Dirk Koetter’s Future
December 13th, 2015
Will Bucs OC Dirk Koetter leave for a head coaching gig?
Bucs fans sometimes have to rub their eyes, and it’s not from staring at photos of comely Rachel Watson.
The reason Bucs fans are blinking a lot watching games is that thing you see on the field when the Bucs have the ball? That’s an offense. An offense that runs the ball. An offense that throws the ball. An offense with a franchise quarterback. An offense that scores.
These things have not been seen around these parts since the before the last snowfall.
And the architect is none other than offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, the man who has groomed America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston,
In fact, Koetter has done such a wonderful job, including overseeing a total turnaround of the offensive line, from a sieve to a solid unit featuring two rookies, that Bucs fans are paranoid — with good reason — Koetter may bolt to be a head coach next month.
Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune understands these fears. But it is his take that Koetter likely won’t go anywhere soon, so Cummings told Pat Donovan and Aaron Jacobson yesterday on WDAE-AM 620.
“This isn’t the first time he has had a top-10 offense,” Cummings said. “He’s had three in eight years as a coordinator. He had one in Jacksonville. He had one in Atlanta. I would assume people came around to him at those times and said, ‘Hey, would you like to take the next step up?’
“I don’t think he is a guy that wants to take that step. I sort of think he hinted at it a couple of times that he is one of those guys who is very happy doing what he does. He always says ‘Stay in your lane.’ It is a big phrase of his. And I think he is a guy who knows what his lane is. He’s an offensive coordinator and he knows that. For however long he wants to do it, he can be a very good, efficient and successful offensive coordinator at the NFL level. I don’t think he wants to kind of ruin that image of himself and his legacy that maybe he is not cut out for.
“I’m not saying he is not cut out for it. He probably could do it. Has done it in college. I think he knows that on the NFL level he is a darn good offensive coordinator and he is very happy to be that.”
We shall see. Who knows if someone like Jerry Jones gets upset in Dallas and runs Jason Garrett and throws money in Koetter’s face?
Joe imagines that would be rather attractive to coach a team with a stud quarterback, astud wide receiver and a Hall of Fame tight end — for an an owner unafraid to spend cash or take chances.
Fear of Koetter bolting is not unwarranted. The Bucs seem to finally have their franchise quarterback. Just when Jameis is getting comfortable in the NFL, it would stink out loud for him to have to learn a whole new offense from scratch, possibly stunting his growth.
To hear more of Cummings, click the arrow below. Audio courtesy of Joe’s friends at WDAE-AM 620.
December 13th, 2015 at 8:03 am
Give him whatever he wants. Too valuable
December 13th, 2015 at 8:16 am
The best thing about his offense is unpredictability.
Better throw some money in his direction, you never know what he’s going to do.
December 13th, 2015 at 8:25 am
I’m with Woody on this one. Much ado about nothing. I say he goes nowhere.
December 13th, 2015 at 8:26 am
If I were the Glazers and another team offered Mr Koetter a head coaching position, Then you would have to think that the Glazers would have an offer for Koetter to head coach the Bucs on the table at least!!! Why would they let go the one coach who actually coached up his side of the ball???
December 13th, 2015 at 8:29 am
I would hope Lovie is Pounding his chest to Licht, telling him, it doesn’t matter the cost or title (As.HC.) MAKE IT HAPPEN! we all hated Warhop last year, wanted him gone. Lovie stayed his course., kept him on the counsel. Capt Dirk comes in, kept him…my point is, keep The Counsel (coaching staff) together. This is a young team that doesn’t need any change from the top. Now free agents will want to come here
December 13th, 2015 at 8:33 am
We have to offer Koetter the ‘Assistant Head Coach’ title and a pay raise after this season or we don’t deserve to keep him. C’mon, Bucs, make it happen!!!
December 13th, 2015 at 8:34 am
Glazers should do a preemptive move by giving Koetter a raise and a promotion to Asst. Head Coach….
December 13th, 2015 at 8:36 am
For being a ‘Realist’, you seem to be quite out of touch with reality.
