Lovie Smith Is Fired
January 6th, 2016
Simple as that.
Team Glazer is as sick of the incessant losing as every other Bucs fan and the hammer dropped on Lovie Smith tonight.
This is no joke.
Lovie has been relieved of his duties.
This tells Joe that Team Glazer has a shiny new Bucs head coach all picked out. Tom Coughlin? Team Glazer loves a big name and a big splash. An announcement of some kind from Jason Licht is due tomorrow afternoon.
The unacceptable December collapse of 2008, losing the final four games, got Jon Gruden fired. Losing 1o straight to close the 2011 season got Raheem Morris canned. A three game losing streak to close 2013 ended the Greg Schiano arrow. It’s long been said that Team Glazer doesn’t like to see the arrow pointing down.
Perhaps Team Glazer was reading the weekly Lovie Smith confidence poll on JoeBucsFan.com? Since the gruesome home loss to the Saints, when the Bucs came out admittedly “flat,” despite the season on the line with a 6-6 record, two thirds of Bucs fans here have voted “little confidence” or “no confidence” in the head coach. Laugh if you wish, but Team Glazer said it fired Chucky, in part, because of a community desire to move on.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:27 pm
Wow, hope we aren’t the Browns now, I thought Lovie did alright
January 6th, 2016 at 10:27 pm
Well we will duck next year now but hey the new coach will get a pass
January 6th, 2016 at 10:28 pm
WHAT???????????
January 6th, 2016 at 10:28 pm
THANK YOU JESUS. WE DID JBF POSTERS. THE GLAZERS HEARD US
#LOVIESGONE
January 6th, 2016 at 10:28 pm
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! THANK YOU GLAZERS!!! THANK YOU!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
It’s a new day in Tampa bay.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
PRAISE THE LORD!
I STILL HAD HOPE.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
This is a positive move. The instability will hurt in the shortterm. But longterm the Bucs need a different coach to take advantage of having Winston. It’s about winning as much as possible while he is in the prime of his career. No time for conservative, defensive and old fashioned coaching. Strike while the iron is hot!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
Whoa!!
Incompetent is as incompetent does.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
OMG!! NEVER BEEN HAPPIER!
#THANKUGLAZERS
January 6th, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Wow. Either there’s a huge name who’s interested and we couldn’t let it go, Koetter was about to jump and we needed to open the job up for him to keep him, or maybe there’s beef with him and Winston and the #1 pick won?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:30 pm
WOOOOOOOO!!!! Sorry Lovie. I know you tried but you just weren’t cutting it. Best of luck next time. THANK YOU GLAZERS!!! They do care about winning!!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:30 pm
OMG…so late in the night.
Must of looked at these fan polls online from JBF to Buc Nation.
Most of us wanted him GONE!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Please tell me Koetter is staying!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Koetter I bet
January 6th, 2016 at 10:31 pm
This is shocking
January 6th, 2016 at 10:32 pm
So I guess the Glazers are racists too?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:32 pm
I hope some of these loser players are next.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Oh ya!!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:32 pm
God answers prayers! Thanks Glazers
January 6th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
HOLY CRAP
I did not see this coming at all
My guess is that this is like what happened with Raheem. DK gets an interview, like Rah did with the Broncos, the Glazers don’t want to lose him so they unexpectedly fire the HC to promote the coordinator
January 6th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Koetter and Schwartz in 2016!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Finally!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Tell incompetent Lovie Smith to take those awful unis with him
January 6th, 2016 at 10:33 pm
Wow!!! So glad we don’t have to wait one more year
January 6th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
Wish Lovie the Best, Defense wasn’t cutting it. But still a surprise, only thing I can understand is if they fired him for Dirk Koetter…. They must have someone in mind already
January 6th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
I am honestly completely shocked by this. I mean, shocked doesn’t even begin to describe it.
I didn’t think Lovie had earned a 3rd year and I didn’t think he was the one to get us where we wanted to be…..but I didn’t think there was any way he would get canned
January 6th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
Ahhh….yeah! Could it be Coughlin?! That’d work!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
Where are all the “No way Lovie gets fired so stop sayin it” posters? LMAO. Happiest night I’ve had in a very long time. Now with Jameis and hopefully a competent coach, future looks bright!!!! GO BUCS!!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
well you idiots got what you want… now what?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:35 pm
Yea!!!!!
