2017 Head Coaching Chatter
September 4th, 2016
NFL.com speculates
The moment defensive coordinator Mike Smith arrived at One Buc Palace he represented a giant question mark.
What happens if Smith, 66-46 as Falcons head coach, bolts Tampa after this season for a head coaching job?
Smith landed on a list of likely 2017 head coaching candidates produced by NFL.com. The stated logic by Connor Orr was on the money.
Mike Smith, defensive coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The New York Giants are typically held high as one of the NFL’s gold-standard organizations, and after they brought in Smith, the former Falcons head coach (66-46 from 2008 to 2014), for an interview this offseason, his profile gained a tremendous boost. Owners of teams not considered stable or patient might view this as a reference point when going after their next head coach.
Joe wouldn’t consider this a scary-big deal if Smith didn’t have complete command of the Bucs’ defense. But he does. Dirk Koetter admits it freely.
Koetter hired Smith not just because he was extremely successful with the Jaguars’ defense (2003-2007), but because Koetter knew he could trust Smith with total control — while Koetter focused on playcalling with the offense.
Most successful NFL head coaches get a second shot at a gig, and Smith obviously wants back in.
One could speculate that new defensive line coach Jay Hayes, who spent the last 13 years coaching Bengals’ D-linemen, would be in line to replace Smith. But that’s pure guess work. And Hayes doesn’t have Smith’s resumé or the same level of trust from Koetter.
This is why Joe is rooting for the Jaguars to finally have a winning season.
Expectations are high in Jacksonville, and huge pressure is on Jags head coach Gus Bradley. Smith is beloved in Jacksonville and appears to be the perfect replacement for Bradley.
Go Jags!
September 4th, 2016 at 10:52 am
Joe,
We’re going to need you to advertise the negative on this guy from here on out.. Thanks
-2017 Bucs
September 4th, 2016 at 10:52 am
Well considering he’s about to Quarternate a Superbowl winning defense in his first year with the team I’ll say its possible. But on the other hand I don’t hear much chatter about Wade Phillips leaving Denver either.
September 4th, 2016 at 10:55 am
The day Koetter brought Mike Smith in, AND Jay Hayes came here for the same position he held in Cincinnati for 13 seasons, it was obvious that Koetter was doing Smitty a solid to help him get back.into nfl coaching and Jay Hayes was probably assured he would be the next DC if and when that happens. Im not worried about the day we lose Mike Smith, Im worried about the day we lose Hayes. He is Arguably the best Dline coach in the league, and will be the main reason our defense has overall success this season. Mike Smith will for sure get another shot at headcoach in this league. If not next season then 2018. Then the same thing will happen with hayes by 2019 or 2020. So the bucs have 3 to 4 years to find Hayes replacement.
September 4th, 2016 at 10:56 am
I next year smith looks at the Bucs and say man I got a good chance at a super bowl here and stays
September 4th, 2016 at 10:57 am
Good problem to have
September 4th, 2016 at 10:58 am
LB coach Mark Duffner has a ton of NFL experience also.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:09 am
@Kevin, Hayes is good at the Dline, but who knows if he can run a good scheme in general?
I have been very impressed with the talk of Smitty’s scheme and defense. I agree with you Joes. If the Jaguars need a coach I can see him bouncing.
If its just some other random teams calling he might want to finish the job here.
2017 Superbowl is not out of reach
September 4th, 2016 at 11:14 am
LESS THAN 170 HOURS UNTIL TOE TOUCHES LEATHER FOR THE BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#STOKED
September 4th, 2016 at 11:16 am
Jolly, no telling until it happens. Juat seems to me that after holding the same position with the same team for 13 years he would want to move up and take on a new challenge. Otherwise why come to the Bucs? I would bet money he is our next DC. Im sure he has studied more than just coaching d line over the years
September 4th, 2016 at 11:51 am
We only have this moment. I’m focused on Atlanta. We have enough pieces in place to postpone this future worry.
We have a good GM…HC…several assistant coaches besides Smitty have great resumes…including Jay Hayes.
Hayes and everybody knows the situation. Do we not think Koetter and Licht and Smitty will be looking for the next DC from within this staff. This next year is a job interview for all coaches but for some Buc D coaches even more so.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:58 am
Didn’t Smith get a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens ?
September 4th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
First I really hope he helps turn the defense around. Last year’s unit was atrocious. The aggressive hybrid scheme should help. If the D is so successful it lands Smith a head coaching job then kudos he deserves it.
September 4th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
If we lose him, it will be because he built a winning defense for us…..I’ll be ok with that.
September 4th, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Better to live in the NOW and win some games before talking about coaches bolting for better jobs.
September 4th, 2016 at 2:37 pm
I for one would love to see Smitty move on to another head coaching position in the NFL. Not only because he’s an outstanding coach, but more-so because he’s an outstanding person from everything I’ve read. If he gets another HC shot, it’ll obviously be because he did well here, and would have laid the foundation for a much-improved Bucs defense for years to come. In that case, the Bucs win … and so would Smitty. Good guys really can finish first. I assume that you’re right-on Joe in regards to his replacement, and that Jay Hayes would become DC in that event. Again, that’s a win-win situation for Bucs fans.
September 4th, 2016 at 3:00 pm
I think that’s exactly why Hays was brought here. He doesn’t have Smith resume but who does? He leaves the Bengals after 13 years (even leaves his brother behind) . Do you think he here just for the weather. I was surprise that Smith wasn’t immediately picked up this off season. Enjoy him while you have him.
September 4th, 2016 at 7:34 pm
Even if it’s not Jacksonville, there seem to be 6 to 8 head coaching vacancies every year. Smith won’t be in Tampa for long.
September 4th, 2016 at 11:27 pm
I’m sure Smith being the professional wouldn’t pull up and leave one year after being hired back in the league by Dirk.
September 5th, 2016 at 11:37 am
Well I like Mike Smith but he made some horrible decisions in big moments as a head coach especially in the playoffs. He may be better suited for D coordinator