Dirk Koetter was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Koetter spent the 2015 season as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator under Lovie Smith, who was fired last week after two seasons as head coach. He was a popular coaching target in January and interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers. The Miami Dolphins, who hired Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, and Philadelphia Eagles, who are prepared to hire Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, also requested permission to interview Koetter for their openings.
“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,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said in a statement. “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.”
The 56-year-old Koetter was considered the front-runner for the sudden vacancy because of his working relationship with young quarterback Jameis Winston, who completed his rookie season.
There is a wealth of young talent on the Tampa Bay roster. The Buccaneers finished 6-10 and are in position to add another top-10 draft pick to the tandem of Winston and wide receiver Mike Evans, who was drafted in 2014.
The Buccaneers have made several coaching changes since Jon Gruden was fired after the 2008 season. Raheem Morris (2009-11), Greg Schiano (2012-13) and Smith (2014-15) were afforded brief windows to turn the team around and posted a combined 35-72 record.
Winston is the clear building block for the Bucs. In a year in which four of the final eight playoff teams remaining will start a quarterback drafted No. 1 overall, the Buccaneers are satisfied they have the QB question answered.
“I think any coordinator, quarterback coach in that role with a quarterback, particularly Jameis, a young quarterback, that’s an important bond. That’s a strong bond that they need to have,” Licht said. “That was present.”
Much of the focus will likely be on building the offensive line and helping a defensive front seven that has too few playmakers beyond defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and middle linebacker Lavonte David.
Koetter spent five years with the Jacksonville Jaguars and then helped Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to three of his best statistical seasons as a pro from 2010 to 2012.
Koetter has head coaching experience in the collegiate ranks at Boise State and Arizona State.