Gerald McCoy: Bucs Need Greg Schiano-Style Coaching
December 9th, 2025
“Mr. Glazer, there’s a reason my guy Christian Izien led the team in tackles Sunday.”
What’s wrong with the Bucs?
Great question!
They’re 7-6 after the season starting 5-1.
Still time to fix stuff with four games remaining. That’s why coaches are in place and are paid handsomely.
This is not the Joe who thinks the Bucs’ identity is set in stone. It was just two years ago in early December that Chris Godwin’s wife teed off on Todd Bowles, which interestingly coincided with a change to Godwin’s usage and a strong improvement in the Bucs’ offense.
So what can improve the team now?
Six-time Bucs Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was talking fixes last night on the Buccaneers Radio Network. Now retired and working for NFL Network, McCoy stays very close to all things Bucs.
While discussing pulling the team and individual players out of their slide, McCoy hearkened back to the days of former Bucs commander Greg Schiano, the head coach in 2012 and 2013.
“Now, one thing I’ll say about Shiano is he did a lot of crazy things but he emphasized technique. He emphasized the basics,” McCoy said.
“And as long as you have the basics, your athleticism will fade. But your technique and your basics can always be there. And [the current Bucs] just need to get back to that.”
Will Gholston, the former Bucs defensive tackle (2013-2023), was on the show and seemed to respond favorably to McCoy thinking the Bucs now need to take a page out of Schiano’s book.
“He was a tactician, man,” Gholston said.
What Joe is sure of is that the “we’re good” and “we’re on the right track” mindset needs to go.
Speaking of Schiano, fans probably will get a smile out of seeing his comments in the Raise The Flags documentary on 50 years of Bucs history (10 parts!) that drops on Amazon Prime this Thursday. Schiano is extremely unapologetic for one of his most famous stunts.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:21 am
Either play better or get better players. Simple as that.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:22 am
Under Bowles this team just hasn’t showed consistently that they are mentally tough and play with heart. Been like this for the last few years despite winning the division. Playoff efforts have not matched the on-paper talent. Teams take on the personality of the HC. See McVay, Vrabel, Peyton, Macdonald, Ryans, Shanahan… hell even Coen & Canales. Most likely time for a change.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:24 am
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I’m not a GMC “hater”, but he says a lot of dumb sh*t every once and awhile
December 9th, 2025 at 10:24 am
omg no schiano like dolt. please.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:31 am
Schiano? For real? Honestly think this guy was hired because of the big USF vs Rutgers game BITD. Someone from the Bucs was prob at the game and probably thought… Ahhhh our next HC!! What a bad move..
December 9th, 2025 at 10:31 am
The biggest problem w/ Todd is his inability to adapt. He has a shut down corner w/ Dean this year but refuses to play man. What happened to him saying every 3 yrs. you need to change your D up? How do you continue to not change what is not working, that to me borders on mentally challenged. He and his coaches have been entrenched in a job that they are just happy “clocking in” and getting a paycheck. BTW that is exactly how this team plays!!!! He has many of the same coaches from his Jets days.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:32 am
A big NO to Schiano. He drove good players away, and gave us Mike Glennon as our quarterback.
Someone like Ben Johnson as HC and OC would be perfect. Or Bruce Arians.
But we will also need a new DC. One who designs a 4-3 defense,
December 9th, 2025 at 10:32 am
Schiano was a very Shi*iano coach.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Coulda woulda shoulda
Liam Coen
Glazers don’t have rhythm
Timing is everything
December 9th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Hard pass on anything that Schiano taught that team. McCoy (still my favorite) never won so what did that mentality actually accomplish. You can’t get rid of players as easily as you can get rid of coaches but at what point do we blame the execution of the players on the players and not scapegoat them by blaming the coaches?
December 9th, 2025 at 10:37 am
What’s wrong with the Bucs? Answer: Bowles
This can no longer be papered over.
Enough evidence has been viewed, gathered, and poured over.
“Just gotta get better” is all we hear every week, every year.
But we never get better for some odd reason.
Fire Bowles now, or continue on with mediocrity.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:37 am
eeboooo Says:
December 9th, 2025 at 10:31 am
Schiano? For real? Honestly think this guy was hired because of the big USF vs Rutgers game BITD.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No, it was because Bill Belicek recommended Schiano to the Glazers after Chip Kelly stiffed them.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Make Ronde Barber the GM
And trust his instincts!
December 9th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Clean Sweep!
December 9th, 2025 at 10:41 am
The problem with Bowles is that he tried to be more than the HC. That and he puts 0 emphasis on actual coaching, despite what he says in pressers
At least BA knew to hire coordinators.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:41 am
Schiano went 11 -21, I think we can do without a great tactician. Thanks GMC for another incredible insight.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Radio don’t have that in him. It’s very clear the defense is super soft and tuned him out. Your starting corner is bored really Todd!!!!
Special teams coach should have been bounced in October but nope we’re still letting up 50 yards a kickoff it’s ok though. No accountability none!!!
