When the Buccaneers introduced Zac Robinson as their new offensive coordinator on Tuesday, it didn’t take long for Sean McVay’s name to surface. That’s no surprise. Robinson is the latest branch off the McVay coaching tree-a tree that’s become one of the most influential in the NFL today.
Just look around the league: Zac Taylor in Cincinnati, Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota, Liam Coen in Jacksonville-all of them emerged from McVay’s system. Even defensive-minded coaches like Raheem Morris and Brandon Staley have roots in McVay’s staff.
And that’s just the head coaches. Across the league, coordinators and assistants are carrying McVay’s offensive DNA into new environments.
Now, it’s Tampa Bay’s turn.
Robinson’s NFL coaching journey began in 2019 with the Rams, where he started as an assistant quarterbacks coach. He moved to assistant wide receivers coach in 2020 before returning to the quarterback room in 2021-just in time for the arrival of Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ Super Bowl run. Over the next two seasons, Robinson took on the dual role of pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, further sharpening his understanding of the modern NFL offense.
By the time he joined the Falcons as offensive coordinator in 2024, Robinson had spent five seasons absorbing the nuances of McVay’s system. And while his stint in Atlanta was brief, it was meaningful. He worked under Raheem Morris-another McVay disciple-and had a hand in a key win over the Rams late in the season, a 27-24 Monday night victory that indirectly impacted the Bucs’ playoff hopes.
That win pushed the Falcons ahead in the division, forcing Tampa Bay into a tougher Week 18 scenario. The Bucs still beat the Panthers, but the playoff door had already closed. Now, Robinson is in Tampa, and the next chapter of his coaching career begins.
And he’s bringing a wealth of experience with him.
“It’s been huge,” Robinson said of his time under McVay. “I went to the Rams in 2019 and had never coached before.
Sean is an open book with everything. You realize quickly how little you know when you go from playing to coaching.”
Robinson described his five years in Los Angeles as a crash course in football at the highest level. From understanding the "why" behind each play call to learning how to attack specific coverages, he credits McVay with shaping his football IQ.
“You’re getting your PhD in football,” he said. “The scheme stuff is next level. Your understanding of defenses becomes greater and greater the longer you’re there.”
But it wasn’t just the X’s and O’s. Robinson pointed to the leadership lessons he picked up along the way-how to run a room, how to connect with players, how to build a culture. Those intangibles matter just as much as the playbook.
Now, he steps into a role once held by another McVay product who made a big splash in Tampa: Liam Coen.
Back in 2024, Coen brought McVay’s system to the Bucs and turned the offense into one of the league’s most dynamic units. Tampa Bay averaged 29.5 points per game-fourth in the NFL-and ranked third in both total offense and passing yards.
Baker Mayfield had a career-best season with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns. Rookie Bucky Irving rushed for 1,000 yards.
Mike Evans extended his 1,000-yard season streak to 11, tying an NFL record.
That offensive explosion masked some defensive shortcomings and helped the Bucs win 10 games. Coen’s success earned him a head coaching job in Jacksonville, where he just wrapped up a 13-win season in his first year. Another McVay disciple, another fast riser.
Robinson and Coen go way back. They coached together in Los Angeles during the 2019, 2020, and 2022 seasons, and their relationship remains strong.
“I talk to Liam basically every day-except when we were playing against each other,” Robinson said with a smile. “Our families are close. We stay in contact about football things.”
But when it came to the Bucs job, Robinson didn’t need a sales pitch.
“I didn’t need to be sold on anything for this job,” he said. “I was excited for this job as soon as it became available.
This is a great job for a lot of reasons. There was no sell-I was hoping I got an opportunity to be here.”
Now he’s got that opportunity. And if he can bring even a fraction of the offensive firepower Coen delivered in 2024, the Bucs could be in for another big year.
And maybe-just maybe-Tampa Bay owes a quiet thank you to Sean McVay. After all, the Bucs are once again betting on a coach who learned from one of the sharpest minds in the game.