Top 5 head coach candidates for Buccaneers

Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) looks to pass in the third quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 31-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired Love Smith, but who will lead the team into the Jameis Winston era?

For the fourth time since 2008, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired their head coach — this time perhaps more inexplicably than ever. Lovie Smith was fired in the late night hours of a Wednesday, which was not the way anyone saw his tenure ending in Tampa.

Smith was just two years into his new job when the Bucs suddenly fired him, which means they will be looking for their fifth head coach in seven years. With Jameis Winston looking like the real deal and the Bucs defense finally starting to get back on track with stars like Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay needs to get this decision right or they risk scuttling themselves and sabotaging their own possible success.

Just when it looks like the Bucs are starting to climb out of the shadowy depths they sunk to, they might have found a way to sink right back down. That being said, there are a handful of candidates out there who could make the Buccaneers into Super Bowl contenders within the next five years — the only question is who will that be?

Next: 5. Jon Gruden