After a season that ended without a playoff berth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are shaking things up - and head coach Todd Bowles wasn’t bluffing when he said changes were coming. Less than two weeks into the offseason, the Bucs have already begun reshaping their coaching staff, signaling a fresh direction on both sides of the ball.
The biggest headline? Zac Robinson, formerly with the Rams, is stepping in as the new offensive coordinator.
Robinson brings a modern, quarterback-friendly approach - and that’s exactly what this offense needs after a year of inconsistency. His arrival kicks off a broader staff overhaul that’s starting to take real shape.
On offense, the Bucs are adding several key voices. T.J.
Yates joins as the pass game coordinator, bringing recent coaching experience and a quarterback’s eye from his playing days. Ken Zampese, a seasoned veteran with a deep resume, comes aboard as a senior offensive assistant and pass game specialist - a pairing with Yates that could bring a nice balance of fresh perspective and old-school know-how.
Chandler Whitmer, who’s been rising through the coaching ranks, steps in as quarterbacks coach, while Andrew Mitchell is now the assistant offensive line coach.
Defensively, the changes are just as notable. Tim Atkins has been promoted to safeties coach, and Rashad Johnson - a former NFL safety himself - is now coaching the corners. The defensive line will be under the guidance of Marcus West, and the team has also added Luke Smith as assistant special teams coach.
One addition that naturally draws attention is the hiring of Todd Bowles Jr. as a defensive assistant. The younger Bowles played at Rutgers and Long Island University after graduating from Tampa Jesuit, and now he’s getting his first shot on an NFL coaching staff - alongside his father. It’s a storyline that fans will keep an eye on, but make no mistake: this is about football, and the Bucs are looking to build a staff that can elevate a roster in need of a spark.
Chad Wade has also been named head strength and conditioning coach - a critical role for a team that dealt with its share of injuries and inconsistency last season.
The Bucs now turn their attention to the offseason roster rebuild. Free agency comes first, followed by the NFL Draft, where Tampa Bay holds the 15th overall pick.
With Baker Mayfield’s future still in the spotlight, the offense will need to find its rhythm again - but the pieces are there. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rachaad White - this group has enough firepower to bounce back with the right scheme and support.
Defensively, the core remains strong, but depth and development will be key. The new coaching hires suggest the Bucs are focused on maximizing their talent and tightening up the details - especially in the secondary and along the defensive line.
This is a pivotal offseason in Tampa Bay. The coaching staff is taking shape with a mix of youth, experience, and fresh ideas. Now comes the next step: building a roster that can get the Bucs back into the playoff picture.