Mike Smith Fired

October 15th, 2018

Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith has been fired.

Bucs coach Dirk Koetter relieved Smith of his duties today. Linebackers coach Mark Duffner has been promoted to defensive coordinator.

127 Responses to “Mike Smith Fired”

  1. DSmith Says:

    Bout time

  2. SC Bucs Fan Says:

    I’m anti change but this needed to be done. Our D is not improving at all.

  3. SB Says:

    ALL HAIL!!! THE WICKED WITCH IS DEAD!!!

  4. SchlomieBarmitzahCircumScissorStein Says:

    He’s the voice of “Chris” on Family Guy. He’ll be find. Btw, the uniforms and helmet are putrid.

  5. AtlBuc Says:

    Its about time. I like Mise Smith but it’s rather obvious that the game has passed him by

  6. Radsy Says:

    Thank God. Passivity is the death of defense in any sport. Let’s hope Duffner has some testosterone left, because Smith sure didn’t.

  7. Joehelldeloxley Says:

    Joe,

    you asked for it, you get it

  8. Carrollwood Buc Fan Says:

    Let’s see if this makes a difference.

  9. Bucsfanman Says:

    Worst defense in the league, yep, needed to happen!

  10. Drew Says:

    Wish him the best as a person. Hope he learns from this and improves elsewhere.

  11. Wausa Says:

    Hopefully the Bucs will play a much less soft scheme and much more disciplined scheme now.

  12. theodore Says:

    This is completely unfair to Mike Smith. He was just about to make his week six adjustments.

  13. Buc4life7878 Says:

    Koetter fix this mess or you’re next. Go Bucs!

  14. Darin Says:

    Thanks the football heavens!!! Woooohoooooo celebrate today folks!! This thing isnt over yet!! Congrats Duffner!! Go get em!! Cant wait to see the different mindset on this defense!!!

  15. Tampa Bay Demon Says:

    I hate to say “Thank God” about a man being fired, but….

    THANK GOD!!! — This is the RIGHT move, and it is time for us to move forward. Hope Duffner can actually make a presence on the sidelines, put the guys in the right positions, and make a difference.

  16. Syl Says:

    Well…Koetter is next if this team doesn’t get better.

  17. WalkdaPlank Says:

    Defense couldn’t get any worse, and I thought Lovie’s defense was bad, this guy makes his defense look like the ‘02 Bucs. Good riddance.

  18. VA Tom Says:

    It doesn’t matter if it’s the right football move or not anymore unfortunately. The proof is in the eye test and the losing. Coach Smith couldn’t outlast his record setting Defense. Man, how hard to watch? And I feel sorry for Smith who seems like a great Dude. I hope Duffner has some ideas. One thing is for sure, if Duffner has any positive effect on the D then the organization is gonna look like clowns for not ditching Smith before the season. Man, what a mess!

  19. Wombat Says:

    Rex Ryan on speed dial??? Maybe a quick fix….

  20. Eric Says:

    If I was Mr. Licht and Mr. Koetter, id be making sure we beat Cleveland.

    Sounds like the Glazer Boys are a bit upset. You know what that means.

  21. adam from ny Says:

    koetter was strong armed to make this move…and not happy at that press conference…

    thanks from upstairs for forcing dirk’s hand…

    wish smitty well…just not here

  22. Tbbucs3 Says:

    It’s a NEW DAY IN TAMPA BAY!

  23. danr Says:

    bring in raheem.

  24. lambchop Says:

    Rex Ryan is garbage. I’d rather have Jack Del Rio or Jim Schwartz.

  25. Bucs Fan #7423 Says:

    POP THE CHAMPAIN BOTTLES!!!! WE FINALLY FIRED MIKE SMITH!

    Today is a glorious day for bucs fans

  26. Mike Smith Says:

    Poor Mike. He was an excellent coach.

  27. Radsy Says:

    Anyone else suspect Duffner took the reins of our defense at halftime Sunday?

  28. I'm a Tandyman Bucs Fan Says:

    Day late and 2 dollars short…..Should fire Dirk later today toooo!!!! If he hadn’t been so stubborn and loyal to Smith the last 2 years just maybe your Buccaneers would have won a lot more ballgames and my Man Tandy might have still been a Buc!!!

