Two More Dive Into Offensive Coordinator Pool
January 1st, 2015
The recruiting landscape has changed
The news that rocked the NFL last night came out of Buffalo, where head coach Doug Marrone quit with a 9-7 record to take a $4 million buyout clause.
Reports say legendary general manager Bill Polian is going to swoop in to take his old Bills job, and he’ll hire Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich as head coach.
If that all goes down, then that means two more teams will be seeking offensive coordinators, the Bills and Chargers. So the current list of teams possibly hunting OCs would grow to nine:
Jets
Jaguars
49ers*
Falcons*
Bears
Chargers*
Raiders*
Bucs
Bills
*Still have coordinators under contract.
Five of those teams — Jags, 49ers, Falcons, Chargers, Raiders — have very favorable quarterback situations.
The Bucs, obviously, have to make the perfect call on their offensive coordinator. But now they’re competing more than anyone expected.
Thank goodness the Bucs have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, and not No. 2. That should make OC recruiting a lot easier. The first question any good candidate will ask is, ‘Who’s my quarterback?’
For those wondering, no, Joe doesn’t expect Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett to generate a lot of interest from Lovie Smith.
January 1st, 2015 at 10:49 am
unfortunately the second question is, Do I have to work under Lovie? then they say thanks, But no thanks!!!!
January 1st, 2015 at 10:54 am
I just want the perfect O.C. for what ever Q.B. we get let’s play to the strength of our quarterback,don’t force him into a system that he doesn’t fit in.
January 1st, 2015 at 10:59 am
Our offensive co-ordinator should be Chip Kelly. Rumours of a divide in Philly with the owner siding against Chip, It’s setting up perfectly to fire Lovie so Chip can come here to coach Mariota. I just hope the Glazers have the stones to try and get it done.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:05 am
@ The Buc Realist – The “Lovie Smith as OC killer” smack is about as useful and accurate as the J Wiston rapist stuff, which is to say, not useful or accurate AT ALL. Didn’t your mother tell you, if you don’t have anything nice, or in this case relevant, don’t say anything at all? If not, please give it a try.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:08 am
BucRightoff – No way Chip Kelly comes to Tampa as OC. That is as likely as Buc realist actually being a realist. Bucs fans do this to themselves every year, regardless the subject. Last year many posters here were all: “This team can go 9-7 10-6” and now this year we’re going to hear: “Chip Kelly will quit Philly as HC to come to a 2-14 team as OC”? That’s not just unlikely but ventures into fantasy football land.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:13 am
Lovie Smith coached teams are where offensive coordinator careers go to die.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:16 am
Back the truck up for Greg Roman.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:18 am
If Lovie knew what he is doing, we would not have the number one pick.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:20 am
Lovie’s gonna say we want a innovative offense but we want to really run the ball.
It’s about the future but it’s not about the future.
More Discount Double Lovie
January 1st, 2015 at 11:22 am
no way chip Kelly goes from a HC for so many years straight to OC for the Bucs under Lovie. He could get one of the HC jobs available or more likely would be go back to College. There would be a ton of schools lying in wait for him. Fire Lovie and hire Chip as our HC. Now that would be just the shake up we need…never gonna happen tho!!! One can wish. Atleast we would not have to worry about our offensive problems anymore lol
January 1st, 2015 at 11:26 am
Frank Reich once held the greatest comeback victories in both college and NFL. I always think of that when I hear his name.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:37 am
Joe, can we get a weekly Lovie undate? does the media get access during the off-season at any time.
It would be nice to know that he is working and not riding jet-ski’s in the Bahamas!
January 1st, 2015 at 11:42 am
BucRealist, you are either an idiot or completely ignorant, neither of which is an excuse for your ill informed opinions.
Lovie is known for giving his coaches free rein to do their job. When they succeed or fail it is on their own merit.
As much was stated in today’s issue of the St. Pete Times.
Try to read and listen more and open your pie hole less.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:49 am
Realist,
I don’t know about you but the less I hear from and about Lovie the better – he gives the media no substance when asked questions.