Koetter stays, they didn’t want to lose him.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:35 pm
Thank you Bryan and Joel, thank you. Give the job to Koetter if he wants to leave.
Thanks Lovie for the the suck that brought us Jameis. Now don’t let the door hitcha.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:35 pm
When you tripled your wins from last year but you don’t make the playoffs…
Panthers were nice to Lovie out of Rivera’s respect.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:35 pm
HAHAAAA!!! Take that you lovie butt lickers! xxx poo
January 6th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
I almost gave up hope. Thank you bucs fans for getting ourselves a belated christmas gift
January 6th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
Looks like Mariota and Winston both got their coach fired. Mariota sooner though.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
I will be happy as long as Koetter is retained
January 6th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
Wow. Shocked. I think this was probably the right move, but I’m shocked they pulled the trigger this soon.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
There’s going to be a lot of surprised peeps when they wake up in the morning.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
They had to do it, at least we know who won the power struggle, this is now Licht’s team. Promote Koetter and hire a DC who isn’t mired in 1998
January 6th, 2016 at 10:37 pm
yessssss!!!! dream come true for me. next thing to happen is promoting koetter to hc.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:37 pm
I really just don’t know about this. I was just as displeased as any other bucs fan with the way he coached but I thought he should’ve still gotten one more year. You guys weren’t seriously expecting an 11-5 type of year with a rookie qb were you? Then again I can see why they did it also. We need a new defensive mind on our team because the all time tampa 2 wasn’t working anymore. But I hope licht can find a great coach who can make our defense better.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:37 pm
And somewhere in Tampa the Big Dawg is screaming into a pillow that we just needed one more year to learn the defense
January 6th, 2016 at 10:37 pm
I’m gonna take a shot after this! I’m a happy camper at this point! Got my New Years wish!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:37 pm
Glazers were probably afraid to lose Koetter to the Eagles. Good choice.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:38 pm
heard a rumor it was gruden or kelly
January 6th, 2016 at 10:38 pm
So Koetter… right?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:38 pm
Yeeessssss!!!!
Greg Schiano laughing his ass off in Ohio! Koetter for HC please! Bajakian for OC. Then Koetter can get rid of all the defensive coaches and bring in a proper Tampa 2 DC.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:38 pm
LOVIE GOT IS OWN SELF FIRED BECAUSE HIS DEFENSE SUCKS!
Wisenhut did himself in to. Had nothing to do with his QB.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:38 pm
DIDN’T THINK THE GLAZERS HAD THE BALLS!! HOLY SH*T!
KOETTER FOR HC!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:39 pm
I expected this monday or not at all. I’m so excited I want to jump around like a little boy LMAO.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Creamsicle I feel the exact same way. Equally shocked and excited! Wow kudoa for the Glazers, maybe Jason lighte taught the how to cut lose when something isn’t working. So excited to see a competent defense to go with the Offense
January 6th, 2016 at 10:39 pm
Can’t help but think this was the right call!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
98bucsfan…I expected the defense to not look lost on every single play.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
The eagles were in hot pursuit of Koetter and they could not take the chance of losing him . Im almost pretty sure they promote Koetter to head coach.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Seige The Day!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
At least we didn’t cut any of our highly talented players yet (Verner banks) now we can get a real dc in here to work with some talent!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:40 pm
Wow! I am shocked! Not surprised but shocked.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
LOL cue the retards asking them to hire Jimbo
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Joe, your sites screwing up left and right comments are dropping off the site as people type.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Koetter HC, wouldn’t mind Schwartz as DC. But who for OC? The qb coach ? Or someone with more expierce. I would love to trade for Payton, an keep Koetter at OC but I would be afraid he would leave to the Eagles.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
I am torn.
I understand it, but we’re the Browns of the NFC. Whoever they hire, they need to make sure they let the guy last more than two years.
Reflects poor leadership at the very top.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Hey guess what – here comes Chip Kelly. Remember when the Glazers courted him but settled on Greg Schiano instead?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
I was reading up on NFL.com and seen it. I think I woke up the neighborhood!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Would not be surprised if Koetter gets the job, other than Mike Evans’ dropsies and ASJ’s lack of focus on the field, the majority of the members of offense came prepared to play every week.