  29. AtlBuc Says:

    Darin. I agree. I think this defense can be so much better. We have young aggressive DB’s who love to press. I’d love to see them press more and heat up the QB

  30. Krk61344 Says:

    Historically bad defense

  31. DI Says:

    Thank you!

  32. BigPoppaBuc Says:

    Wow… I’m actually surprised. After it didn’t happen two weeks ago I didn’t think it would till the end of the season. This should be a wake up call to the players too.

  33. Buc believer Says:

    Adios Amigos!! Don’t let the door hit you in the Arse on the way out! Knowing you though it will slam your face!

  34. Fred W Mcneil Says:

    That defence could not possibly get worse

  35. Oxycondoms Says:

    He had early onset dementia.

  36. Tbbucs3 Says:

    I wish Mike Smith the best of luck at his new job as the defensive coordinator for the TBYFL New Tampa Wildcats.

  37. Aceofaerospace Says:

    Great. Now I gotta change my DraftKings lineup.

  38. Robert Says:

    who they gonna blame the losses on now?

  39. Chris BucTown Says:

    Should have been done after the Chicago game to allow Duffner to implement any changes during the bye week.

    Seems kind of pointless now….

  40. Not there yet Says:

    Koetter does have balls because he just seems completely lost with this team. I hope they improve dramatically because then it would shine a light on the quarterback and coach if the offense isn’t doing it’s job. I’m willing the could play the exact same scheme without playing 15 yards away and be successful but honestly hope they move away from everything Smitty was doing

  41. __TGH__ Says:

    By all accounts Coach Smith is a good man. Needed to be done, but sorry that it has come to this.

    Didn’t know you had this type of clout at OneBuc Joe… if the kicker misses another extra point or kick under 50 yards against the Browns, your next mission will be clear.

  42. Eric Says:

    This is a very clear “better get this fixed now” message from the top.

  43. adam from ny Says:

    jpp’s sideline beefing was the last straw…he kept saying
    “that smitty’s gotta go”…he is our team leader – put a “C” on his chest now dirk or you too will be run out of town…

    #JppIsTheClintEastwoodOfTheBuccaneers

  44. DB55 Says:

    Now mike can focus his time on living his best life working at Hamburger Mary’s. I hear he headlines there and is simply Fabulous. Maybe he’ll bring in McIceCream for a cameo appearance.

  45. HomerSimpsonRocks Says:

    Feels like the owners forced Dirk’s hand. Who knows for sure. Hope Duffner is more creative and aggressive than Smith and his bend-then-break 1990s scheme was.

  46. Another J Says:

    Figured Dirk was gonna ride with Mike Smith all the way to the unemployment line…

  47. Gruden4President Says:

    They had to do something to keep this fan based interested! I know im tired of seeing the same garbage defense week in week out for the last 2 and a half years! Now lets go win some games!

  48. Destinjohnny Says:

    The new guy has so much talent to work with….
    Said no 1

  49. go for the face30 Says:

    Robert Says:
    October 15th, 2018 at 2:46 pm
    who they gonna blame the losses on now?
    _________________________________________

    Lol oh please guy – even Chris spielman was railing against the 3 deep or quarters coverage, and letting receivers constantly run routes past the first down marker. How many former players have spoken out about how vanilla their defense is? That is schematic. A change was necessary. Does this mean they will turn in to the 2000 Ravens now? No. But giving our DB’s a chance to press, be more aggressive, and work in alignments that puts them in a better position to succeed is the proper go forward plan, and the best way to evaluate who should stay and who should go.

  50. Buc4evr Says:

    If things don’t improve, Koetter is next. Writing is on the wall.

  51. Capt Kidd Says:

    Duffner’s first foray into the NFL came with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent six seasons as linebackers coach (1997-2000) and defensive coordinator (2001-02). In his first year as coordinator in 2001, the Bengals defense allowed the unit’s fewest points (309) since 1989 and fewest yards per game (302) since 1983. In addition, the defense set a franchise single-season record for sacks that year with 48, a mark that stood for 11 seasons.

