Jason La Canfora is reporting that head coach Dirk Koetter is unlikely to return in 2019, and that the organization is has begun researching head coaching candidates to replace him.
Koetter is 5-8 so far in his third season leading the franchise. His first year, back in 2016, was has been his best as he led the team to a 9-7 record and second place finish in the NFC South, just narrowly missing a playoff bid. The 2017 season saw a dip in production at 5-11, and despite a 2-0 start to the 2018 season, the Bucs have struggled with three and four game losing streaks at two different points this season.
In addition to his stint leading the Bucs, Koetter has been a head coach at Boise State, where he went 26-10 leading the team from 1998-2000. That success led to an opportunity at Arizona State, where he went 40-34 from 2001-2006.
There was a lot of talk last season that with Jon Gruden interested in returning, that the organization considered letting Koetter go then in an effort to bring Gruden in. But as we all know now, Gruden elected to return to Oakland.
A well respected offensive mind in the NFL, Koetter likely won't be out of work for long, and La Canfora notes that offensive coordinator Todd Monken, the former head coach at Southern Miss and offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, will likely be a coveted coach on the NFL market as well. The Tampa Bay offense has been productive and had a number of bright spots this season, but the defense has struggled mightily.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.