I enjoyed Jason Licht season end Bucs interview – I think this guy is a star in the making. He seems genuine, connected, knowledgeable and concerned.
If and when Lovie goes I pray that the Glazers leave Licht in place.
January 1st, 2015 at 11:49 am
So Lovie still has a job???
January 1st, 2015 at 11:53 am
The perfect guy that would make a great OC that can operate with any type of QB because of his vast knowledge and his ability to adapt would be Mike Shanahan. The 1st question would be could Smith work with Shanahan, a crass, known to curse, 2 pack-a-day smoker. His intangibles are impeccable and he knows the spread, and pro offenses from the many types of QB’s he’s helped design offenses around. The 2nd question would be does Shanahan aspire to be head coach again, and can he bring himself around to work as an underling?
January 1st, 2015 at 11:58 am
hire resolve….
January 1st, 2015 at 11:58 am
When did I say Chip as OC? Fire Lovie and make Chip coach. Who here would seriously not want that? Chip Kelly’s offense lead by his greatest pupil? Where can we sign up for that?
January 1st, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Scott Frost.
January 1st, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Am I the only one that read Buc right off. He suggested the bucs fire lovie and hire chip kelly to be head coach run the offense and get his qb back…..not come here as an oc. But this wont happen
January 1st, 2015 at 12:08 pm
@ChanEpic
You cannot talk common sense or honesty to Buc Realist. He is incapable of both.
January 1st, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Promptly cease and desist with the Chip Kelly talk.
That broken dream shouldn’t be had twice!
January 1st, 2015 at 12:17 pm
OB Says
“If Lovie knew what he is doing, we would not have the number one pick.”
Hmmmn. Let’s explore that comment.
When Lovie came, he had a plan.
1. Get Rod Marinelli to be DC
2. Get Jeff Tedford to be OC
Both fell through at no fault of his own. As to OC, it could be argued that he could have hired one mid season, once he knew Tedford would not make it back health-wise before the end of the season.
However, the options were minimal, so Lovie decided to stick with Arroyo through the rest of the season. It was a very wise choice, because now he has real options.
He wanted Rod Marinelli but Jones refused to let him go a year early. After the playoffs, Rod Marinelli will be coming to Tampa. Unless Jones offers him the head coaching job, of course.
The biggest question to me is, will Lovie be willing to fire Frazier, or would he just offer Rod Marinelli the Asst. Head Coach position and have him supervise Frazier (which I kind of like the idea).
January 1st, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Draft Mariotta and hire Scott Frost away from Oregon. That would excite the fan base.
January 1st, 2015 at 12:23 pm
More excuses for the King of Excuses.
Love Me Not has masterfully trained his minions.
January 1st, 2015 at 12:56 pm
If I were an OC I wouldn’t want to come here. I wouldn’t want to play “Lovie Ball” I would go someplace where I could fully implement my offense.
January 1st, 2015 at 12:57 pm
@ bucrightoff
“Our offensive co-ordinator should be Chip Kelly. Rumours of a divide in Philly with the owner siding against Chip, It’s setting up perfectly to fire Lovie so Chip can come here to coach Mariota. I just hope the Glazers have the stones to try and get it done.”
I don’t know whether to admire your persistance or to revel in your complete absense of reality.
For you others who are still calling for Lovie to be fired…..wow, how sad it would be to be sitting in your shoes….sitting around hoping for something that is not going to happen. Join the rest of us….who, like him or not, have moved on.
January 1st, 2015 at 1:02 pm
Mr Excuses.
January 1st, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Funny how some people – no names, make excuses for mediocrity but other franchises (Arizona) win 11-12 games with backup QBs.
Pathetic. Apologists
You’re the reason this losing continues because you stand for it and then make excuses (no fault of his owns – LOLOLOL)
Clock management not his fault???
Sad.