  52. Oxycondoms Says:

    Licht said it wasn’t an easy decision but made the correlation between the bucs defense and his beer mug

  53. DGBUCFAN Says:

    NOTHING TO LOSE! MUCH TO GAIN! Dufner won’t be hanging out in the sky box with cheese doodles! Bye-Bye Tampa 2 soft and cushy defense!
    Press coverage and some New blitz packages. I would re-evaluate every player on Defense and kick any defensive player(s) off the team if they choose to dance like idiots on the sideline. Time to change the losing culture! NOW!

  54. Greg Says:

    Light needs to be next. All this money on Allen, Urlien, and Vea to stuff the run in a pass happy league and we have no pass rush not named Pierre-Paul who is 30. Light has set this team 6 years back. Vea didn’t make sense, striking out on 2 second round picks in Jones and a kicker plus Simms, Spense, and McNichols. The draft isn’t easy but you cant make that many mistakes in the first 3 rounds. Not to mention Michael Johnson, Sex offender and turnover prone Winston, Chris Baker, TJ Ward, ect ect

  55. richbucsfan Says:

    2 weeks too late…

  56. NJBucsFan Says:

    What would have been if he was able to go be a head coach after year 1 🤔

  57. DB55 Says:

    Adam

    Could you imagine JPP with Ayers and Baker? #NoIceCream

  58. Nano Says:

    They need to change scheme
    Press coverage zone dont work
    When they didn’t play zone yesterday they were better
    Smith was behind the curve

  59. Dave Says:

    Excellent news for the Bucs!
    I am not going to celebrate and dance on Mike Smith’s head though. Seem like a great guy, just like Lovie Smith, the game passed him by. Nothing more. I wish him well

  60. webster Says:

    @ go for the face

    Thats the troll robert’s way of saying jameis has no excuses now as if the firing of smith means this defense will perform better. They may still suck on defense but the organization came to the conclusion that in 2 and a half seasons, only 5 games this defense did not perform as the worst in the league and it was time to move on.

  61. Tbbucs3 Says:

    If the defense still sucks after the Mike Smith era, then the attention turns to Mr Jason Licht.

    Has anyone seen his 1st round pick? He’s gone missing.

  62. i like gunslingers Says:

    should have happened at the bye week, with two weeks to prepare for atlanta with a new scheme oh well, my take is this came from licht or ownership, glad it’s done hope it’s not too late to salvage the season, by the way seen on the net when duffner was DC for i think cincinnatti they were allowing 19 points per game if he can make this happen here next week and beyond we can right the ship because she’s listing badly, and taking on water, go bucs

  63. buddy Says:

    Can he take #KLUELESSKOETTER with him pretty PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

  64. D-Rome Says:

    Wow! I felt Smith should have been fired in the off season but I never thought this would actually happen. Not with Dirk Koetter as head coach.

    No matter how this season ends up, firing Mike Smith was the right move and long overdue. As for all this talk about being a good guy and all, I really don’t care. He has millions in the bank. He’s fine.

  65. Robert Says:

    agreed go for

    smitty was useless

  66. richardtyson Says:

    Best if luck to Mike Smith.

  67. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Can’t hurt…..can’t get worse…..sends a powerful message to the other coaches and players…..

  68. adam from ny Says:

    smitty just spotted at the press box with licht…they are chugging beers like savages, before heading to get some ladies for relief…if you know what i mean…then smitty is flying out of town to hotlanta…back to the hot bed for smitty – but one last moment of shenannies before he’s out

  69. Jeffbuc Says:

    I hope Duffner will be calling plays from the sideline. Where he can actually go talk to players during the game and make adjustments. And please say he will change the cornerbacks cushion. I could catch 6 passes against are defense. Now all we need is for jameis to not throw 2 picks a game and we should be fine. I think the defensive players will rally behind Duffner. You could see it in there expressions and in the press conferences. They were fed up with the defense also. Hard to play for somebody when you no what there teaching you doesn’t work. It’s like having a boss that doesn’t know the easy way of doing anything and makes you do it the long way. So your pissed the whole time knowing you could do this same job in half the time. I think we will come out with some I hate this word swagger next Sunday. And see some turnovers and I think we can feed off that and really get on a winning streak. Especially if we aren’t losing big all the time and we can actually use Barber more.

