been offered the same role the year before, he declined due to a prior commitment to a youth ministry in Louisville, Kentucky. In August 2015, after the firing of his former coach Tim Beckman, Illinois promoted offensive coordinator Bill Cubit to interim head coach. This opened a spot on the coaching staff, and Scheelhaase was promoted to running backs coach.
**Iowa State**
On January 25, 2018, Scheelhaase joined Iowa State as running backs coach under Matt Campbell. In 2019, he transitioned to coaching wide receivers. By 2021, he took on additional duties as running game coordinator and running backs coach. Prior to the 2023 season, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, succeeding Tom Manning.
**Los Angeles Rams**
On February 19, 2024, Scheelhaase was hired as a pass game specialist by the Los Angeles Rams. Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell expressed his support, saying, “Nate is going to do a great job. Honestly, this is an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. I love him and will miss him, but this is truly a great opportunity for him.”
**Iowa State (2018–2023)**
Scheelhaase coached several key positions at Iowa State, including running backs, wide receivers, and eventually as offensive coordinator. Here are a few highlights:
– **Running Backs (2018–2019)**: As running backs coach, Scheelhaase played a key role in the development of **Breece Hall**, who became one of the top running backs in the nation. In 2020 and 2021, Hall led the Big 12 in rushing yards and touchdowns.
– **Wide Receivers (2019–2021)**: Scheelhaase helped develop **Xavier Hutchinson**, a record-breaking receiver who was consistently among the best in the Big 12.
– **Offensive Coordinator (2023)**: As offensive coordinator, Scheelhaase balanced both the running and passing game, helping the Cyclones to a more dynamic and effective offense.
**Illinois (2015–2017)**
As running backs coach at Illinois, Scheelhaase helped develop several key players:
– **Kendrick Foster**: Foster rushed for over 1,000 yards and several touchdowns during the 2016 season, becoming one of the team’s standout players.
– **Reggie Corbin**: Corbin emerged as one of Illinois’ most productive running backs under Scheelhaase’s guidance.
Although Illinois didn’t achieve the same level of offensive success as Iowa State, Scheelhaase’s work with individual players, especially in the running back room, laid a solid foundation for the future.
January 25th, 2025 at 10:56 am
Hopefully, any contaminants or influences associated with Mrs Howell are already gone.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:05 am
The same way Marty Schottenheimer was in the booth as a consultant with his son, Brian who the Cowboys just promoted. Promote Thad Lewis and get Bucco Bruce in the offensive consultant booth. Lewis should be able to merge Coen’s offense and Bucco’s/Leftwich offense.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:10 am
On the bright side of frequent turnovers (that word again!), the Bucs must have a full dossier of candidates from recent OC searches. They must have a pretty good sense of the market and a foundation for beginning a good search. For my two cents, if Thad Lewis were truly a finalist last year, he’d be a good place to start (and maybe finish).
January 25th, 2025 at 11:25 am
Aren’t there offensive coaches on our staff right now , whom worked alongside Coen so that we don’t have wholesale changes. Continuity my friends, continuity.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Serious question even for the Bowles haters.
Is this OC opening not the plum prize of the entire NFL right now short of an HC job?
The last two TB OC’s are now HC’s!!! Think guys don’t know that?
The talent on the Bucs O is terrific, franchise QB and HOF WR and superstar in waiting Bucky!
And for the Bowles haters theres this. If Todd’s D stumbles and the team loses and he gets launched the new OC will have the inside track.
The Bucs will have NO shortage of candidates publicly and privately banging trying to get in.
Perhaps Jeff Darlington could actually take the time to investigate this.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:34 am
Congrats, Nate Scheelhaase (or whoever the Bucs hire), on being named the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns!
January 25th, 2025 at 11:35 am
Are we consistently going to promote young guys to OC so they can find success thanks to our players and then watch them get poached to HC some where else?
January 25th, 2025 at 11:44 am
You had me until you said he worked with Lovie. It would take a lot of showers to get the Lovie stink off of a coach.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:53 am
Is this OC opening not the plum prize of the entire NFL right now short of an HC job?
———-
This isnt serious. You are just looking for ways to prop your messiah up on a pedestal he doesnt belong.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Won’t matter who we get as OC until we can fix our Sorry A.. Defense. Score 99. But you..gotta stop the other team from scoring 100. And we did a lousy job of that this past season. Better Fix that Defense baby.
January 25th, 2025 at 11:58 am
I try to be respectful of those with more life experience, but hiring individuals over the age of 50 could be a mistake. The younger generation today is vastly different from those even 5 years ago. The world is evolving rapidly, and the talent in the NFL is younger, not older. While I understand and respect the perspective of older fans, it’s important to recognize that connecting with players is crucial for their development and for building a cohesive unit capable of contending for Super Bowls. The world is getting younger, and things are moving faster. If anything, we need to continue to tap into that “youth.”
January 25th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Replace the Head Coach and stop patching nail holes in the tire.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
The only way this revolving door of OCs ends is if we hire an offensive guy to be our head coach. We just let the next Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan leave out building some could keep the next Lovie Smith and his sub 500 career record as our head coach
January 25th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Replace the lousy HC with a quality offensive minded HC so the offense stays consistent and get a quality DC to fix this non-existent defense….
years of success will follow!
