The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are making it clear: they're not content with mediocrity. After wrapping up a disappointing 8-9 campaign and missing the playoffs, the front office is wasting no time reshaping the coaching staff - and they’re swinging big.
The first domino to fall was offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, who was let go after an offense that looked better on paper than it did on the field. The Bucs didn’t just go shopping for a replacement - they went hunting for a game-changer.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Tampa Bay had lined up an interview with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for the OC role. That was before McDaniel ultimately took the job with the Chargers, choosing Los Angeles over other suitors.
McDaniel had already been in the mix for the Lions’ offensive coordinator job and even interviewed for the Titans’ head coaching vacancy. In the end, he landed with a Chargers team looking to reboot its offense around a franchise quarterback.
But Tampa’s pursuit of McDaniel speaks volumes. They weren’t just looking to fill a seat - they were aiming to inject creativity and leadership into an offense that has the pieces but hasn’t quite put it all together.
And it wasn’t just the offensive side where the Bucs tried to make a splash. On defense, the team made an ambitious - albeit unsuccessful - inquiry into former Bills head coach Sean McDermott.
Per Sal Capaccio, via Greg Auman, Tampa Bay reached out to gauge McDermott’s interest in joining Todd Bowles’ staff. That would’ve been a bold hire - pairing two defensive-minded coaches with head coaching experience could’ve brought a new level of strategic depth to the unit.
But that door appears closed. McDermott, after parting ways with Buffalo, is reportedly planning to take the year off rather than jump back into coaching right away. Still, the fact that the Bucs even made the call tells you everything about their mindset: they want proven leaders in the building.
While those two swings didn’t land, Tampa Bay did connect on special teams - and in a big way. The Bucs have hired Danny Smith as their new special teams coordinator, according to Jeremy Fowler. Smith is as seasoned as they come, bringing with him 50 years of coaching experience, including the last 13 alongside Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.
Smith’s resume is loaded. He’s been an NFL special teams coordinator for 25 straight seasons, and his units in Pittsburgh were consistently among the league’s best. Just last season, his group ranked second in opponent average drive start and sixth in punt return average allowed - two crucial metrics that often go overlooked but have a real impact on field position and momentum.
He’s also worked with top-tier special teams talent, including All-Pro kicker Chris Boswell and standout special teamer Miles Killebrew. That kind of track record doesn’t just happen - it’s built on attention to detail, player development, and a deep understanding of the third phase of the game.
With Smith now in the fold, the Buccaneers are hoping to solidify special teams as a strength - not just a support unit. And in tight games, especially down the stretch of a playoff push, that can be the difference between extending your season or watching from home.
So while Tampa Bay didn’t land every target on their coaching wish list, their aggressive approach signals a team that isn’t standing still. They’re retooling with purpose, and they’re not afraid to chase high-level experience to get back into the postseason conversation.