January 1st, 2015 at 1:27 pm
“DallasBuc Says:
January 1st, 2015 at 11:13 am
Lovie Smith coached teams are where offensive coordinator careers go to die.”
Comment of the year dude.. hilarious.
January 1st, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Lovie always said this is about long term winning. As a team, the bucs have been focusing on getting a SINGLE team to 9-7 or 10-6. That’s why this year was so important. Need to restructure then dump two bad Free Agents–Collins and Jones. Team will get its QB for the first time in 25 years. Needs: speedy WR,MLB, another CB, Safety, D-line help and at least two o-line starters. Busy off season. 2015 is the show me year. No excuses!
January 1st, 2015 at 1:47 pm
I like the idea of Frost, but I don’t see it happening, imagine he would go for a HC job in college before coming here as an OC.
I think Roman’s style would appeal most to Lovie. Bit of a run-first mentality in SF and a solid run-blocking line. He’s got experience with a young/mobile QB also so that could help if the Bucs are leaning towards Mariotta.
I think the o-line coach will be the most important hire this off-season though. Maybe we have some decent talent there and just bad coaching. Can’t wait to see how it plays out.
The Bucs have been terrible for a while but at least all the turmoil makes for interesting off-seasons and speculation. I mean, what the hell do Patriots fans have to talk about in the off-season with all that stability?
January 1st, 2015 at 2:11 pm
From an OC perspective the Chargers would be far more appealing than the Bucs… A good offense and QB that just needs some minor adjustments…
The Bills would be intriguing depending on the HC hire but again, like the Jets, No QB worth signing up for so what QB can be had that would make signing with them worth my time!
It is a business and OCs are looking to further their career, not take huge risks that could damper, damage or stall their career… The Bucs seem to be the greatest risk for an OC’s future.
January 1st, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Everyone that is saying Scott Frost, how about Mark Helfrich himself. Now that would be a hell of a land.
January 1st, 2015 at 2:31 pm
On the flip side of that, with the greatest risks come the greatest rewards. If an Offensive Coordinator came to the Bucs and turned the offense around to be successful, how many teams looking to hire a Head Coach would take a look at the OC that made the Bucs a success?
January 1st, 2015 at 2:33 pm
People just love to hate Love on this site. Much of it is unfounded.
January 1st, 2015 at 2:47 pm
That sounds good in theory but what person would chance their entire future on a theory? The chances are far greater for failure than for success so the OC will want to take the lowest risk for the sake of his career as well as for his family…
In order for your scenario to have any chance the OC who would take that chance would really have to have supreme confidence in himself AND that Lovie would not sabotage him in any way…
January 1st, 2015 at 3:24 pm
@Tyre
That risk is there no matter what team they go to. It doesn’t take much for a head coaching change these days, and when it happens, most of the staff does too.
Off topic:
On the Bucs refusing the Senior Bowl (coaching it), he really had no choice. He doesn’t have a complete staff, and the new hires, even if in place by then, will not have settled in yet.
January 1st, 2015 at 3:32 pm
I have little doubt Marinelli is coming to.Tampa as an assistant head coach. We absolutely must keep Frazier, he’s a great defensive mind.
As for offensive coordinator position, I know we will make the right hire. I think L&L are going to watch the Rose Bowl tonight and decide who tbey want and THEN hire the offensive coordinator who can develop the rookie the best. I expect a hire either this weekend or right after the national championship game. There is some beauty to how this is all playing out. Tedford didnt work out but we’re going to be in a better situation with a top.rookie and better o coordinator.
January 1st, 2015 at 4:51 pm
If I were an owner looking to hire a Head Coach, I think I would really look long and hard at the OC who was confident enough in himself to take that risk and turn a terrible team around. That kind of confidence and leadership would weigh heavily in that OC’s favor, as opposed to the one who took a safe job with an already established team. If I’m looking for a Head Coach, it’s because my team is in dire straights, and I’m looking for someone capable, and confident enough, to fix it. The guy gutsy enough and skilled enough to turn this franchise around…I’ll take that guy.