Mike Smith A “Joy”
January 5th, 2017
Lauded.
As Joe types this here post in the wee hours of a Thursday morning, we do not know if Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith will be a head coach elsewhere.
We should know by the Super Bowl. In other words, within the next month.
There is no question a lot of players will be bummed out if Smith leaves, but they all seem to understand why Smith wants to be a head coach. Joe spoke to several players after Sunday’s game and they fully supported Smith moving on to enhance his career.
To hear some players talk, it’s like Smith is a father figure to them. Monday, as he was cleaning out his locker, Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy spoke glowingly of Smith.
“Oh, Smitty’s great,” GMC said. “I love Smitty, man, just as a person. He’s a great man. Smitty’s always at Chapel. He’s just a great guy. It was a joy to play for him. He has tons upon tons upon tons of knowledge about this game and he just loves this game. He’s one of those coaches who, when things don’t go right, he doesn’t point fingers.
“If I didn’t make a play, Brent Grimes didn’t make a play, Lavonte David didn’t make a play and it’s blatant that we should have made that particular play, he blames himself. A coach like that, you always want to go out and give your all for. We all love him. Everybody loves him. Nobody has a bad thing to say about him. We’re just hoping he’s back here. That would be great because I love playing for him.”
Again, only Smith himself and the team owner interviewing him know just how serious of a candidate he is. But with all the head coach openings and maybe more to come, it’s hard to believe Smith will be passed over.
January 5th, 2017 at 9:40 am
I don’t believe a team will hire Mike smith as Head Coach.
January 5th, 2017 at 9:50 am
So as Coach Smith ever hinted that he did not want to leave? Any press conference or interview stating he wants to win in Tampa?
January 5th, 2017 at 9:51 am
LakeLandBuc agree 100%……
January 5th, 2017 at 9:52 am
So has Coach Smith ever hinted that he did not want to leave? Any press conference or interview stating he wants to win in Tampa?
January 5th, 2017 at 10:02 am
“A coach like that you want to always go out an give your all for”. Can you look yourself in the mirror an honestly say you did big fella???
January 5th, 2017 at 10:08 am
Honestly Nole?! Why do we have to start this BS over and over? There are 10 other guys on that side of the ball. You’re telling me that ALL others can say the same?! BS! Can we just please stop with it already?! Please?!
If Smitty leaves, my biggest concern would be continuity. I’m happy that he has that type of impact on players.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:12 am
I think the Jags Job is probably the best one but I believe they will lean on an Offensive coach.. they will have a big decision to make in BB. He won’t take the 9ers job.. Maybe Rams but again Offensive minded coach would be a better fit. No to Bills no QB and owners are an issue. Maybe SD but again why? Especially since you may not have a QB in 2 years. Denver? Doubt he’s a candidate.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:13 am
pic of him last going on a plane going to san diego on reddit
January 5th, 2017 at 10:22 am
Call me crazy but I don’t see a team hiring Mike Smith for head coach. Just don’t get that feeling.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:46 am
Doug Marrone has a better shot at the Jaguars job than Mike smith.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:53 am
You guys are delusional if you don’t think someone is going to hire Mike Smith. He’s as good as gone.
January 5th, 2017 at 10:59 am
If Smith does leave hopefully it will be quick and not drug out for months……I think it give the bucs better options to replace him before other new HCs grab staff assistance. ..even if we promote from within you still have to replace 1 coach UNLESS we have a quality control guy on staff who is capable of moving up….iam confident the bucs will make a good choice here and we will continue to rise as team
January 5th, 2017 at 11:16 am
There’s 6 Head Coach vacancies in the NFL. And teams don’t have a Clear Candidate. They have their eyes on some Coordinators, whose teams are still in the playoffs. If Mike Smith is a backup plan for the Jaguars and the Chargers, if other Coordinators turn them down. He’s not a front runner for any of the jobs.
January 5th, 2017 at 11:18 am
Mike Smith IS a backup plan.. Not IF Mike Smith is a backup plan
January 5th, 2017 at 11:39 am
I’m a big fan and that’s why I hope Smitty gets the right job.
He’s a smart man and knows this is his last shot at the head job…not this year though…I mean this time around…either this year or within the next two.
But for Smitty to stay he would have to have a ton of faith in his players and DK that the team will continue to progress. Turn in a bad performance next year and Smitty might dissappear forever. He’s hot right now. What will he be next year?
He could be hotter…IF the Bucs continue their climb. Smitty’s fortunes and his last best chance to be HC are tied to the Bucs…if people were impressed enough this year…he has to consider potential number of openings next year as well.
I think Smitty is in a great spot now…on an up and coming team with a solid nucleaus of young talent and a ton of cap money. He would be stupid to take a dead end job somewhere else at this point. He’ll look at a lot of things..talent…QB especially..management and their expectations.
I think it’s about 50-50 right now.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:41 pm
Smitty will be head coach San Francisco next year.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:42 pm
I have thought Smith would return for the Bucs all along. An excellent chance to pad that resume further with an improved team going forward right here in Tampa.
January 5th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
his best destination would be the jags….they will only be looking for the slightest improvement and will give him time to fix the defense and brotles….but im not so sure he gets a job….we’ll see….GO BUCS!!!!
January 5th, 2017 at 12:52 pm
Am I the only one that thinks of actor Brian Dennehy when looking at Mike Smith ?
January 5th, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Very rarely does a assistant coach of a non playoff team get hired as a head coach. Just don’t happen unless it’s internal hiring aka promotion.
January 5th, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Make him assistant head coach and pay him 3mill a year!
January 5th, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Whatever happens, happens. Bucs are in good hands either way.
January 5th, 2017 at 9:50 pm
Our Bucs finished 23rd in total D, 18th in scoring D. Neither will land Smitty a HC job. If he does leave, it will be because of what hdid in Atlanta.
January 6th, 2017 at 7:11 am
I think Smith has another year here with the Bucs. 1st, although the Jags would benefit with a defensive HC bc of the talent they have on D, they need to fix Bortles. They need an offensive HC.
2nd, Smitty needs another year with a better, more consistent defensive performance.
January 6th, 2017 at 8:40 am
As good as he was for us, his reputation across the national media is still a bit tarnished after the nosedive in Atlanta and don’t forget the first half of this season.
I think (and hope) that he will be back for one more year but there are far too many head coaching vacancies this year, although most of them want an offensive minded coach.
January 6th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Smitty has a good shot at getting a HC job just like the other candidates have. It just depends on what the owners and GMs are looking for in a HC and if he has the chemistry with these folks, and also how well he interviews. Either way it goes Smitty and the Bucs will win.