Unfortunately, Lovies defensive players were completely unprepared for the weekly opponents.
I was somewhat surprised that many in the local media were convinced that continuity trumped futility in their notions that it would be year 3 of Lovie.
Thankfully the football side of his operation did the evaluation and saw a team with some decent talent that was playing down to second tier teams and losing big to backup quarterbacks that were literally coming off the street and devouring the Lovie defense.
Good luck to him, a very decent person, surely he is well taken care of financially and will be able to provide very well for his family.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Would love to promote Koetter. And keep GM
January 6th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
Nice work Glazers. I completely agree.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:42 pm
They got blown out the final four games by 3 bad teams. It was the right move.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:42 pm
Wow. We all assume it’s Koetter but what if it was Chip Kelly?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:42 pm
59 Responses to “Lovie Smith Is Fired”
I see 6
January 6th, 2016 at 10:42 pm
Says on the website Licht will be in charge of finding a new coach. Fantastic!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:42 pm
And on the birthday of Americas Quarterback. He’ll never forget that
January 6th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
wow
not a big fan but its 2 early
January 6th, 2016 at 10:44 pm
Thank you Glazers
January 6th, 2016 at 10:44 pm
LOL I was on another JBF thread pleading my case again. I re-clicked JBF in my favorites and jumped out of my chair. Woke up my wife from slumber and had to tell her.
Ding dong the idiots gone.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
I don’t want chip kelly he destroyed the Eagles. He will get rid of mostly all of our players. Would Winston fit his system ? I don’t think so.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Guys, it’s Koetter! U think it’s a coincidence this comes a day after the Eagles asked for permission to interview him?! We can’t afford to lose consistency!
It’s Koetter!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Wow!!! I did not expect this. I saw comments all week on here from a few that Lovie was getting canned. Did not believe it at all, Kudos to you. You know who you are.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Whoever the coach is has to be someone that is willing to work with Winston. I dont think he would fit in well with Kelly’s system. Doubt itll be him. Or Coughlin. Why would he quit NY to come to Tampa?..
January 6th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
If had this name for months. I don’t care if they hire jimbo or not
January 6th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Can’t wait to tune in to the big dog tomorrow. Why couldn’t tomorrow be joe nice fan day at 5 that would have been a great show. It’s not Tampa 2 you idiots. I just had Derrick brooks tell you it’s a version of Tampa 2 but not Tampa 2. It was Tampa 2.0 sucks.i hope when they fired him they made him watch a highlight real of every slant completion against his defensive. So he knows what us fans had to watch the last two years. and then show every penalty and every give up with 50 seconds left in half.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
Couch that’s AWESOME. They’re keeping Licht. Bonzai will have a coronary in the morning.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:46 pm
Any chance it’s Sean Payton?!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:46 pm
I just think it’s funny to hear Baby Dog eat his words lol. He literally called every fan and listener an idiot who thought he was getting fired. Stick to golf and betting my man.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:46 pm
Wow, I wonder if the Glazers and Licht had to get Jameis’ permission first
January 6th, 2016 at 10:47 pm
It’s Koetter!
I put my name on it.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:47 pm
Glazers need to find a good coach. 3 coaches is 7 years looks and feels bad. Is koetter hc material? Coughing is 70 and coming off like 3 straight losing seasons. This should be interesting. I do like idea of new dc and dumping this Tampa 2
January 6th, 2016 at 10:47 pm
I think it was Jameis’ presser that did it. I think the soccer brats saw that presser and thought why in the hell is the rookie QB calling out players and not the coach.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:47 pm
Why in the f*:k would you want a head coach without any head coaching experience? You are mentally challenge if you think Koetter can step right in and make this team competitive, Tampa bay browns here we come.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:48 pm
Bill didn’t say good or bad, but it’s gonna be the decision.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:48 pm
Old Bill …Koetter has been mentioned for HC in the past on a few ocassions while with the Falcons. In fact I think he was even interviewed before.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:48 pm
This is shocking. I would have thought the Glazers learned their lesson and try something different and depart from falling into the trap of the coaching carousel. Short of hiring Tom Coughlin (no guarantees either) I don’t really see how this makes the team better. This isn’t like firing Dungy to hire Gruden. This team is still far away from being a legitimate contender.
