Buccaneers Promote OC Dirk Koetter, Name Him New Head Coach

After one year running TB's offense.

Image via USA TODAY Sports/Bob Donnan

Lovie Smith spent two years in Tampa and then he got canned. His record as the team's HC was 8-24. He finished in last place twice.

Roughly an hour ago his replacement was named and it's none other than the Bucs' offensive coordinator for 2015, Dirk Koetter. I don't know if that gets you pumped up or not but Koetter's offense was fifth in the NFL in total yards last year with a rookie under center (though they were 20th in points scored). The fact that other teams were considering Koetter as a head coach might be the reason why the Bucs abruptly fired Smith last week.

Previously Koetter was an OC in college, calling plays for six programs over 16 years, before becoming Arizona State's head coach from 2001 through 2006 (a period where they were pretty average). Since then he's been employed in the NFL, resuming his duties as an OC for both the Jaguars (2007-11) and a Falcons team that made it to the NFC Championship game in 2012.

Tampa Bay's filling of their coaching vacancy means there's only one more NFL HC position currently available. That would be the Titans job. This dude should update his resume accordingly.

[via Pro Football Talk]

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