Buccaneers Fire Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith

by
Former Writers
October 15, 2018

kishcollageit via Flickr

Buccaneers Fire Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith

Per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired their defensive coordinator Mike Smith. This move comes with little surprise as the Buccaneers defense has been among the worst in the NFL this season.

Through Week 6 of the NFL season, the Buccaneers have given up a league-worst 34.6 points per game. Although the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ run defense has had some success, their pass defense has been horrid this season. Tampa Bay has also allowed 355.6 passing yards per game which is dead last in the league this season.

What’s Next For Mike Smith?

It will be interesting to see how much interest Mike Smith can garner on the open market. Smith who is a past recipient of the NFL Coach of the Year award, has only gone downhill since his first year as a head coach. Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 until 2014, winning only one playoff game in that span.

After starting hot with Atlanta, Smith was ultimately fired after back to back losing seasons going 4-12 in 2013 then 6-10 in 2014. He would take a year off before accepting the role as defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay.

Since arriving in Tampa Bay, Smith’s defensive units have perpetually declined. In his first season, the Buccaneers gave up an average of 23.1 PPG, which increased to 23.9 PPG in 2017 and are now at a league worse 34.6 PPG.

What’s Next For Tampa Bay?

The Buccaneers will be handing over the defensive coordinator role to linebackers coach Mark Duffner on an interim basis.

This will be Mark Duffner’s second appearance as an NFL defensive coordinator and his first since the 2002 season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Although it has not shown, Tampa Bay has some talented defenders on their roster.

The Buccaneers have Gerald McCoy, Lavonte David, and Kwon Alexander who have all produced at a high level. It will be interesting to see if Duffner can turn this season around before it’s too late.