All of you guys rooting for this better have the same expectations of the next guy. My expectation for Lovie next season was 9 wins. I expect no less from the next coach. He should not get the pass.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:49 pm
Lavonte David isn’t mincing any words on Twitter:
“This is stupid, we can’t even have a consistent coach, 3 coaches in 5 yrs”
“Outside looking in, y’all wouldn’t understand how great of a coach/person he is”
“I guess yall got what you been asking for smh #bs”
I hope we didn’t just splinter this team.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:49 pm
They did this not to lose off coordinator. We drafted no defense talent but kwon in last two years and he didn’t even finish season. No talent by gm in free agency for defensive end or corner. Instead got rid of revis. He deserved one more year to improve defense we still had rookies trying to learn assignments. Bad move but I’m sure losing otter scared them.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:49 pm
And Joe said No Way this happens
January 6th, 2016 at 10:50 pm
D-Rome…I expect far MORE than 2 wins in his first season.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:51 pm
@87
The comments have been messed up for a couple days now on JBF. I thought it was just me.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Confused right now. Why did they let him do the press conference? Christ the Glazers are ruthless if nothing else. Happy for now but lets see who the hire is.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:51 pm
I understand the D-Cord from the Bengals is now a hot property
January 6th, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Promote koetter get Schwartz as dc and get Mario Williams in fa
January 6th, 2016 at 10:52 pm
1. Coughlin
2. Payton
3. Koetter
in any non-sequential order were golden.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:52 pm
cmurda …yep.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:52 pm
Congrats Koetter!!!!!
And Thanks to Lovie, For Bringing Us Licht, Koetter, and Jameis! But You Can Go Now!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:52 pm
They are bringing back Gruden, Mark my words!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:53 pm
If LVD has an issue he needs to look at himself and the rest of the players that Lovie couldn’t get anything out of. 8-24 is awful and worthy of firing.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:53 pm
No I think it’s going to be Koetter. Not saying I agree or disagree, but I will say, can’t do any worse.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:55 pm
Good guy, but his best coaching work was behind him a couple of years before he left the Bears. Coughlin would be AWESOME, but the timing of this move looks like a maneuver to keep Koetter from taking a promotion elsewhere. I’ll take it! Lovie was starting to sound lid Father Dungy with his “we just didn’t execute” refrain, and ain`t nobody got time for dat no mo`!
Let’s make a splash, Bucs!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:55 pm
Correct Couch….damn we just agree on everything these days. I guess Freeman was just a giant hiccup.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:55 pm
I would imagine at the end of year meeting, ownership asked for defensive staff changes and Lovie being Lovie balked at it. They now are paying loving $15 million not to coach. It will be Koetter which makes sense for Jameis sake. I Love Koetter’s attitude. Schwartz at DC would be a good hire.
At the end of the day, we would have needed a great GM, OC, DC, and terrific talent to win with Lovie. With all of that, Me, DallasBuc and Realist could coach the team. But I would only do it if I had final say on the roster lol
January 6th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
We have a franchise quarterback….is there such a thing as a franchise coach?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
I believe I said no head coaching experience , getting interviewed doesn’t count. I can interview for an engineer job that doesn’t make me an engineer.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
Gruden from what I read is only intersted in the Colts Job but, they resigned Pagano. I hope it’s not Kelly. Would be happy with Koetter, Payton or coughlin
January 6th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
Statement from Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer:
“After careful consideration, we informed Lovie that we have decided to make a change. I want to thank Lovie for his hard work and dedication to the Buccaneers during his time here. This decision was difficult on a variety of levels. I am disappointed that we were not more successful these past few seasons, but we are committed to doing what is necessary to give our fans the winning team they deserve. As we move forward, General Manager Jason Licht will oversee the process for finding our next head coach.”
January 6th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
Wow. im speechless, hey Joe I thought you said this would never happen and 6 wins would be enough???
January 6th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
@87
Im sure we’ll have some more disagreements in the future but Lovie was just to easy to see that he needed to go.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Buc1987, as I’ve told you time and time again one more win in 2014 and Mike Glennon is your QB and you would have complained that Lovie should have tanked for Jameis.