January 25th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
This is all Anthony Nelson’s fault. If he doesn’t cause that fumble against the Panthers in OT we lose that game and Cohen is our head coach
January 25th, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Anyone that’s been infected by Lovie should be passed over.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
St Pete … ‘The O is NOT broken. It’s the D where the work needs to be done and hopefully Jason has as good a defensive draft this year as he did on offense last year.’
I think far too many are missing the implications of your 1st statement. Bucs have a very SOLID OLine. We have a very good QB who fits our system. We have a solid stable of RBs, several quality WRs and TEs.
Our offense ranked #4 in the NFL last season in scoring, up from #20 in 2023 and #25 in 2022. That’s what most would call PROGRESS. That tells me that our coaching staff is doing something right; oh yes, even our Head Coach Todd Bowles and our GM Jason Licht.
Yes we just lost our OC, but we’ve developed a strong offensive system that works well with these players. We just have to find someone who can keep it firing on all 11 cylinders. I personally trust Bowles & Licht to do that a LOT more than I do the media or our fans. They’ve got a pretty good track record working together (the PROGRESS thingie?).
Yes our D needs work (actually a LOT of work), but the cupboard isn’t bare (we’ve got a pretty decent foundation), and this year we’ve got BOTH money AND draft picks to focus on improving the defense. There’ll be lots of suggestions from the maddening crowd about how to accomplish that, but in the end I’ll still trust Licht & Bowles to git-er-done.
In the meantime I’m gonna stay hopeful that the Bucs hire a REAL Defensive Coordinator (to truly be in charge of our defense, not in name-only like Rodgers & Foote were). There are still some excellent candidates out there. And IF we’re going back to the 4-3 (which I still prefer over what I’ve been seeing lately), we need to get a DC onboard quickly so that he can have an input into the personnel we draft & sign in FA. Some pretty significant differences IMO in the specific talents needed to operate in the 4-3 vs 3-4.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Purdy is a less than average qb, Campbell has nothing to do with him regressing. The only reason he looks this good is Shanahan.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
No DC = No future success. Bowles hit his ceiling last year and all division teams are improving.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Any type of high profile or O.C. with experience isn’t going to get interviewed. It would threaten Bowles ego and job security. Regardless 4-13 here we come
January 25th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Nick Caley would be a better pick. Try getting him before the Jets get him for their OC.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Rooney rule candidate. Like HC Buces need to interview 2 minority candidates. Bet is they stay in house.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:44 pm
Todd is 0/2 with his hiring of OC. Even his friends are leaving.
Who’s leaving next?
LOL people are shocked there isnt a lineup at one buc place to get the OC job. who exactly wants to be the OC for turtle bowles, afraid to come out of his shell when the game is on the line?
i guess time will tell…
January 25th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Thad Lewis or the guy from the Rams enable us to keep this dynamic offense in place which our players excel at. This is the perfect offense for Baker. Whatever we are going to do, let’s move quickly before the OL coach, TE coach, WR coach and RB coach gets poached by Coen. That would be the final insult.
January 25th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
@stpete and others.
Have you guys given Grizzard (our pass game coordinator) a look?
January 25th, 2025 at 1:03 pm
This looks like a big yawn to me.
January 25th, 2025 at 1:20 pm
This will happen every year as long as Todd Bowles the HC . I mean we winning a Superbowl with Bowles as the HC and that’s a fact. We ain’t going to the NFC Championship game as long as Todd Bowles the HC and I don’t hate Bowles at all I’m just calling it like I see it. Bowles is a DC not a HC because he’s to conservative when you have to take chances.
January 25th, 2025 at 1:50 pm
SPBF – agree that Thad Lewis is a good candidate – he’s worked directly with Baker for the last 2 years as his QB coach and would represent ‘continuity’ in a sense. Bucs could keep the same-ish offense and terminology they learned last year with Lewis as OC.
And as far as the Bucs being the best destination for any OC prospect – why not then swing for the fences and offer McCarthy $3 or $4M to come in and run the Buccaneer offense for 1 year….. assuming he doesn’t get the Saints HC job….
January 25th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Big thing is scheme and play calling.
Can not overstate how incredible of a job that Coen did at calling games – AND changing the offense to fit the talent on the field and accounting for injuries.
Coen ran out of a lot of formations, which really helped keep defenses off balance. Also Coen saw how inaccurate and inconsistent Baker was throwing deep, so he did something most coaches never think about, and just called less of those plays, instead focusing more on running plays that better matched Baker’s skillset. You’d think that would be something obvious – but I’ve been watching football for a very long time, and it’s a very rare quality.
With that said, I’m certain Bowles knows all of this, as well as Licht, and they’re almost certainly looking for those same qualities.
But keeping the same scheme is huge, ideally keeping the same language and everything. Not sure if that is possible if you go outside the building, but I guess we’ll find out.
January 25th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
@StPete … plum prize? No.
A) both OCs got HC jobs, yes. But both were hired by dysfunctional organizations and didn’t get anywhere near an interview from the rest of the NFL. Basically, they were desperate enough to take the job.