  70. Bucs Fan #7423 Says:

    If Koetter can win 8 more games this year he can stay

  71. Ed Says:

    It was pretty damning when the network would show the yellow first down line and our safety was like 10 yards back on 3rd and 8. So basically an 18-20 yard cushion for Falcons without their #2 and #3 receivers. All they had to do the entire game was blanket Jones. Whenever they needed to keep a drive alive they would just move Jones to one side of the field and he’d run across the field and be wide open as the Buc defenders were in zones and no one was running with Julio.

    Getting rid of Smith isn’t going to fix this overnight but as the Beatles sang after the line “its getting better all the time”, John Lennon threw in the line “it can’t get no worse”. That is so appropriate here, it can only get better.

  72. Bangkok Buc Says:

    Fire them Coaches….er….Cannons!!!!!!

  73. mark2001 Says:

    Glad to see the change, but the problem is just bigger than Smith. But like they say, you can’t fire the players when it is more than one or two, so you fire the Coach. Hope this lights a fire under these guys…too bad Duff can’t make JPP an assistant “on the field” motivational coach.

  74. Posey99 Says:

    “theodore Says:
    October 15th, 2018 at 2:40 pm
    This is completely unfair to Mike Smith. He was just about to make his week six adjustments.”

    LOL

  75. LakeLand Says:

    Firing Mike Smith won’t change nothing

    They will stick suck

    They fired Lovie and stunk worst

  76. Rick Says:

    No way dirk had any say in this. This is from the top.

  77. MikeSmith Says:

    You won’t have me to kick around anymore

  78. Ben the Ga Buc Says:

    Destinjohnny Says:
    October 15th, 2018 at 2:53 pm
    The new guy has so much talent to work with….
    Said no 1

    ———-
    That’s ridiculous. There is enough talent on the Bucs defense to NOT give up 439 yards a game. As Joe has said, even a mediocre defense right now, we’d be 4-1.

  79. Rod Munch Says:

    LOL! They don’t do anything during the bye week – and now make the change. What idiots.

  80. adam from ny Says:

    smitty looked very stressed out in the box yesterday during the game…his face looked different, and unrelaxed…he kept scratching his noggin too…he didn’t look like the normal mack daddy up in the ice box, like an ice cold chiller

  81. i like gunslingers Says:

    the players must buy into his system, most importantly they must understand it, come on duff make it simple enough for the young’ns to comprehend and still be able to pressure the opposing QB’s and cover good enough to get off the field when the opposing team faces a third and 8, keep em at 20 and under we should win

  82. Tom Cassidy Says:

    The entire Coaching Staff including Coach Kotter have to go. This Team has no direction, no intensity, no depth. They are just going through the motions. Their is no desire, no heartfelt emotion to WIN. You need a Head Coach like Tony Dungy, you need Defensive, Offensive, Special Teams Coaches that are in it to win it. These last three games have been pitiful. These Players are being paid from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, and they are not giving their all. They are not playing for what they are being paid. Shake up the entire Team with a fresh new Coaching Staff. Winston needs to connect w his long throws, defense needs to rush and disrupt the offense of the team they are playing, the coverage is terrible, QB throwing completions like The Bucs were nowhere to be found covering their man. ENOUGH ALREADY we cannot and should not take another season of loss, loss, loss, loss. One Defensive Coach gone is not going to change very much. Disgusted !

  83. Dirty Bucs Says:

    Let’s go, Coach Duf!

  84. mark2001 Says:

    Rick…don’t disagree that Dirk was forced…..and his seat just got hotter.

  85. LakeLand Says:

    BucFan #7423

    No way the Bucs win 10 games

    9 turnovers in 3 games

    30th in differential

    They have to do more than fire Mike Smith to win 10 gamess

  86. DB55 Says:

    Lake

    Take McIceCream with him. That will fix EVERYTHING!!!

  87. LakeLand Says:

    They haven’t been to the playoffs

    SINCE WHEN?

    How many Head Coaches, Coordinators have they fired?

  88. __TGH__ Says:

    Call Jack Del Rio Now!!!!

  89. BobbyBucs Says:

    Joe,

    Might as well write an article on who might be the new Bucs head coach

    I vote for Wade Phillips!!!!