I’ll take Lavonte David’s opinion of Lovie Smith on Twitter over the rest of you clowns. In three tweets Lavonte spells out why this team has continued to be a loser.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Wow, i’m pretty shocked! This happened after Pagano and Peyton got extensions!! The Glaziers must have their mind made up on the next head coach!!
We’ll find out if this was a smart move or a DUMB move next season!
Some of the players are chiming in and they think that this is a STUPID decision!!
Oh well, out with the old and in with the new!! GO BUCS!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Old Bill …and how exactly does a coach get head coaching experience?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
I think we broke JBF lol
January 6th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Ha I called it!
January 6th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Still have to satisfy the Rooney Rule…
January 6th, 2016 at 10:58 pm
What are the chances this decision came more from Licht than the Galzers???
January 6th, 2016 at 10:58 pm
Glazers probably asked lovie to hire a real DC and fire his def. staff including his kids who coached the secondary, he probably said no and Glazers and GM had to do what is best for team
January 6th, 2016 at 10:58 pm
I hope we keep koetter at oc and grab us an experienced defensive coach. No to sean payton take ur blinders off people we need our draft picks.
January 6th, 2016 at 10:59 pm
He was not going to win us a championship. That was obvious after 2 seasons. Why waste anymore of anyone’s time?
January 6th, 2016 at 10:59 pm
D-Rome …well we just need to roll the dice again then. There are more than a few names out there right now.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:00 pm
I told you how the Glazers care just as much as us fans do, and they were tired of the losing as well. Koetter will become head coach, and Jim Schwarts will become defensive coordinator. Go Bucs!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:00 pm
Joes- where are all posts going? Please fix this.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:00 pm
Who is the Mike Zimmer that’s out there right now??
January 6th, 2016 at 11:01 pm
When I was watching Jameis presser I was thinking that he was doing Lovie more harm than good
January 6th, 2016 at 11:01 pm
it was going to be a depressing offseason for most of us that wanted him gone anyways. So with that said I’m ecstatic.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:02 pm
Damn, Im Gonna Sleep Good Tonight!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:02 pm
Mike10…well Joe seems to believe Lovie hired Licht so Idk.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Wow let’s see what’s in the future now. From where we’re at in the division things are looking up. He had his shot and blew it. Adios Lovie this is probably your last head coach gig.
I figured he’d get one more year but I figured wrong. His choices dropped the ax on him. I’m a little shocked but not unhappy about it. Hey Realist I know you call all his supporters sheep but I don’t baaaaaaah for no one.
Now if only Licht picks the right coach to get it right.
So how long we gonna have to read all the nah nah nah nah nah nahs! We told you we told you???
Like it was said we are the Browns of the NFC! New coach every few years! Come on Glazers get it right finally!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Are you donkey brained? I said I want one with experience…that’s the end of it.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:04 pm
A. When we were 0-2 with Greg schiano I posted “suck for the duck”. Jameis’ dad said he wasn’t staying Only reason it “wasn’t blow for the nole”. I said 0-16 draft Winston hire an up and comer and the glazers had one last shred of 2002 in I can’t gameplan during the week lovie and had to jump so they didn’t get parcelled. Won’t say Kelleyed cuz that arrogant overweight racist punk sucks at life. Time for us to nail the search. You people acting like its Koetter is so laughable. Dude Licht is a rockstar in that building. Right QB. Marpet. Evans drops and personal fouls will chill out when he’s 25 relax. Lavinte and GMC and of course Jameis all received texts and gave approval I guarantee that. Licht is in charge. We all dream of this chance. Your the gm. You have a franchise quarterback. Now the only thing from making 10 year tenure money is the wrong coach. Coughlin demands attention but rivals the schottenheimer debate. Eli and a glued helmet bailed him out. Good coach from my home town but chill out people. Our HC is currently throwing 50 passes a game in New England/Running an incredible defense in New England. One of those two or Gruden with Gruden with 0 draft ability are the options
January 6th, 2016 at 11:05 pm
Old Bill….can you answer the question without insulting people?
