In a major shake-up following a disappointing campaign, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dismissed five members of their coaching staff. The team announced on Thursday the firing of offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, special teams coach Thomas McGaughey, quarterbacks coach Thaddeus Lewis, cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross, and defensive line coach Charlie Strong.
Bowles Cites Need for Change After Season Collapse
Head coach Todd Bowles explained the difficult decisions, pointing directly to the team's underwhelming finish. The Buccaneers started the season strong with a 6-2 record but collapsed in the second half, ending with an 8-9 mark and missing the playoffs. "These decisions are always difficult, but the disappointing end to the season required some changes to our coaching staff in order to ensure we live up to the high standards we have set here," Bowles stated.
He acknowledged the hard work of the departing coaches but emphasized the ultimate goal. "Our goal is to compete for championships every year, and it is my responsibility to make these tough decisions in order to reach those expectations," Bowles added, while thanking the coaches for their contributions.
Offensive Struggles Lead to Grizzard's Exit
The most notable change is at offensive coordinator, where Josh Grizzard's tenure was short-lived. He was hired to replace Liam Coen, who left after just one season to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coen himself had taken over from Dave Canales, who also departed after a single season to lead the Carolina Panthers. Both Coen and Canales managed to guide their Buccaneers offenses to playoff appearances.
The 2025 season saw a dramatic decline in offensive production. Under Grizzard, the unit plummeted from No. 3 overall in yards gained in 2024 to 21st in the league. The team's performance across key metrics fell sharply:
- Rushing offense dropped from top five to 21st.
- Passing offense fell from top five to 20th.
- Scoring offense declined from top five to 18th.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had career-best seasons under both Canales and Coen, started the 2025 campaign at an MVP level under Grizzard. However, injuries later in the season led to significant inconsistency, mirroring the team's overall second-half struggles.
Looking Ahead to a Critical Offseason
These widespread staff changes set the stage for a pivotal offseason in Tampa Bay. Coach Todd Bowles is now tasked with assembling a new group of assistants who can reverse the team's fortunes and re-establish a championship-caliber culture. The search for a new offensive coordinator will be particularly crucial, as the Buccaneers aim to rebuild an offense that was among the league's best just a year ago and maximize the potential of quarterback Baker Mayfield. The pressure is on for the Buccaneers' leadership to make the right hires and return to playoff contention.
