Raheem Morris knows a rising coaching star when he sees one, and he's not shy about letting people know it. When it comes to Zac Robinson, the new offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris isn’t just optimistic - he’s emphatic.
“He brought Kyle Pitts to life, and Zac brought Bijan Robinson to a new level,” Morris said, reflecting on their time together in Atlanta. “He got better and better calling plays as he went along… I really think the Bucs are getting a superstar in the making.”
That’s not just lip service. Robinson’s impact on the Falcons’ offense last season was real, and it showed up in the numbers - and the win column.
Kyle Pitts, in his fifth year, finished with the second-most receiving yards among tight ends league-wide. Meanwhile, Bijan Robinson continued to build his case as one of the league’s premier backs, becoming one of only two players to top 1,400 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons.
(Derrick Henry being the other.)
Atlanta’s offense found its groove down the stretch, averaging 25 points per game over their final four contests - all wins. That late-season surge, though, wasn’t enough to save Morris’ job.
The Falcons moved on after a 16-18 run over two seasons, bringing in Kevin Stefanski as head coach. Stefanski chose not to retain Robinson, opening the door for Tampa Bay to make its move.
And it’s a move that could pay big dividends.
Robinson’s resume is still young, but he’s already earned a reputation as a calm, composed presence in the coaching room - a trait Morris noticed during their shared time on Sean McVay’s Rams staff from 2021 to 2023. Morris, then the defensive coordinator, got a front-row seat to Robinson’s development on the offensive side.
“For me, it was an easy decision to bring Zac aboard in Atlanta,” Morris said. “I was with him in L.A. and noticed he had this calm presence about him… where Liam could get a little out of whack.”
That “Liam” is Liam Coen, who served as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator in 2024 before leaving to take over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coen’s first year as a head coach ended with a 13-5 record and a spot in the NFL Coach of the Year conversation - not a bad act to follow.
Robinson steps into a role that’s become something of a springboard in Tampa. Before Coen, there was Dave Canales, who parlayed his OC stint into a head coaching job.
The exception? Josh Grizzard, who lasted just one season and oversaw a unit that finished 16th in scoring offense.
Tampa parted ways with him after that underwhelming campaign.
Still, head coach Todd Bowles has shown he can identify coordinator talent. He’s hired two future head coaches in recent years, and now he’s betting on Robinson to be the next in line.
If Robinson can bring the same creative spark and player development he showed in Atlanta - the same one that helped unlock Pitts and elevate Bijan - Tampa Bay’s offense could be in for a serious boost. And if that happens, the Bucs might not just be back in the playoff mix - they could be looking at their next breakout coaching star.