Lovie Can’t Resist Shot At Bucs
September 12th, 2017
Blamer
Two of the last four fired Buccaneers coaches exited as very bitter men.
First there was Chucky, who was stunned by his ouster and was thoroughly unforgiving for years. Chucky even started the Fired Football Coaches Association and went on to serve up backhanded and public shots at Team Glazer on various occasions.
Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano were classy after their bootings, but Lovie Smith was angry.
Joe has heard all kinds of things on and off the record about Lovie’s rage at his firing. It was as if Lovie was incapable of accountability, of realizing his team was awful and his beloved defense, the one he was coordinating, was leading the charge.
Lovie quickly moved on to become the University of Illinois head coach. The Illini head to Tampa this weekend to face the University of South Florida.
Per the Chicago Tribune, Lovie wasn’t interested in sharing any love for Tampa when asked this week.
“This is about Illinois football right now,” he said. “I don’t have a whole lot of time to think about things that happened in the past. A lot of friends down there in that organization helped me get my ideal job here at the University of Illinois.”
That last sentence sure sounds like Lovie reviving — or still living? — his bitterness because he believes some sort of palace coup got him fired in Tampa, rather than quarterbacks completing 70 percent of their passes on his defense and a losing culture.
Joe truly wonders how many ex-Bucs will take the time on Friday night to go say hello to their former coach. If Joe had to guess, America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, might be the only one.
September 12th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Did I miss something?
September 12th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Does anybody know if Lovie still has his incompetent kids on his coaching staff at Illinois or did he learn the hard lesson of nepotism.
Nepotism is a horrible thing as we’re currently seeing in some very important positions!!!!
September 12th, 2017 at 1:07 pm
He was asked by the Chicago Tribune – so of course he gave a homer answer. Whatever – he sucked and I’m glad his boring a$$ and crappy coaching is elsewhere.
September 12th, 2017 at 1:18 pm
I think it is awesome that Lovie is happy being the last place team in the Big Ten every year probably
September 12th, 2017 at 1:38 pm
What I want to know is who from the Bucs organization helped him get his job at Illinois? Bucs helped him… doesn’t sound like backstabbing to me.
September 12th, 2017 at 1:41 pm
The obligatory Lovie story!
September 12th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Joe, I disagree with your take on Lovies last sentence. It sounds to me that someone in the organization vouched for Lovie to the Illinois brass. With his history with the team, this makes the most sense.
September 12th, 2017 at 1:52 pm
I know I missed something or there must be more to that statement that meets the eye be cause that is not a shot at the Bucs but what do I know!
September 12th, 2017 at 1:58 pm
I remember Lavonte David embarrassing himself after the great Lovie firing but he then quickly came around and woke up
September 12th, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Lovie take responsibility for his failures? NEVER!
The bottom line is Lovie got Lovie fired…nobody else and he KNOWS it hence the anger and resentment.
September 12th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Todays Topic: Tips on how to stretch yourself beyond text to tell a story
You’ve been reading this website for many years. If you don’t like Joe’s opinion, then you really should visit somewhere else.–Joe
September 12th, 2017 at 2:32 pm
i know Hardy is the d cord and Donnie A is on the staff. That’s enough reason for me to root for Illinois
September 12th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
stpetebucsfan
Plenty of coaches hire family members as assistant coaches.
Quite a few have had zero playing experience, at the college level.
At least Mikal Smith played in Dick Tomey’s ‘Desert Swarm’ defense.
Besides, plenty of blame can be placed on Larry Marmie, Leslie Frazier & Gil Byrd.
For our secondaries failures.
September 12th, 2017 at 3:00 pm
Joe, Hurricane Irma moved on … finally. When it comes to Lovie, I think a lot of JBF fans are trying to tell ya to please move on also. Lovie’s old news, even when the Illini come to town to play the Bulls. P-L-E-A-S-E
September 12th, 2017 at 3:07 pm
SssssTtttttttRrrrrrrrEeeeeeeTttttttttCcccccccHhhhhhh. When was Schiano so a good sport about it. He wasn’t even a good sport when he was here.
September 12th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Glad that Lovie is still coaching. I always liked his approach with players.
Sorry it didn’t work out here in TB.
Thanks for drafting Jameis…
Good luck, Lovie, at U of I.
Bear Down…Woof, woof, woof…!!!
September 12th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
If Lovie wants to know why he was fired, Exhibits 1 and 1a are both of his Week 1 performances in the 2 seasons he was head coach.
September 12th, 2017 at 3:19 pm
You’re reaching on this one Joe.
September 12th, 2017 at 3:24 pm
Now Joe is in the comments telling people to go to other websites if they don’t like his views. Oh boy. The beginning of the end.
