Yahoo fires 5 assistant coaches after 1 season, including OC Josh Grizzard

The Bucs will hire their fifth offensive coordinator under Todd Bowles.

Buccaneers fire 5 assistant coaches after 1 season with OC Josh Grizzard

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are cleaning house after the team fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross, and defensive backs coach Charlie Strong.

"These decisions are always difficult, but a disappointing end to the season has necessitated some changes in our coaching staff to make sure we live up to the high standards we've set here," head coach Todd Bowles said in a statement."All of these coaches put in a lot of hard work and effort, but unfortunately it didn't come to fruition last season. Our goal is to compete for championships every year and it's my responsibility to make these difficult decisions to meet those expectations. I want to thank these coaches for everything they've contributed to our goals over the years. I wish them the best of luck."

Grizzard is Bowles' fourth OC in four seasons, and with Bowles' job secured, he'll be looking for a fifth.

The Bucs' offense took a big step forward this season, going from third in the NFL in total yards in 2024 (399.5 per game) to 21st this past season (320.4 per game).The team has won four NFC South division titles since 2020 and made the playoffs every season, but only once since Balls took over as head coach in 2022.Won the playoff game.

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Tampa has a 35-33 record in Bowles' four seasons.

If Bowles joins the franchise as defensive coordinator in 2019, Buccaneers Byron Leftwich, Dave Canales, Liam Coyne and Grizzard will serve as offensive coordinators.NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that two names to watch out for are Rams pass coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and Ravens OC Todd Monken.

Grizzard joined the Bucs in 2024.as passing coordinator before being promoted to offensive coordinator when Coen left for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Lewis, a former NFL journeyman who played seven games in the league, was hired as an intern in 2020 before moving to the offensive assistant position.He was promoted to assistant receivers coach the following season before assuming the role of quarterbacks coach in 2023, working closely with Baker Mayfield during his three seasons in Tampa.

McGaughey was drafted in February 2024 for roles with the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets in 2014.