Lovie is our Head Coach and he will continue to be our coach as long as we’re successful.
All we have to do is what I said above and then no team can approach Koetter about another gig.
December 13th, 2015 at 8:42 am
He seems like a good guy so I hope he gets an opportunity.
I feel a lot of other good coordinators would relish working with Jameis and Evans and the rest of the offensive talent that Coach Smith has brilliantly acquired.
Mike Shula should get a head coaching gig also.
December 13th, 2015 at 8:44 am
This is BUCutalkinbout btw, changed the screen name to mess with my homie
Haven’t changed my position though 10-6
YO JOE!
GO BUCS!!!
December 13th, 2015 at 8:46 am
Buc Realist: You are a wise, wise, thoughtful and perceptive man. Well said, sir.
December 13th, 2015 at 8:49 am
I think he should stay for a head coaching gig. #fireLovie
December 13th, 2015 at 8:51 am
Why not just ask him if he wants to be a head coach? Seems like a logical question to ask in one of those weekly press conferences.
December 13th, 2015 at 8:56 am
And since I know there are some confused, easily fooled Bucs fans I feel that I have to explain myself. My fear is that our team becomes great under Licht and Koetter, but never actually makes the leap to the superbowl because of our incompetent, slow minded coach who has zero ability to evaluate talent, yet does so on a regular basis. We will end up with a team for the ages, but still have 3 of “Lovie’s guys” on defense laying fat turds and losing us games.
December 13th, 2015 at 9:06 am
This is bar far the worst thing that could possibly happen to this team….Losing Koetter will send the offense into a tailspin. I said in the offseason the Falcons would struggle without Koetter…..in the beginning they came out strong, but now they are starting to sputter a bit without that masterful playcalling by Koetter. ‘
This guy IS THE ONLY WAY this team will have a Super Bowl run in the coming years. As long as Winston continues to develop, and Lovie keeps the defense improving, and Marpet and Smith grow….draft some good defensive talent and let this thing continue to grow. This is the most promising the team has looked in a very long time. They can’t let it get screwed up. Keep moving forward and keep Koetter at ANY COST!!!
December 13th, 2015 at 9:18 am
Joe, the last snowfall in Tampa was in ’77. We were in the middle of the worst losing streak in NFL history. I remember both.
December 13th, 2015 at 9:25 am
Been asked. Dances.
December 13th, 2015 at 9:39 am
Oh ok, thanks for answering the question Joe.
December 13th, 2015 at 9:44 am
Now I see why you fantasize about Rachel ! but what is “B”SPN ???
December 13th, 2015 at 9:47 am
Wyoming:
No problem! 🙂
December 13th, 2015 at 9:48 am
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
December 13th, 2015 at 9:53 am
So let me get this straight you guys want to fire the coach that hired Dirk and that has already won 6 games this year? I am not saying Lovie is the greatest coach alive but how do you condone firing a guy after drafting the right qb, hiring the right OC and staying the course with a defense completely void of recently drafted talent? I will never understand some of you guys.
December 13th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Some guys are just great at being second ranked but not cut out for top ranked. Speaking for myself, I’m one of those guys. The best #2 a boss could ever ask for. But give me the responsibly of being the top dog and I’m effing miserable. Koetter had a HC job before. Maybe (Hopefully) HC isn’t his cup of tea. He dances around the question because hes gotta keep them on edge so he gets more moneys. As Cartman the Royal Messenger would say, Its called having your cake and eating it too. Sure would great for us if that was the case. Probably just wishful thinking on my part
December 13th, 2015 at 10:17 am
This is what happens when you are successful. What else makes Koetter a wanted man is how well Kyle Shanahan is performing in Atlanta? Koetter is one of the best in the business at helping young QB perform at a high level from the pocket. He excels at creating a quarterback-friendly offense that allows young playmakers to thrive. Yes, Dirk Koetter is doing a fantastic job here in Tampa, however there are a number of OC and DC who are potential head coaches that are in front of Koetter including Denver’s Adam Gasa, New York’s Ben McAdoo and Arizona’s Todd Bowles.