  90. Steve in Mad Beach Says:

    Had to be done!

    Hopefully coach Duf isn’t a fan of giving 20 yard cushions at the line of scrimmage!

  91. Rod Munch Says:

    Again, I would have fired Dirk and promoted Mike Smith to head coach and let Monken run the offensive while letting whoever run the defense. Dirk brings absolutely nothing to the table as a head coach, he was a great OC, but as a HC he’s worthless, so make Smith the HC, do something he’s proven to be successful at, and let Monken run the offense without interference from Dirk demanding he run it up the gut on 1st and 10.

    Anywho we shall see what happens.

  92. Bucs Fan #7423 Says:

    Well we all know it’s the defense that’s the problem. Lovie Smith didn’t fix the defense and neither did Mike Smith.

    Koetter already fixed the offense, which is why this is the best offense the bucs ever had. Koetter can stay if he can find a competent Defensive Coordinator to hold teams to 20 points.

  93. m0j0 Says:

    Where’s Schiano when you need him? 🙂

  94. Tony LA Says:

    Smart move for one main reason…
    The defense will respond with a huge effort next week.

    It happens all the time when teams make changes with coaches in season, all of a sudden the effort is there.

    Duffner can’t change much in a short time span. He can can make a few tweaks and dial up more blitzes… but the effort CAN change.

    Everyone realizes now – especially on defense – that jobs are on the line.

    Watch the effort and results change this weekend.

  95. D the Bucs fan Says:

    Yes more accountability please. More aggression please no more sofT coaching save your job play to win

  96. LakeLand Says:

    BucFan# 7423

    The offense has turned the ball over 9 times in 3 games

    You don’t have a problem with that?

    SMDH

  97. webster Says:

    Wade phillips? Come on man. He has sucked twice as a head coach and you want bring in an 74 year old d coordinator. You really didnt think that out.

  98. The Buc Realist Says:

    all problems are now fixed, right sheep!!!!! Let this be a warning that with 11 games to play!!! All eyes on accountability will now be on players and the GM that assembled them!!!!!!!!!!!!! The linebackers that have to cheat up because the front 4 cannot pass rush or stop the run and leave the rookie CB’s exposed no longer matters!!!!!!!

    players and gm are on the clock!!!!!!!!!!

  99. LakeLand Says:

    I have never seen a GOOD offense that turns the ball over 9 times in 3 games

    I’m confuse and lost

    I was taught that offense that turns the ball over stinks

  100. NPRSageBoy Says:

    If Dufner is the DC, who is gonna comfort Lavonte David on the sidelines when Kwon screws up?

  101. JimmyJack Says:

    Lakeland 9 turnovers in three games. And I may be wrong but we haven’t forced a turnover in those same 3.

  102. LakeLand Says:

    JimmyJack

    The Bucs are 30th in turnovers differential

    But no one mention stats like that

  103. denjoe Says:

    It needed to be done but I don’t think Licht helped him any.

  104. tbbucs3 Says:

    We should hire Chris Spielman as the new DC, he clearly new what was going on more than Mike Smith.

    Whoever we bring in as the new DC, just hope his last name isnt “Smith”

  105. Pickgrin Says:

    2 weeks too late. We should be 3-2. No excuse for Atlanta scoring from their own 25 with 26 seconds left in the half.

    Bucs lost at least 3 games last year in similar fashion at the end of games – so perhaps maybe 9 months too late.

  106. Dapostman Says:

    Dead last in points allowed 34.6 per game

    31st in yards allowed 440 per game

    Dead last in passing yards allowed 355 per game

    Tied for next to last with 5 takeaways

    28th in sacks with 9 total

    How much worse can it get? Change in philosophy please to a more aggressive defense. More play on the balls of feet and less play on heals.

    #Get After it!

  107. JimmyJack Says:

    Don’t worry Lakeland once Winston makes a bigger impact on the TO numbers it will be a major talking point.

  108. Pancake block Says:

    No place to go but up

  109. JimmyJack Says:

    Pickgrin I think it was fair to give Mike Smith the bye week to fix his defense. I wonder what(if anything) was said the Smith entering the bye week by upper management.