This article = #fakenews
September 12th, 2017 at 3:48 pm
Another tough team for Ohio State to play?
September 12th, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Wow facts totally wrong. Listen to the press conference at 14 mins: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1IJBhYEqcvY
So glad you provided the link. The facts here are not wrong at all. You might want to go back and re-read exactly what Joe wrote. As Joe wrote here in the comments, too, Joe is well versed in Lovie’s wit and sarcasm and manner of public speaking. And Joe stands completely by what is written here. In fact, Lovie wouldn’t even say he had no hard feelings when pressed on the question in the video. You are reading between the lines as much as Joe is.–Joe
A Tampa Bay Times reporter called into a University of Illinois football press conference. In his follow up at 14:57 he said “You hired the gm, you hired the offensive coordinator now the head coach, you drafted the quarterback, are there any hard feelings?”
Lovie did not say anything negative about the bucs or the organization at all. In fact, he stated he still has a home and friends and keeps in touch with people in the Tampa Bay area. Kinda surprised to read this clearly incorrect spin here.
Sincerely,
Steve
A bucs fan who graduated from Illinois
September 12th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
I absolutely dislike Lovie, but for once, I don’t see the problem here.
September 12th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
I think most of you are missing the obvious sense of the text: the “friends” that “helped” him get his current job are the folks who he thought were friends but conspired (in his mind) to get him fired. Unless his agent is on staff with the Bucs that’s the only way this makes sense.
September 12th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
click bait
September 12th, 2017 at 4:32 pm
Joe is not an ostrich. A very direct reason the Bucs have yet to reach the playoffs is because of Lovie.
For all the Donovan Smith haters, you think the Bucs would have spent a second round pick on a left tackle if Donald Penn was still here? You think the Bucs would have spent a third round pick on Charles Sims if not for Lovie?
Joe is a history guy. Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it. Joe has zero interest in purging the memory of second worst coach in franchise history from his hard drive
when Lovie’s decisions are directly responsible for the Bucs continued playoff drought.
September 12th, 2017 at 4:36 pm
Joe’s done that when appropriate since he first launched this site. Joe fully understands this site isn’t for everyone, and that’s cool.
September 12th, 2017 at 4:48 pm
He sucked before he became hc of the Bucs,during,and he still sucks! Seems like a great guy, maybe if would have tweaked his defense just a little bit he’d still be our coach? Who knows? Who freaking cares! GO BUCS AND KICK SOME CHICAGO DINK AND DUNK MIKE GLENNON MUTHAFREAKN A$$. Heck with all that other crap
September 12th, 2017 at 5:06 pm
This article definitely says more about Joe than Lovie. Dam Joe, Let the crap go. Nothing about this statement says bitter or is taking a stab at Lovie. But we know, you love you ignorant statements. I bet you still think the Bus will cut Doug Martin…
Perhaps Joe’s knowledge of Lovie and his dry wit isn’t clear to others. Joe is confident here that Lovie here is not referring to references he got from the Bucs, but rather that those who helped him get fired indirectly got him the Illini gig.–Joe
September 12th, 2017 at 5:07 pm
*taking a stab at the Bucs
*Bucs
September 12th, 2017 at 5:19 pm
Yeah baby. Joe, i love it when u break it down n show these guys the big picture. Some just dont get it. N about Lovie, I always thought he was a different man. He sure is a bitter man who likes to blame others. Lost alot of respect did he. He spent too much time in the basement rubbing heads with tedford. Guess id be bitter too. Go Bucs
September 12th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
It’s really too bad Lovie didn’t work out here, it would’ve been great press to see his return revive the Bucs with Winston leading the charge. His hire of Tedford doomed him right off the bat. And his defensive scheme was probably meant for the shelf instead of the field. I don’t think he’s taking a public shot at the Bucs, but he has to be bitter about being canned after only two years. If I had any pride I would be too.
September 12th, 2017 at 6:03 pm
Wow. So the bucs have not made the playoffs because of lovie who was only here 2 years but yet you praise dominick who was bad for about 6 years? Please stop it joe. That is crazy talk. But that is nothing new coming from joe.
September 12th, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Love was terrible and deserved to be fired. I think most people are having an issue with context. It’s very hard to understand context so I’ll break it down for people. Lovie is saying that people he thought were friends got him fired and that led him to his current job. However he meant it, I’m happy that we have the current staff. It’s hard to imagine that even awful QB’s were looking like pro bowlers against our D. Mariota looked like a 10 year Vet on his way to the HOF in his very first game. So excuse Joe if he isn’t able to let go.
September 12th, 2017 at 7:00 pm
VERRA disappwointad.