December 13th, 2015 at 10:18 am
I’m with you @ndog. I’m not really a Lovie fan but no way does he deserve to be fired. I’m a true believer in the QB determining the fate of a head coach. There are many so called good or great coaches around that are great because of their QB. Lovie will be here as long as Jameis has success and if Jameis is half the QB I think he can be, that will be a long time.
December 13th, 2015 at 10:28 am
So let me get this straight FSuking, Lovie has no idea how to identify talent so you say. Are you saying that all of the hits in the past two drafts Lovie had zero to do with? You are only going to blame one individual for the misses (Lovie). Are you saying he did not recognize Alexander was our best MLB? Aren’t you one of the many that calls our GM a lapdog? If lovie can’t identify talent and our GM is a lapdog then who gets the credit for making these great moves? Shelton Quarles? Maybe you think its the season ticket salesmen at OBP?!?!?!? Guys like you are hilarious!!! Let this team grow please. The players like playing for him and respect him. That goes a long way in a locker room. Just ask Philly.
December 13th, 2015 at 10:33 am
@Realist
I’m not sure I follow your post…maybe I’m slow on the uptake?
Why would they let go the one coach who actually coached up his side of the ball???
Buc’s offensive ranking: 9th
Buc’s Defensive ranking: 8th
If the defense is ahead of the offense which coach is NOT coaching up his side?
Special teams?
December 13th, 2015 at 10:50 am
@Luther The last official snowfall in Tampa was January 2010, but it was very light and didn’t stick around very long. The snowfall in January 1977 was much heavier and lasted almost a whole day, my brothers and I had a huge snowball fight before school that day. We expected our parents to be really mad, but they joined in and we had a very memorable experience.
As for Koetter, here’s hoping he’s the offensive version of Monte Kiffin. A great coordinator with the potential to be a head coach, but would prefer to be a mad scientist and work with some of the game’s greatest players. Winston, Martin, and even Hands of Stone Evans are very intriguing players. Winning is fun, and it usually takes a franchise QB to win consistently.
December 13th, 2015 at 11:03 am
Johnny, I don’t remember snowfall in 2010. I remember a little snow in 1989 but that didn’t even register as snow in my mind.
December 13th, 2015 at 11:06 am
I said it weeks ago, Koetter is not going anywhere and I still believe that. If he did go that would be a minor speed bump because you ain’t stopping this Bucs resurgence moving forward regardless who is the OC.
December 13th, 2015 at 11:14 am
Sorry 37 but if you think the oc of this team in the future will have zero effect on how this offense would perform if they changed coordinators your efffing high
December 13th, 2015 at 11:15 am
There’s only one person who knows for sure what Dirk Koetter would do if offered a head coaching position. As Joe said, folks have asked him if he’d accept, and Dirk never quite answers. Why would he?
December 13th, 2015 at 11:45 am
Buccfan37….I agree so we both must be high. We have JW now and he’s been just as big of a bonus to the Bucs as Koetter. If not more, but some fans want to think it’s all Koetter and that’s their prerogative.
So I certainly agree it would be a minor speed bump anyways. Some of you act like Winston was or would be a nobody before Koetter. Don’t slight Jameis, because you’ll be wrong if you do.
December 13th, 2015 at 11:55 am
There should be a rule that insists OCs complete their first two years before being eligible for promotion outside of the organization.
December 13th, 2015 at 11:57 am
Buc1987 Says
“So I certainly agree it would be a minor speed bump anyways.”
I gotta disagree 1000% with you one this. NOTHING sets a young QB back as much as a change in OC right after his second year starting.
December 13th, 2015 at 11:59 am
I DO agree with 37 saying he likely will not leave. I just disagree that it would be a minor speed bump if he did.
I’m as much a homer as the next guy, but I try not to let it blind me. I think enthusiasm is getting in the way of reality.
December 13th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Why would Dirk Koetter leave? He’s only been here one year. He stayed in Jacksonville and Atlanta longer than that so he could build his offenses there. It takes longer than a year to build an all-pro offense. Tampa Bay was a total mess when DK came here. Got the radio on–GO MIGHTY BUCS!!