A Losing Culture in Tampa Bay

In 2003 the Buccaneers were on top of the world. Their new young head coach Jon Gruden had just led them to a Super Bowl victory over the Raiders, but the good times were short-lived. From 2003 until the end of Gruden tenure in Tampa, the Bucs only made it to the playoffs another two times.

Then in 2009 the Bucs got rid of Gruden, along with several other veteran players and promoted Defensive Backs coach Raheem Morris. Morris was terribly inexperienced, never ever holding a coordinator job in the league before being elevated to HC. Morris did have one 10-6 season, but after that, his team quickly began to fall apart. After 2011, Morris was sent packing.

In 2012, the front office went on an extensive coaching search and ended up with former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. Schiano lasted two lackluster seasons and was fired after going 11-21. After that, the Bucs went after a familiar face in HC Lovie Smith. The reunion was short-lived, however, as Smith was fired after two seasons.

Enter HC Dirk Koetter in 2016. The Bucs signed the former Falcons OC to help develop QB, Jameis Winston. After 3 seasons, Winston’s play never improved, nor did the Bucs ever come close to making the playoffs. At the end of this past season, Koetter was ousted and QB guru Bruce Arians was brought in. With Arian’s playoff experience during his stints with the Steelers and Cardinals, maybe he is the right HC to right this sinking ship and ending the losing culture in Tampa.