“I Had To Duck Down Behind The Bench Because I Didn’t Want Anyone To See”
September 18th, 2018
Getting more personal
Dirk Koetter admits that he’s a private guy who doesn’t like to get too personal when he’s dealing media.
And that’s an interesting attitude for a head coach who has volunteered to take rapid-fire fan questions on the Buccaneers Radio Network every week. Joe gives Koetter massive kudos for that. It is typically a no-BS show not marred by the pedantic pablum often served up by Lovie Smith.
But sometimes, fans get personal and it can make for an awkward moment on radio.
On Friday, host Casey Phillips read a fan question asking Koetter what he is doing with extra time on the sidelines now that he’s not calling plays and all the associated stress and preparation to perform that task.
Koetter, like he had done with media previously, ducked the question initially.
“Eating hot dogs. They were delicious,” Koetter answered.
Phillips then got a standing ovation from Joe for pressing the issue. “C’mon, why aren’t you sharing with us?” she asked.
“I had to duck down behind the bench because I didn’t want anyone to see,” Koetter replied before getting serious.
“You know what I had more time for is talking to players individually, offensive players, defensive players, special teams players. I found myself going over to talk to guys that were out of the game more than I ever have before,” Koetter said.
And there lies one great benefit in Koetter being more free during a game, connecting with his players and flat out coaching. as well as spending more time with his coaches.
You can see a peek at that in the video linked here (though certainly that might have had the moment in there with O.J. Howard even if he was still the playcaller).
Joe hopes Koetter starts spending more time with the defense. He may think his defensive coaches don’t need or wouldn’t benefit from more of his input, but Joe thinks otherwise.
September 18th, 2018 at 2:27 pm
Nice read. Thanks Joe.
The chemistry seems to be off the charts for whatever reason.
I’ll take it. good to be a Bucs fan these days.
September 18th, 2018 at 2:46 pm
agreed Robert
September 18th, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Cool peak behind the scenes….DK is in on the prep week game plan and hears every play called and all the chatter brain storming …he can call any play any time…best case scenario ….AKA growing pains
September 18th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
And now you negative people know why predictions are useless. We kept saying the games are played for a reason and ya never know the record after 2 games. Especially before the season starts. It was 0-3 and hopefully the Bears will be the first W. Now the Bears look like the best team of the 4. What a league. And what a start by the Bucs. Sure is fun watching this offense right now! Keep it up Bucs.
September 18th, 2018 at 3:02 pm
Agreed Darin.
September 18th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
agreed Darin
September 18th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
disagreed darin 🙂
I predicted Fitz would play lights out.
September 18th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Belichick doesn’t call the plays, he is more of a ceo. I think you can get a good gauge for what is working and what the other team is doing by talking to your men.
September 18th, 2018 at 3:16 pm
I noticed from first snap of season how confident our O is. The way they carry themselves on the field has changed. That comes from talent, preparation, and grinding through a tough camp this year. I’m loving it! They believe, I believe too.
September 18th, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Hey just a thought, we got some ivy leaguers on the squad; what if Dirks let’s them use the fat brains to figure out some clock management.
He just played one of the worst clock managers in Peterson and let him off the hook just before halftime.
Maybe he could get some mathematical scoop on going for 2? Should we have went for it on our last TD…….I remember wondering that but could not recall how much time was left in the game when we scored, that makes a huge difference.
September 18th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
Tua 2020
September 18th, 2018 at 3:36 pm
I felt the same way about Fitz last year ,Robert. James was getting erratic and when Fitz came in I felt a sense of calm.
This whole QB controversy thing is overblown. It’s good to have two guys who can start and can both play lights out. Jameis will most likely defer if Fitz is at 4-0, knowing he is responsible for his current situation and will be ready to go when his number is called.
He may be immature at times, but he is a good teammate from what I’ve heard.
September 18th, 2018 at 3:53 pm
Fun read Joe. Anyone who doesn’t appreciate Dirk’s sense of humor must work for the media (except you of course). I actually felt sorry for Casey Phillips (she’s too young to appreciate his tongue-in-cheek humor).
September 18th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
I hope he goes totally ballistic if we go back to playing 12 yards off coverage on 3rd and 4th and 2-4 yards. Smith knew Foles wanted to throw slants, bubble screens, flares and middle of the field drag routes, so he was comfortable dialing up blitzes and playing press man.
September 18th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
He’s doing head coaching duties and overseeing the team as a whole now instead of being an offensive coordinator with a HC title. As a manager/HC you delegate responsibilities to your lower level managers/coordinators and you guide them in the direction that you want the team to go and trust them to come up with the detailed plan to carry out those ideas.
September 18th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Andrew Weidinger is asst WR/ Game management coach is a good coach and no dummy he went to William & Mary. I think he has done a pretty good job. The Bucs are fortunate to have him.
The Bucs game would have been over much earlier with a knell down with the Eagles not getting a last position if DJax would have gone down in bounds after his catch at the end of the game. That wasn’t Andrew’s fault.