3 candidates to be next Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach

5 candidates to be next Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach

TAMPA, FL - DEC 09: Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter watches the action during the regular season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 09, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS via Getty Images /

3. Kris Richard

Richard is in his first season as defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. His association with one the league’s better defenses this year is nice, but Richard also helmed a top-10 defense in the first two of his three seasons as Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator (2015-2017). Prior to that, he worked under a few different titles with Seahawks’ defensive backs from 2010-2014.

The Buccaneers entered Week 13 27th or worse in the league in yards allowed, passing yards allowed and points allowed. To make matters worse, they entered the week with just eight interceptions (tied for 23rd in the league) and 14 takeaways (tied for sixth-fewest in the league). Fitzpatrick and Winston’s propensity to throw interceptions in bunches hasn’t helped, but giving up yardage in bunches and not taking the ball away enough has made a bad defense look worse.

Richard will get an opportunity to be a head coach at some point, and he’ll get interviews during the upcoming hiring cycle. The Buccaneers should have him on their list, if he’s not there already.

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