September 12th, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Lovie living and loving the life in lovely Lovieland but didn’t likely learned his lesson. OK, I got it out of my system! On to Chicago!!!
September 12th, 2017 at 7:24 pm
I don’t see any of his kin on the Illinois payroll. Hope USF puts up 60!
September 12th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Lovie who?
September 12th, 2017 at 9:04 pm
@Joe … “Joe is a history guy. Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.” Having spent over a quarter century in the military, I totally agree with you Joe. Do I wish we’d retained several of those who Lovie sh!t-canned? (You know, like Donald Penn for one … and no, I’m not a Donovan Smith-hater; quite the contrary). Most definitely. But that ship sailed, and so did Lovie.
Rather than be PO’d at Lovie, I’m thankful to him. Because of Lovie, the Bucs hit rock bottom (2-14 is about as close as you can come). But out of those ashes we now have Jason Licht as our GM (and overall he’s done an outstanding job) and Dirk Koetter (can’t imagine a finer HC personally). We also got Mike Smith and a bunch of outstanding assistant coaches. We’ve now finally got a franchise QB in Jameis and lots of outstanding players on both sides of the ball. And as much as anything, Bucs ownership is now finally committed to building a championship T-E-A-M. And no, that wasn’t the case BL (Before Lovie). If things keep looking this bright we’ll all have to wear sunglasses 24 hours a day.
September 12th, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Chucky should have been stunned, and take some shots at the Glazers. It was an idiotic move.
What are they, immune from criticism.
Love didn’t say a darn thing. However, as a competitor I am sure he is upset and bitter about being canned. Who likes to be fired?
Quarterbacks hate being benched, legions of players are upset over being cut.
Schiano isn’t bitter? Didn’t he just say his dline at OSU is better than the one he had here?
Just imagine the reaction if Lovie said that.
September 12th, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Somebody here suggested JOE..move on from Lovie. He can’t. Folks, certain bashings are innate..to this websites culture. Everybody loves to bash losers. And peoples..Our BUCS have had a…plethera of losers..both coaches and players sibce inception..Can I get an Amen? Lovie did what he could do. And it FAIILED. He started off with his chosen Offensive Coordinator who he …bonded with in his basement..countless months..With surgery!! Look..say what you likie but Koetter’s been here for what?/ a couple yrs? where’s the beef!! The championship? Ok..its coming. I’m behind him..literally. But I am suggesting..In our tormented history..there have been at least (wait for it..) 3 or 4 coaches WORST THAN LOVIE. Like the Movie..Hamburger Hill..Don’t mean Nothin…GET IT DONE BUCS..You Say..you got the weapons..GET HER DONE!!! Stop the excuses..PLEASE!!!!!!!!!Please leave anickel..in the collection plate.
September 12th, 2017 at 10:51 pm
Lovie Smith is a class act. There is nothing to that story or this one.
September 12th, 2017 at 11:49 pm
@Eric: O My Gwad!
September 12th, 2017 at 11:54 pm
@Buc50: your context was born right out of my….#€£{]?.
September 13th, 2017 at 5:19 am
The real question is.. Are we chicago ready??
September 13th, 2017 at 7:59 am
JoeBucsFan isn’t going anywhere but up. Beginning of the end? What a Joke.
September 13th, 2017 at 8:00 am
I see no issue with the Lovie’s comments. If someone asks you about your last girlfriend with the current one in earshot, you (if wise) are non-chalant and show interest instead of “here and now” with your curren gig (girl).
September 13th, 2017 at 8:07 am
As for Raheem, he was given a job he wasn’t ready for; even he knew that, but it made him more marketable as a position coach or coordinator, and now he’s assistant HC for ATL. Schiano benefitted the same way in college ball using his NFL epitaph and a well-known name from two years of broadcasting–while cleaning up on the Bucs payment deal. Why would either be bitter? As for Lovie, his three issues were one, hiring and managing like he owned the team (hiring is own inexperienced sons and unproven friends); two, being so loyal to all of them he refused to fire them after two miserable years; three, had such a sense of being entitled due to his history with the Bucs that he thought he was teflon. If anyone though, it was Schiano who took the most shots at his former team, as documented by Joe, in fact.
September 13th, 2017 at 10:47 am
BS joe!!!!!….lovie did not sound bitter….you and others on the other hand sure do and I don’t know why….he’s gone…we have “winning coach dirk”…smitty…..horrible article!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
September 13th, 2017 at 10:53 am
@mike Johnson….AMEN!!!!!
im so tired of people blaming lovie….its a new day in tampa bay…dirk is the man in charge….any short comings need to be on his shoulders…..it all starts sunday…..lets hope the bucs and winning coach dirk lead us to a victory….GO BUCS!!!!