Bucs Name Dirk Koetter Head Coach

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t have to search far and wide for a new head coach to replace ousted Lovie Smith. The team’s management found the man it was looking for in its own back yard.

Dirk Koetter was named the 11th head coach in franchise history early Friday morning. Koetter, the team’s former offensive coordinator, was considered Smith’s likely successor after news of the dismissal broke.

”Dirk has established himself as one of the top offensive coaches in our game while enjoying success at every stop during his college and NFL career,” Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement announcing the promotion. “His success with our offense last season, along with his familiarity with our players and our organization, makes Dirk the right man to lead our team moving forward.”

Koetter was hired by the team in 2015 and is credited with bolstering the offensive line.

“Tampa Bay set team records for total net yards (6,014) and yards per play (5.9) and succeeded both on the ground and through the air,” the statement noted. “The team’s per-game averages of 135.1 rushing yards and 240.8 passing yards both ranked as the second-best single-season marks in franchise history. Overall, the Buccaneers finished fifth in the NFL in total offense, their highest placement on that list in 40 seasons of play.”

See Also:

• Bucs Fire Lovie Smith

Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht oversaw the search for Smith’s replacement. He indicated early on that Koetter was a leading contender.

“When I started this search for a new head coach, the focus was on finding someone that could be a strong leader as well as a consummate teacher, and Dirk is both,” said Licht. “He brings the passion and drive that will re-energize our organization and help us establish the winning culture that will help us become the championship-caliber team that our fans deserve.”

Smith’s two-year tenure as head coach gave birth to an 8-24 record.

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Photo of Dirk Koetter courtesy of Buccaneers.com.