“They Call Him ‘The Wizard’”
February 28th, 2025
Jason Licht describes his new offensive coordinator.
It wouldn’t shock Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht if, under the watchful eyes of new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, the offense takes another step forward.
Asking for the Bucs offense to improve next season is a tall order. The Bucs, statistically, had the No. 3 offense in the NFL.
However, if Grizzard sticks around a couple of years (Bucs OCs have a habit of flying the coop after one season), Licht could envision an even better offense.
That’s what Licht sure seemed to imply when he talked this week about the hiring of Grizzard to take over for departed Liam Coen.
“We wanted to hire somebody from Lizard Lick, North Carolina, and he fit the bill,” Licht quipped at a combine podium in the Indiana Convention Center before assembled NFL media. “Josh did a fantastic job all year. Everybody in the building saw how smart he is.
“He is easy to get along with with the players [and] in front of the room, he was fantastic. They call him ‘The Wizard’ – a lot of players have mentioned that.
“I’m just very excited to get to see Josh in that role [of offensive coordinator]. I know he’s excited to get going. He’s going to bring some fresh ideas, which is always good.”
The fresh ideas are an interesting angle. If one believes fresh ideas lead to success, and Grizzard sticks with the core of Coen’s very successful offense, then maybe at some point the Bucs offense goes from No. 3 to No. 1.
And then Joe will be typing about Licht’s comments on yet another new Bucs offensive coordinator.
February 28th, 2025 at 3:59 am
Or Joe you could be writing about Grizzard taking over for Bowles in 26. I’m surprised you in the media haven’t asked about Todd coaching on his final year? Have the Bucs picked up Todd’s 5th year option? Even giving him the 5th year isn’t the same as giving him a new deal. Seems to me the Glazers are keeping their option of changing coaches open.
February 28th, 2025 at 4:42 am
Very excited for Grizz and what he will accomplish.
Reading between the lines of what Jason said, “He is easy to get along with with the players [and] in front of the room, he was fantastic.” Interesting choice of words or maybe I am reading too much into it. Either way, this is definitely an upgrade for our upcoming season. Go Bucs!
February 28th, 2025 at 5:08 am
Mauch is meant for pulling.
Our offensive line played better after we starting pulling people.
Mauch was a TE. He can run. Wirfs runs very well. He is great at pulling.
We need a freak athlete at LG.
Keep pulling linemen!
That’s the key to our new offense.
February 28th, 2025 at 6:14 am
So he really is “King Grizzard the Lizard Wizard.” Just a slight modification
February 28th, 2025 at 6:42 am
It will be a great irony if, one day, the “Bowles Coaching Tree” is up there with the McVay and Bill Walsh coaching trees.
February 28th, 2025 at 7:24 am
I like the call to name Grizz as OC, keep the playbook and bring in some Miami plays. Grizz just needs lots of reps calling plays so Licht needs a Madden game built for Grizz to call a few hundred plays a day.
February 28th, 2025 at 7:40 am
No one beats the Grizz!
February 28th, 2025 at 7:40 am
The only true Wizard is Ozzie Smith
February 28th, 2025 at 10:34 am
They won’t let the better coordinator leave the building again. The defense needs the same treatment as the offense. Fresh ideas. And that won’t happen as long as Mr Half and Half is calling the shots.
February 28th, 2025 at 12:28 pm
Leighroy. You and I may be the only people who get your reference to that band.
February 28th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
“And then Joe will be typing about Licht’s comments on yet another new Bucs offensive coordinator.”
Just for fun what are the odds that Grizz will be gone after one season.
Lighting striking THREE times in the same spot.
First – The Bucs have to win again with a powerful offense! That’s an absolute REQUISITE.
Second – If the O is great again and Jason and Todd craft an improved defense what are the odds the Bucs win another Division title or at minimum make the playoffs?
Third – If they make the playoffs they have an honest shot at the SB,,,,health and luck being a major consideration.
ERGO I posit the following. Think of the odds that the Bucs win the SB and Todd retires having won a SB as a Player, Coordinator, and Head Coach.
He gives it over to Griz the whiz!
Or perhaps just as likely if Griz isn’t really ready, Todd goes one more year.
If you honestly consider those odds you can see it’s just as likely Griz stays as leaves. Remember if the Bucs win 8 or less Griz wouldn’t even get a whisper of consideration.
February 28th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Lotta people seem to be missing the obvious King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard nod…
February 28th, 2025 at 9:16 pm
Maybe we can keep this guy for two seasons???
March 1st, 2025 at 6:04 pm
On point teacherman. My vote is to pick another boss guard 1st round. Then go defense the rest of the draft. 2nd round I’d like to see LVDs replacement drafted. He’s not gonna be here much longer.