Bucs hire Koetter as new OC
Jan 9, 2015 - 12:34 AM Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quickly found themselves a new offensive coordinator, and one that's quite familiar with the NFC South.Atlanta Falcons OC Dirk Koetter has accepted the same position with the Bucs, the team announced Thursday in a press release.
Koetter had directed the Falcons' offense in each of the previous three seasons, with Atlanta ranking seventh in the NFL in points and eighth in total yards during his first year at the helm in 2012. The Falcons finished fifth in passing yards and eighth in total offense this past season, with quarterback Matt Ryan throwing for over 4,500 yards for a third consecutive year.
The 55-year-old Koetter, a former head coach at Boise State and Arizona State as well, also served as the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator from 2007-11.
Though Koetter was still under contract with Atlanta for 2015, the Falcons allowed him to leave with the team currently searching for a new head coach after firing Mike Smith at the conclusion of the 2014 campaign.
Koetter takes over a Tampa Bay offense that was one of the league's worst in 2014, though those poor results came under difficult circumstances. Offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford was forced to take a medical leave just prior to the season's start to undergo a heart procedure, leaving play-calling duties in the inexperienced hands of quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo.
Tedford was released from his contract in December and is now the head coach of the CFL's BC Lions.
Koetter is expected to be breaking in a new quarterback in Tampa Bay, as the Buccaneers hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft and will have a shot of landing either 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota of Oregon or Florida State star Jameis Winston.
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Lions Defeat Buccaneers, Advance to NFC Championship Game Jan 21
- Bill Belichick and Falcons to Continue Discussions Jan 18
- Baker Mayfield Corrects Trash Talk from Lions Jan 18
- Baker Mayfield Moves on with Bucs as Browns Were Ousted Jan 16
- Bill Belichick and Patriots to Part Ways Jan 11
- Baker Mayfield and Bucs Clinch NFC South Jan 7
- NFC South standings heading into Week 17: The Buccaneers are in control Dec 26
- Falcons season isn’t a total disappointment thanks to Ryan Nielsen’s defense Dec 26
- NFL Week 16 ‘Monday Night Football’ game picks and open thread Dec 25
- Falcoholic Festivus: The airing of grievances Dec 25
- Falcons fantasy stud and dud from Week 16 vs. Colts Dec 25
- Buccaneers Week 16 Top Performers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Dec 25