Dirk Koetter: No. 29
July 17th, 2016
It’s that time of the year: Power rankings!
Joe’s not a huge power rankings kind of guy, but hey, it’s July. Gotta get the chatter going.
Elliot Harrison of NFL.com decided to cobble together a list of the best NFL coaches.. And though he is a rookie head coach in the NFL and has yet to lead an NFL team in any sort of game other than underwear football, Dirk Koetter is not ranked No. 32. Harrison has Koetter at No. 29.
29) Dirk Koetter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Koetter ranks slightly ahead of other newcomers in Gase and Pederson. This isn’t because he boasts college head-coaching experience, having served as the top dog at Boise State and Arizona State. No, it’s because he’s already put in work with the team he’s taking over. Koetter served as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator last season and did a fine job with rookie QB Jameis Winston. In fact, the Bucs finished fifth in total offense. As a first-time NFL head coach, Koetter will be learning the ropes of the buck stopping with him, but with the same group of guys he worked with last season.
Time will if Koetter is a decent head coach or just passing the baton to another coach in two years. Look at what Koetter did with the offense last year considering what he had to work with. It was a fantastic job. But he must get in the playoffs in the next two seasons. Given Team Glazer’s quick hook, and the team’s recent draft success, Koetter better get the Bucs in a meaningful January football game in the next two seasons.
Initially, Joe wasn’t keen on Koetter hiring Mike Smith as his defensive coordinator, but Smith has grown on Joe. He certainly will be an upgrade over the most recent defensive coordinator.
July 17th, 2016 at 9:09 am
I know it’s early on and some (most) would say foolish to say such things, but I just have a funny feeling this coaching staff could not only be the best the Bucs have ever had, but when all is said and done could but considered up there with the Bill Walsch coaching tree and the like. I know, this team and aforementioned coaching staff have yet to play a game, just call it a feeling these guys can do some great things.
July 17th, 2016 at 9:17 am
@Lunchbox – All I know is that I feel much better not having Lovie lead this team. It just felt too old school, old fashion, whatever. The game has evolved. With Koetter and Smith I feel like we are in good hands. Two coaches that have both pedigree and innovation, the latter of which was sorely missing from Lovie.
July 17th, 2016 at 9:33 am
29 is far… 3 things are guaranteed imo
1. The team will be prepared and motivated which they were not under lovie…
2. The defense can not be worse
3. The new staff will not go into prevent defense with a 3 point lead in first qtr. Smith ran it up on lovie in atl and koetter is not afraid of points like lovie was.
I predict 9-7 which puts koetter ahead of the incompetent lovie smith on bucs all time win list… i also predict it wont take long for this team and staff to surpass the dungy years *4 good years only) which were some of the most embarrassing offensive displays in nfl history…
July 17th, 2016 at 9:33 am
It’s tough to not think positive going into a new season, that’s an every season kind of feeling. Koetter will move up the coaching ranks.
July 17th, 2016 at 9:42 am
Tmaxcon is on point as always!!! You have to put the unknown at the bottom!! What we do know is if the Incompetent one was still in charge ( as the sheep wanted) this would be a 4-5 win team this season!!!! 8 wins would be a great 1st year!!! Seeing how it took coach my scheme 2 years of very soft schedule to just be able to get to that!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!
July 17th, 2016 at 10:29 am
I agree lunchbox, its not a feeling of false hope anymore, it really seems like this is something that could be very special. From the coaches to jason licht and winston and all the other pieces already in place. This is going to be something special!
July 17th, 2016 at 10:46 am
And there will be a game manager to advise HC.Innovative thinking from coaching staff.Timeouts called at the right time.For example two timeouts that puzzled me,believe they they were both in Washington game.Both were late calls and you could see the play develop.One on defense where our defense was set up to stop offense in backfield.another was third and short
and Winston moved to the left of spot to throw,another late timeout was called.can’t say that play would have worked but since they ran the same play
again it did telegraph our intentions.
July 17th, 2016 at 10:56 am
I’m thinking the Broncos and Panthers will have down years. That should get us off to a decent start.
July 17th, 2016 at 11:00 am
Who the hell is Elliot Harrison?? Never heard of him…..yeah, we are supposed to look at his words as gospel??
This is just ANOTHER meaningless survey/article/blog/opinion that is part of “the media”.
I bet 2 years ago Lovie Dovie was in the Top 10!! Where did THAT get us?
If you CARE what this guy writes about our new head coach – – raise your hand.
July 17th, 2016 at 11:05 am
“Time will if Koetter is a decent head coach….” Love your site Joe, but some days it really bugs me when you leave out words …😑
July 17th, 2016 at 11:14 am
There are three games that we MUST win. Make that three Teams that we must beat. Broncos, Falcons and Raiders. Make that four teams, 49ers too. I’ve got good friends that love this teams. A lot of bragging rights in the line for me this season! Go Bucs!
July 17th, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Koetter and Smith coached Falcons into winners. No reason why they can’t repeat it with the Bucs. Go Tampa Bay!!
July 17th, 2016 at 3:05 pm
As always..coulda/woulda/shoulda…and we are gonna do…I sure hope all of you..Nostradaemus’s are not disappointed.
July 17th, 2016 at 9:18 pm
First offensive coach since Gruden. Maybe we’ll get a similar result! I won’t hold my breath, but I’m hoping Koetter will finally solve our coaching issues.
July 17th, 2016 at 11:14 pm
Hulk big Bucs fan. Hulk like koetter. Hulk get confused though. Too mNg smiths. Hulk can’t keep straight. Brain hurt now! Too many smiths make Hulk angry! Plus Hulk fingers to big for puny iPhone4! Hulk not able to catch Pokemon on it either! Stupid puny phone!