January 6th, 2016 at 11:05 pm
I told you never say never!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:05 pm
I had a feeling!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:05 pm
We just fired a coach with TONS of experience.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:06 pm
Daaaaang
January 6th, 2016 at 11:06 pm
I hope lovie goes to the saints so we can shred that defense up!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:06 pm
Maybe Lavonte and the rest of his teammates will learn what not playing up to par and not taking this game seriously will cause someone to lose there job. Maybe its time these players look in the mirror. Im glad Winston is painting the picture for the rest of his team. Maybe Lovie was better then we thought but his players did not play for him if that was the case. These young guys need to learn about accountability.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:08 pm
So much for our Not going to happen gang!!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:09 pm
The next firing. Mike Jenkins.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:11 pm
Some of the players are afraid a coach might come in and make them play to win or send their a$$ down the highway!!!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Josh mcdainel will be our head coach
January 6th, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Nice picture Joe. Lovie was getting prepared for the pink slip.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:16 pm
Good luck, coach Smith. I wish it would have worked out here.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:18 pm
We better not bring in Kelly. I can just see him making some decision like trading Jameis for Mariota or something. The dude is an idiot
January 6th, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Just got back from a poker game….just found out…..I must say, I’m a bit surprised but not shocked…..I think the 4 game streak tanked him along with the a$$ whopping in Charlotte.
Actually, I think we can make a smooth transition from here….and yes, I think they’ve picked a new coach already.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:20 pm
I told you guys unless something crazy happened like Lovie being fired, I was going to take a few weeks break from all things Bucs.
But now he’s gone! Whoooooooo!
January 6th, 2016 at 11:23 pm
As of right now, I’m not too excited until we have a coach who I know won’t get rid of our qb. Schiano got rid of freeman, then I started to like glennon and now my favorite NOLE is here and I don’t want him going anywhere.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:33 pm
98bucsfan You don’t have a thing to worry about us losing Winston. That would not be allowed by the owners or the GM. Also if it were to happen the rest of the season ticket holders like myself would be gone as well.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:34 pm
98
Agree with your worries although I’m not overly concerned. As I posted earlier today this is now #3’s team…not Lovies…not GMC’s…and now not the new guy’s either.
If the Colts had not come to terms with Pagano does anybody believe the new coach would have had the power to come in and say he didn’t like Luck so he wanted to go in a new direction at QB? Franchise QB’s are now more valuable than HC’s unless it’s a Pete Carroll or Bill Belicheat…and if Brady was younger I’m not sure he wouldn’t have more power than Belicheat.
I agree with Joe. They must already have a new coach selected. If that’s the case fine! Otherwise this is crazy. BTW the pressure to win now shifts from Lovie or even the new guy to the Glazers for me.
If Joe was demanding 8 wins for Lovie to keep his job..I expected at least 10 but perhaps that is high…8 is minimal for me at this point. This team has it’s franchise QB…it’s OL is now largely in place…one of the best tandems of RB’s in the league…and if the receiving corps reached it potential as in ASJ and ME’s hands…this offense is ready.
The defense has an all pro tackle…several serviciable if not star players like Clinton McDonald coming back…the linebacker corps is very talented if not terribly deep…the defensive backfield is a disaster. We are NOT that far away!
As for our schedule getting much tougher…meh. That’s all speculation and it never really matters in the NFL because the teams change so much year to year.
If this year’s schedule was weak…what was last year when a 7-9 team won the division. But just as the NFL East sucked unpredictably badly this year…something similar will happen again next year. I simply do not buy into schedule issues in the NFL…there’s just too much parity.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:42 pm
They should honestly pursue Hue Jackson. I think his name will come up as well if hes not hired but I think this will be prolonged as always until after the playoffs. There’s only one candidate whose season has already ended and thats Tom Coughlin I seriously doubt he gets hired too. Really is about to be major turnover this offseason believe that. Interesting is that Lovie was the only one fired on his staff. We have two candidates on staff as well which is Leslie Frazier and Dirk Koetter.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:49 pm
StPeteBucsFan….correct. Twas me that said it after the Philly game.
“This is Jameis Winston’s team not Lovie Smith’s and the players know it.”
January 6th, 2016 at 11:56 pm
History is repeating itself. Dirk’s the new HC. Just like Raheem was promoted from within when Gruen dropped 4 straight and got canned.
January 6th, 2016 at 11:57 pm
Said it before and I’ll say it again. Lovey is a looser. Glazers got tired of him saying that the team was on the edge of greatness. Also Lovey was unwilling to fire his relatives. Not sure but GM may be next.
