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Top 5 head coach candidates for Buccaneers

By Josh Hill

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) with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10 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) with offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter in the fourth quarter. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 38-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

. OC. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dirk Koetter. 1. player. 48

Why They Fit: His resume really speaks for itself, even if it doesn’t really say much. Koetter coached up Matt Ryan in some of those great Atlanta Flacons offenses in the early 2010s. He also has great chemistry with Jameis Winston and was responsible for making the Buccaneers the fifth best offense in the NFL this season. That’s a sneaky accomplishment as the Bucs weren’t lighting opponents on fire but were efficient with Winston in his rookie season.

All of that points to Koetter being named head coach. Tampa Bay is heavily invested in Winston as the future of the franchise and Koetter was more valuable to the rookie’s success than Lovie ever was or will be.

Why They Don’t Fit: You fired Lovie Smith — a Super Bowl coach — for Dirk Koetter? That’s the question that Bucs fans will be lambasted with if this indeed happens. Koetter has zero head coaching experience in the NFL and was a guy that probably even Bucs fans weren’t totally sure who he was. Koetter’s resume is pretty barren when it comes to things that truly stick out, as he’s about as vanilla a hire as it gets. Coordinators usually end up making good head coaches if they’re talented — but you typically hire them away from other teams after big seasons rather than promoting them from within after an alright season.

Will It Happen: This is probably the most likely option for the Buccaneers. While it’s possible that they find someone outside the organization, Cotter’s work with Winston as well as the coaching interest he’s drawing makes him a natural fit to succeed Lovie.

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