Well this one’s a shocker: Lovie Smith has joined the NFL coaches unemployment line.
Smith was just 8-24 in two seasons at the helm in Tampa, but the Buccaneers showed a marked improvement in 2015. The team went 6-10 with an improved defense and rookie quarterback Jameis Winston leading the offense.
“After careful consideration, we informed Lovie that we have decided to make a change,” Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement released by the team. “I want to thank Lovie for his hard work and dedication to the Buccaneers during his time here. This decision was difficult on a variety of levels. I am disappointed that we were not more successful these past few seasons, but we are committed to doing what is necessary to give our fans the winning team they deserve.”
Tampa Bay also becomes an incredibly intriguing job, with a young franchise quarterback in place, terrific offensive weapons like wide receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and running back Doug Martin, plus that budding defense.
One person it might be appealing to? New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, speculates Pats Pulpit’s Rich Hill.
McDaniels and Jason Licht both were with the Patriots from 2001 to 2005.
Smith becomes the fifth coaching change this offseason, and seventh since the start of the 2015 season, joining Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles), Tom Coughlin (New York Giants), Jim Tomsula (San Francisco 49ers), Mike Pettine (Cleveland Browns), Ken Whisenhunt (Tennessee Titans) and Joe Philbin (Miami Dolphins).
Thumbnail photo via Reinhold Matay/USA TODAY Sports Images
