When Bucco Bruce Arians Was Hired, Lavonte David Told Bucs He Wanted To Leave
September 23rd, 2025
Saved by the coach.
Lavonte David knew nothing but losing in the NFL prior to the Bucs winning the Super Bowl for the 2020 season.
Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. In 2016, the Bucs finished one game over .500, 9-7. Aside from that season, David never knew what it was like to play for a winner, never knew a playoff snap.
David also did not like coaching changes. Bucs fans may remember the night lousy Lovie Smith was fired and David took to Twitter to vent about the transaction. David shortly thereafter deactivated his Twitter account.
Three years later, Smith’s successor, Dirk Koetter, was shown the door, even though David, appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show” today, admitted Koetter didn’t have a football culture.
Still, another coaching change, the third in David’s seven seasons in the NFL, reinforced by years of losing, finally got to him.
Just like David detailed to Chucky, David told McAfee’s audience that he was done with the Bucs. He said he called Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and told him he needed a change of scenery.
And if it wasn’t for Bucco Bruce Arians, David years ago may have left for another team or perhaps may have retired.
“When Coach BA [Arians] got hired — and he can probably tell you this, too — I thought about leaving,” David said today. “I reached out to Jason [Licht] and said, ‘Hey, I know you guys are bringing in a new coach but maybe it’s time for me to leave and try something different.’
“A couple of hours later, a few moments later, I got on the phone with BA.”
And Arians was able to talk David off the ledge.
“I changed my mind, ASAP,” David said after chatting with Arians. “When [Arians] got there, I definitely figured out what it was like to be an NFL football player (with) him coming in and changing the culture and establishing a foundation for a football team.
“I fell in love with the game all over again.”
Part of the reason David got fed up was that he was uncomfortable flipping to a 34 defense for the first time in his adult life. After a brainstorming session with Todd Bowles and taking the responsibilities of Bowles’ defense at inside backer out for a test drive in underwear football, David said his mindset changed completely.
“I’ve been having fun ever since.”
David said his passion for football is what has kept him returning playing at 35 years old.
“I definitely thank BA and Bowles,” David said. “Those guys definitely helped me fall in love with the game again.”
Obviously, David was asked when will he hang up his cleats. He’s currently ranks eighth all-time in tackles.
David said has a passion and love for the game will be a key factor if he returns or calls it a career.
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:08 pm
and BA came through and got LVD a ring
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:11 pm
I love how LVD is coming out of his shell and demanding some recognition is a very subtle way.
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Yea, I kind of get where Davids’ head may have been after Koetter got fired because 3 HCs in 7 seasons and all that losing had to take a toll on David considering how good and competitive he appears to be.
Agreed, on David voicing himself more publicly. I the think the last 2-3 years he’s done more outside interviews than he had at any point prior to these last few years. Wouldn’t doubt him retiring and eventually becoming a coach at some level of the game.
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:26 pm
LVD! The man.. the Flash!
I wonder if he knows how beloved he is by us fans?
Thank you for all your play and more, LVD!
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:28 pm
Too bad Arians couldn’t connect and keep AB in a good space, or the Bucs likely repeat.
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:29 pm
Now that I think about it, how much of this had to do with being on a team with an offense led by Jameis?
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:57 pm
LVD and Bobby Wagner should be going to the HOF side by side. I know Wagner will get the recognition before LVD because of the Pro Bowl nods. But the tale of the tape say these two LB’s from the same rookie draft class in the same round are indistinguishable in their accomplishments.
6-10 years from now it will a travesty if they both aren’t equally celebrated in Canton.
September 23rd, 2025 at 4:58 pm
That’s a surprising statement to make publicly. Clearly Dirk Koetter was lousier than Lovie Smith.
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:06 pm
I’ll always be a fan of #54.
He weathered the storms.
Not much different than the early days of Brooks.
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:27 pm
Man imagine how some of these absolute superstars fell like in Cleveland joe thomas one of the best ever stayed losing and coaching changes now Myles Garrett
September 23rd, 2025 at 5:29 pm
LVD is my favorite Buc ever and he has played his tail off since day one. I’d say he’s lost a step but just one. He’s still got the speed to play and his experience is really showing the past couple years. So glad he was convinced to stay. The Bucs, AND David may have never gotten that ring if he left.
September 23rd, 2025 at 6:01 pm
I liked Koetter but started to doubt him when I saw him wearing flip flops on Hard Knocks. The coaches swore too much, too. I’m sure they all do some, but it starts to sound fake and unprofessional after too long, imo.
September 23rd, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Surprised he didn’t talk about Schiano toes in the line. That was one of the worst hires this organization has ever seen.
September 23rd, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Not only should LVD make the hall of fame I think he should be knighted. Just think, Sir Lavonte David.
Thank you, Lavonte, we love and appreciate you.
September 23rd, 2025 at 7:44 pm
He talked about Schiano very briefly. He didn’t mention toes on the line.
September 23rd, 2025 at 9:16 pm
Schiano had to deal with lots of crazy events: MRSA, mysterious injuries, mysterious substances, malcontents, and it appeared he had little cred in the locker room. But he was still better than Clueless Lovie – the worst coach in Buc history!
September 23rd, 2025 at 9:23 pm
Huge LVD punter here. Have been from the time he was drafted. Not surprised one iota that he got so frustrated with all the coaching merry-go-rounds with this team. I also remember how thrilled he was coming off the field at night when the Bucs secured their playoff spot which eventually lead to the SB in Tampa. He removed his helmet as he came off the field and the lights showed his face. It was wet with tears of joy. This proud man and great football player. I was absolutely thrilled for him. And why not again this year? The Bucs didn’t win the Division. They were the road team all the way to the SB. Let’s go Bucs and LVD!! NFC Championship or bust!! You have the talent, guts and heart. We fans have your back.
September 23rd, 2025 at 9:25 pm
Joe you should run a weekly article campaigning for the fan base, ownership and other local Bucs reporters and promoters to vote for Lavonte in the pro bowl and our national writers to highlight him and get him another all pro nod.
September 23rd, 2025 at 10:55 pm
“Schiano had to deal with lots of crazy events: MRSA, mysterious injuries, mysterious substances, malcontents, and it appeared he had little cred in the locker room. But he was still better than Clueless Lovie – the worst coach in Buc history!“
Schiano WAS the crazy event!! Shipped Blount & Talib to New England for next to nothing, ran off Micheal Bennett, and treated grown men like college kids. Don’t get me started on that loser tactic of rushing the victory formation. I was at MetLife for the Giants game when Coughlin dressed that bozo down at midfield, and he deserved it.
Please do not prop up one of the most mediocre coaches in the dark decade to bash an equally mediocre coach from the same decade.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:39 pm
GO BOWLES!!!
September 24th, 2025 at 5:23 am
Good to hear Lvd credit Arians for changing the culture and establishing a foundation for a football team. Brady added some important things like being a professional, tips on being a pro football player, taking care of their bodies
to extend their careers, and having a winning attitude. But time caught up to him,
and, IMO he lost some of that in his final season here.