January 7th, 2016 at 12:11 am
History is repeating itself. Dirk’s the new HC. Just like Raheem was promoted from within when Gruen dropped 4 straight and got canned.
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Except Dirk would have loads more coaching experience..even HC experience over Rah.
January 7th, 2016 at 12:15 am
I really like Lovie and really didn’t want to see the change this year but think about it buc fans ..Lovie have spent a lot of money on def..players that haven’t worked out..the def…made little progress this year with all the new CBS and DLs and then the team just didn’t have any fire in at least 8 of the games this year especially several winnable games against bad team that would have put the team into the playoffs. ..yes I am disappointed in team preformance but iam also disappointed in the Glazers for the messes they have created over the pass years with hiring R. Morris..G.Shicano I think we need a better ownership alone with a coach
January 7th, 2016 at 12:53 am
That nepotism finally did him in.
He rode that bromance with Jenkins, Frazier,and his Sons right on outta town!
January 7th, 2016 at 1:05 am
The guy was consistent and great in many ways but clueless in others. better to cut bait early if you see that kind of disconnect.
January 7th, 2016 at 1:09 am
Loving it.
January 7th, 2016 at 2:14 am
Well Joe are you gonna start calling Jamis Coach Killer like you did MM this year. Both are in the same boat now no matter how you look at it.
And yes both are equally good QBs.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:08 am
I remember posting on Joe’s previous article “Loser” that solely based on the last game performance that lovie was lucky to still be in the job on monday moring, that is job was not as safe has people think after the game a win would have kept him his job but it looks like even JW’s spontaneous outburst in defence of his coaches wasn’t enough in the end.
Like I said before OCs and HCs will be chomping at the bits to coach tampa with the star attraction in place already. It’s a damn shame that lovie will be on the outside looking in at the success this team is going to enjoy in the next couple of years.
The Glazers feel it in the air that something special is about take place over the next couple of seasons that is why they pulled the plug on lovie and are willing to take the financial hit paying off lovie. To all the lovie haters christmas as come early and I am not one of them.
January 7th, 2016 at 4:03 am
Listen, I was not Lovie Smith fan – felt there were more interesting head coaching opportunities to be had – whether you were inclined to go for a coach that has a more defensive or offensive-minded coach – but once you commit you HAVE to let a respected veteran head coach play it out more than 2 years!
I can’t believe I have to defend Lovie – but firing a guy from the Tony Dungy coaching tree, who had success as both a coordinator (St Louis) and as a head coach (Chicago AND a trip to the Superbowl) after 2 years? This is a classless move, and one that tells me the owners actually thought the defense was in much better shape than it was in. Schiano effectively stripped this team of edge rushers – at the moment edge rushers became hard to find. Schiano was NOT a Tamp-Two guy, his 4-3 played more like a 3-4. In fact, other than GMAC we weren’t even staffed to play THAT correctly?! No only did Lovie have the impossible task of dedicating most of the 2015 NFL Draft picks to developing an offense IMMEDIATELY (give Jason Licht all the credit you want on that), there were no edge rushers in FA and you just aren’t as lucky as you used to be at locating all your edge rushers and DB’s in the late rounds…THIS was the year Lovie was supposed to get his chance at stocking up on defensive picks that he delayed in order to draft a potential franchise QB and an offensive line with the first 3 premium picks of 2015!?
You can tell me it was because he didn’t want to relinquish personnel control, you can tell me that there were other issues of power for which he was unwilling to share…but overtime I look at Bill Belichick and especially Mike Tomlin…I am reminded of the long-term success of the programs in Boston/New England, and Pittsburgh…and can’t help but think that there’s a direct correlation between extending a good coach the TIME and support necessarry to become a GREAT coach – and the success of those franchises.
Here, we just keep firing them.
You can’t make the fans the problem – they won’t go to games unless the franchise continues to improve – starting over every few years won’t get you there.
Here’s something MANY of you haven’t considered – because you’re not bright enough to consider – if Koetters the head coach, what if he decides the best defense for his offense is a 3-4 (as was demonstrated in Atlanta, Pittsburgh and New England)? That means blowing up the defense while maintaining offensive development…
You’re on the clock…it’s been 6 years since our last winning record, 8 years since our last back to back winning seasons, and 9 years since our last playoff game.
