Tampa Bay Buccaneers announce full coaching staff
By Ryan Doyle
When the Buccaneers hired Bruce Arians as their head coach, the expectation was that he would bring an impressive coaching staff with him. Arians delivered.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced their complete coaching staff on Wednesday. Bruce Arians brought with him an experienced team that can change the culture of the franchise.
One of the key additions announced earlier in the week was the hire of former New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles to the role of defensive coordinator.
The Buccaneers landed one of the best coordinators available in Bowles. He should be able to make strides with what was one of the worst defenses in football last season.
Arians was able to bring back many former assistants on both sides of the ball. It was amazing to see how loyal his former staff was as they have all seemed to make the trip to Tampa Bay.
Let’s take a look at the offensive side of the ball.
- Byron Leftwich, offensive coordinator
- Harold Goodwin, run-game coordinator
- Clyde Christensen, quarterbacks coach
- Joe Gilbert, offensive line coach
- Rick Christophel, tight ends coach
- Todd McNair, running backs coach
- Kevin Garver, wide receivers coach
- Antwaan Randle El, offensive assistant
- John Van Dam, offensive quality control coach
The headliners of this staff are offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and run-game coordinator Harold Goodwin.
Leftwich called plays for the first time in his coaching career a season ago. Arians believes in the young coach. Plus, as a former NFL quarterback, he could be a great mentor for Jameis Winston.
Goodwin is a veteran play-caller and longtime Arians assistant. Hopefully, he can get Tampa Bay’s rushing attack going. Alongside Arians, he should be a good voice for Leftwich to develop his gameplan with.
Now, for the defense and other assistants.
- Todd Bowles, defensive coordinator
- Kacy Rodgers, defensive line coach
- Larry Foote, outside linebackers
- Mike Caldwell, inside linebackers
- Kevin Ross, cornerbacks coach
- Nick Rapone, safeties coach
- Tim Atkins, quality control coach
- Cody Grimm, defense/special teams assistant
- Keith Armstrong, special teams coordinator
- Chris Boniol, specialists coach
- Amos Jones, assistant special teams coach
- Mike Chiurco, assistant to the head coach
Defensively, Bowles brought plenty of familiar names with him. Kacy Rodgers was his defensive coordinator with the Jets, and he will take over as the Bucs’ defensive line coach.
Again, this side of the ball is filled with coaches that have worked with Arians in the past. As well as some up-and-coming names like Cody Grimm.
One impressive group is the special teams coaches. Keith Armstrong has over three decades of experience coaching special teams. Chris Boniol is also a highly regarded coach who will work to improve Tampa Bay’s punting and kicking game.