B) it’s going to be incredibly tough to follow the year Coen had and anything less would be a scar on the OCs reputation
C) the new OCs job will be tied to Bowles performance which is less than stellar. This could and probably will turn out to be a one year gig.
If I am a guy with a proven record, this isn’t the best situation for me.
We will wind up with an inexperienced, young guy who is just happy to get any chance — and that is a massive question
mark, especially if he conforms to the Todd Bowles style of offence
January 25th, 2025 at 2:12 pm
Pahpahmike:
Fully understand and you are not wrong. However, Riley may just be on the hot seat there. Also, if he returns to Bucs and does well, he knows it’s an immediate pathway to an NFL head coaching gig and he won’t have to worry about NIL and kids constantly whining about their bag.
Besides, Chip Kelly up and left UCLA last year out of the blue and took a gig at Ohio State.
Rod Munch is absolutely correct here.
January 25th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
@Joe … Chip Kelly left UCLA due to NIL money. He’s smart enough to know that money is the only thing that matters on college football.
UCLA does have the fan base, the donors or the inclination to compete at a high level in D1.
Kelly wants to be in the natty conversation every year and that would never happen at UCLA.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Throwing this out there Joe- since we keep getting poached here during the Baker boom why not play the same card on the league and go for Eric Bieniemy?
January 25th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Mike McCarthy! Bring in the Pittsburgh kid that everyone wants to get rid of. Would be overall great addition to staff too. Why are we always looking for a McVay disciple? Let’s look at who has experience and can really help Bowles, too! You just hand McCarthy the offense, let Bowles and co. tun the D
January 25th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
McVay does not hire idiots.
January 25th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
I like that he’s coached a lot of different position groups, but this feels underwhelming overall.
Hopefully they have some other targets in mind.
January 25th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Eh
I’m more curious about Houston’s OC that got let go. Same coaching Tree, most of the same philosophies. Didn’t do that well the first year with a rookie quarterback and this past year with some injuries but when they were healthy, Houston’s offense could roll.
January 25th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
@ Rod Munch
Also Coen saw how inaccurate and inconsistent Baker was throwing deep, so he did something most coaches never think about, and just called less of those plays
——————
ugh stop with this. baker had one of the highest completion rates in the nfl for passes 25 yds or more. he isn’t “inaccurate and inconsistent” with them. they started throwing more deep passes towards the end of the season because the oline had finally improved and he had more than 2 seconds to let a play develop.
January 25th, 2025 at 5:38 pm
sunny Says:
ugh stop with this. baker had one of the highest completion rates in the nfl for passes 25 yds or more.
————-
Did you actually watch the games?
If you did so, you’d see the offense changed dramatically beginning with the Eagles game, they went to a short passing offense that got rid of the ball quickly.
Baker, before that and during that time frame, had a stretch of games where he was something like 11 of 47 with 1 TD and 5 INTs on passes over 10 yards.
Baker is a very inconsistent and streaky passer on deep passes. How do you know that? Because they literally changed the offense. Even Joe asked about why the Bucs were using so much of a short game. The answer is two folded. One, Baker isn’t a good downfield passer. Two, the short game was working fantastically well – and Baker is really good in that situation.
You’re probably the type of moron who insists that Drew Brees was an amazing downfield passer and had the strongest arm in the NFL if someone ever points out he excelled in the short game. That isn’t a negative you nimrod. Find what players do well – and do that. Too many coaches are incredibly stupid, like yourself, and refuse to adjust. Coen excelled at that, and because of it, Baker had by far the best year of his career. If you care about Baker being successful and the Bucs winning, then you want another guy to come in and use Baker in ways that allow him to be more than the middling QB he’s been the rest of his career.
January 25th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
The differences in the resumes between Nate Scheelhaase and what Coen brought to Tampa are negligible. He has been a coach of practically every position on offense except offensive line. This would be a good hire. His offenses at Iowa State were better than Coen’s at Kentucky. I’d be fine with this hire.
January 25th, 2025 at 6:15 pm
i’m a bit worried…he looks 15 years old
January 25th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
his name is cool tho…
you can say:
“yo wud up haas”
January 25th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
Purdy was at Iowa State from 18-21. Nathan Scheelhaase never called the plays during any of those years.
January 25th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
You know damn well most of yall weren’t excited for Caneles and then last year Coen. A good 95% look at everything half empty.
January 25th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
YES El HEFE Says: BAAAAAMMMM Yes Yes YESSSSSS. This is and never was Daves or Liams team. The Bucs are Jason Lichts team. This is an easy fix Promote Thad Lewis and we win. Its that simple
January 26th, 2025 at 5:11 am
Yes go big. Good move interviewing Nate Scheelhaase. Thinking he is the perfect fit. And if he does well, he could be HC when Todd retires in 2 years.
January 26th, 2025 at 11:31 am
We don’t want an overpowering figure like Lincoln or chip. Baker was a five year collegial and entering his 8th Nfl season with his fourth team and too many OCs to count. He could be the oc at this point. Let the OC be a figurehead and Baker runs the show.