When the Glazers fired the last REAL head coach prior to Lovie – they blamed the malcontent and spoiled fans – and the malcontent and overrated sports media. I told you all then that firing Gruden meant blowing up the teams and YEARS of BAD football while the next head coach used a few years to REbuild this team in HIS image of a winner…and H fired – no, I want ALL of you MEDIA TRIPE who told us it would all be better AFTER we fired Gruden, Morris, Schiano, and Smith – NO NOW IT”S YOUR TURN TO BE FIRED because THAT’S ALL you Tampa Bay sports hacks have accomplished with your daily, incessant, anti-head coach, anti-owner, garbage has gotten us LOTS of LOSING.
You’re making us despise this city, the owners and worse, OUR team! You have become LESS trustworthy, more reactionary, more incendiary – so most of the knowledgeable fans have simply stopped reading ANYTHING you have to say (unless it is to swoon over your complete incompetence in “educating” the kids who weren’t old enough to remember how you stabbed this franchise in the back when you were forced to work with a head coach who didn’t SPOON feed your lazy, know-it-all, arsses), and EVEN LESSS of what ANY of you have to SAY on an open mic.
Do us all a favor, disappear, go back to Philly, fishing stories or the editorial section. Tampa could use a nice distraction from reality and a few Tom McEwen-style breakfast columns. Yep, a nice break from all your narcissistic preening and crooning from whatever pen/mic is nearest – about your NEXT favorite, EX…head-coach-of-the-future.
We don’t need you to tell us what we already know, we don’t need you to make stuff up because doing what you’re paid to do is too hard…we need a distraction from working long hours, trying to stay afloat with a mortgages, insurance, braces, car loans, kids in college, going BACK to college, while taking care of sick parents, and returning college kids, and a host of other pressures too numerous to mention…a little camaraderie over our football team, our coach, our fanbase…would be nice.
I won’t hold my breath…something tells me they’re paying you about what you’re worth…so I guess there’s THAT to consider…
January 7th, 2016 at 5:35 am
Dirk for HC, Mike Smith for DC.
January 7th, 2016 at 5:35 am
wow
January 7th, 2016 at 5:36 am
WTF, White Tiger. Sorry your relative got fired. But it was painfully obvious the players, especially on defense, we’re not responding to Lovie. Glazers’ mistake not firing him, but hiring him first. Licht is building the core of a winner. He needs a coach who can use the core to extract over-achievement from the rest. Lovie didn’t do it.
You can’t compare Lovie with Bilicheck. Bill coaches up players. Lovie is a good person, but he doesn’t necessarily extract greatness.
Sign,
Pragmatic Tampa Bay Native
January 7th, 2016 at 6:37 am
man, i missed this…
I did ask if he could get fired if he went 0-4 his last 4 games back when we were 6-6. joes and everyone said no way. where are the fools who said some unpleasant things?
January 7th, 2016 at 7:23 am
https://youtu.be/y6Sxv-sUYtM
Nuff said !!!!!
January 7th, 2016 at 8:39 am
WTF…I take a night off from football news and miss the hammer drop!? Kudos to the Glazers for having the balls to do what many thought they wouldn’t. Even if they completely whiff on the next hire they’re at least showing that they’re not afraid to eat millions in an effort to try to provide the fans a product to be exited about. Count me amongst the re-engaged fans.
January 7th, 2016 at 9:34 am
My guess is that Dirk Koetter was getting a lot of interest for Head Coaching vacancies, and in order not to loose him, the Bucs promoted him preemptively! I also think it was the right move! Now bring in a good young defensive coordinator, and let’s build a dynasty!
January 7th, 2016 at 11:41 am
@STFU – maybe you missed Belichicks debut as a head coach…in Cleveland…where he stunk up the joint with an even WORSE record than Lovie?
That was a few years BEFORE the Patriots hired and committed to him.
Pragmatism is waay overrated.
January 7th, 2016 at 12:07 pm
What a joke. So, every potential coach now knows the owners won’t give more than 2 years. No patience at all. I don’t like this one bit. Just found out.
January 7th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Hardy Nickerson for DC