  110. James Walker Says:

    I can get worse, and it will get worse.

  111. James Walker Says:

    ***It can get worse

  112. LakeLand Says:

    The offense also had a bye week to prepare for the Falcons pathetic defense, that was missing 4 starters

    The same defense that came into the game allowing 32.6 points a game
    121 points in the last 3 games

    The Bucs scored 29, they should scored at least 40 on this pathetic defense

  113. Dapostman Says:

    @lakeland,

    I agree they should have scored more. Like 38. Red zone INT and missed PAT’s added. Doesn’t take into account that they gave up 34 points and are dead last in points against. The offense isn’t the problem nor are they last. It’s the defense.

  114. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I hope this Duffner guy does better as defensive coordinator, but it is not like our Linebackers have been exactly well coached. Several times this year the TV Crews have commented about our poor linebacker play. In fact Mr Linebacker himself Chris Spielman commented a few times about the poor play of our linebackers this last game!

  115. JimmyJack Says:

    1st and goal from the two. We weren’t prepared.

    This should be an automatic play. This should be something that we have been practicing and the play needs to be run like clockwork. There is no shooting yourself in the foot on a first down goalline play!!!! This isn’t f***ing amateur hour.

    So yeah our offense is good but they are nowhere near prepared enough to be a legitimate contender in this league. Your only as good as your weakest link in this league and it’s on the HC to find the weak links and fix them.

  116. GhostofSchiano Says:

    adam from ny Says:

    jpp’s sideline beefing was the last straw…he kept saying
    “that smitty’s gotta go”…he is our team leader – put a “C” on his chest now dirk or you too will be run out of town…

    #JppIsTheClintEastwoodOfTheBuccaneers

    DID THIS REALLY HAPPEN? DOES ANYONE KNOW? DID JPP SAY THAT?

  117. Wesley Says:

    This should have happened BEFORE the bye, I mean hello? Also Buckner should have replaced him.

  118. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Jason Licht trying to save face he is the real problem

  119. Rod Munch Says:

    Lakeland is truly a triggered idiot – the offense puts up what should have been 31 points, over 500 yards, a QB has 400 yards and 4 TDs and you don’t think they’re doing enough. LOL! Do me a favor and go shove your head into the mouth of a alligator then give it your boring rants about Jameis, just keep going until you hear a snap.

  120. Buccfan37 Says:

    A moment of silence for Snuffy Smith.

  121. Buddy’s Homie Says:

    Try not losing great coach’s like Joe Cullen who is the top 3 DLine coaches in the NFL. Dudes DLine had 11 sacks this weekend a team record and he got the gameball. On defense it starts up front.

  122. Owlykat Says:

    This was the right decision two weeks late. Duffner needed two weeks to install changes to Smitty’s Stupid Defense and the break was the perfect time. This poor timing was certainly not fair and any delay in getting those changes set and the consequences of that delay are on Koetter. The next move Koetter also needs to do is boot Warhop as well for continued failure to coach the Offensive Line how to protect our QB. All our posters have known for some time that Benenoch is terrible at LG or LT. Warhop still continues to play Benenoch despite the fact Smith is the superior LG and Warhop also has Liedtke available as well who did a great job subbing for D. Smith at LT when he was hurt but Liedtke’s position is OG and he might even be better at LG than anyone on the roster. And Warhop let Omameh go awhile back who starts for the Giants. We could have used him now. Get a good OL Coach and you know the Falcons have a bad defense and we should never have had Jameis pressured and sacked like he was in this last game. Otherwise we could have won with a bad defense against the Falcons!

  123. Tackleblockwin Says:

    I just want to know if he will be in the box or on the sideline.

  124. SchlomieBarmitzahCircumScissorStein Says:

    Trent Dilfer as DC. Bobby Petrino as OC. Craig Erickson as head coach and Casey Weldon as Special Teams Coach.

  125. TheDailyAutopsy Says:

    👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
    👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
    😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

  126. NPRSageBoy Says:

    When is the parade? I figured by the way JoeBucFan lobbied for Mike Smith’s head, there would be a celebration on Dale Mabry by now.

  127. MadMax Says:

    Finally!!! Good grief…..and GOODBYE!!!!