December 9th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Seriously????
How far are you going to go, in order to fire Bowles???
Sorry, this is too much for me….
December 9th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Joes???? What is going on with this team, I’m sure you guys know, it seems everyone else in the NFL knows the secret but us Buc fans. The comments Sherman and Florio made earlier this yr. are not made unless they truly know something. Spill the beans boys???????
December 9th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Wishing the Steelers didn’t win last week… Tomlin a possibility?
December 9th, 2025 at 10:51 am
“Schiano” headline brings back repressed memory of rancid puke smell on Sundays.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:51 am
Nope what the bucs need is a new coaching staff from the top to the bottom.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:53 am
I like McCoy. Yes many of his insights are good. This one, ah the fact that it is Schinao , ah no. However, yes we keep hearing fundamentals, better tackling, know assignments. However, nothing changes. This team, defense, has been a poor tackling , non swarming team for a good period of time. That is not a new thing.While talked about, it does not change. That is part of the problem. Poor tackling, well demand it and we will see it. Fundamentals, make the players do it, we will see it, swarming, make them do it we will see it. Demand it and we will see it. Talk about it we won’t.
Yes, we have not seen it, case closed, it is not being demanded, that simple. Therfore, it will not change
December 9th, 2025 at 10:54 am
“Schiano went 11 -21, I think we can do without a great tactician. Thanks GMC for another incredible insight.”
Offloaded Talib & Legarette Blount to New England so they could win championships
Scared off Michael Bennett to the other side off the country, to win titles with Seattle
Called Adrian Clayborn & Bowers 10-sack guys
Stunted our DL to the point they begged to just rush downhill.
Lost so much, he made rushing the opposing team in the victory formation a thing.
I know I’m missing alot, but Schianos’ run was the darkest of days.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:55 am
MRSA! That was another big, weird aspect of the Schiano era
December 9th, 2025 at 10:56 am
The mask has been removed from this organization and it exposes the glaring mistakes this franchise has made since 2022. Jason Licht and Bowles have failed spectacularly for all the world to see now. This is a bad football team and worse we’re a bad organization. Terrible personnel decisions. Terrible coaching and a team that looks like they’d rather be anywhere but playing football every damn week.. No masking it anymore. Big changes needed.
December 9th, 2025 at 10:57 am
UH OH – REMEMBER THE DRAFT ?
Licht went on and on about drafting “Bucs-type players”. Remember: Licht drafts for culture and mental makeup, as much as play. 1/3 of all players are disqualified before the draft.
Right now, we’re talking about cultural issues. Players (and multiple players) giving up on the coach and on the team.
What if Licht’s culural DNA breeds quitters?
December 9th, 2025 at 11:01 am
Clean Sweep
Ronde Barber
The new GM and go from there.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:04 am
Yep hard pass on anything remotely related to Schiano… MRSA… Geez!
Possible (Dreaming) Next Bucs:
Tomlin
McCarthy
Joe Brady
Kubiak
Flores
Saleh
Marcus Freeman
ha ha – Belichick
December 9th, 2025 at 11:08 am
How do you guys get GMC’s positive comment on Schiano’s coaching of technique as him wanting Schiano to come back to the Bucs?
December 9th, 2025 at 11:08 am
Camel toes on the line, Shiano ? Why not tap Lovie Dovie for the leave points on the field before half strategy? It’s not bad enough that The Bucs paid McCoy a a hundred million plus ( 115ish ) during the disastrous lost decade as Joe calls it. Now some “free” advice? Nobody sent out the “bat signal”. Just how fugly & calamitous will the final month of the season get?!
December 9th, 2025 at 11:15 am
as much as ive seen bowles issues when there were good players on defense. licht has to take some major blame with the players on defense needing a 36 year old retired player. brady and arians cant recruit anymore for licht and his deficiencies are showing just like in the winston days
December 9th, 2025 at 11:18 am
You ever notice how much disarray the Bucs pre snap offense is? They are always snapping the ball with the clock running out. Was watching the game last night and the ball was getting snapped around 15 to 12 seconds before the clock runs out.
Again, this is a coaching thing, get up on the line read it and play or change the play. It is ridiculous how an OC has muddy the waters so much that everyone plays like they are in a fog versus last year.
Same with defense they are so confused on what is going on, that a rookie QB can rip off a 40 yard TD setting personal best against a Bucs Defense.
ITS TOO EMBARRASSING TO EVEN WATCH. ITS ALL ON THE COACHING.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:22 am
This is the beginning of the end for Licht and Bowles
They know, we know it…Glazers know it.
Bye bye. SHow’s over.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:27 am
Permanently moderated:
Great question. Breathe of fresh air
December 9th, 2025 at 11:30 am
There’s a nice Dallas Cowboys series on Netflix. Emphasis is on Jerry Jones and the Aikman, Irving, Smith years. Players complained about Jimmy Johnson being a hard a$$, but he was a winner. Along comes Barry Switzer, a player’s coach. Cowboys won initially, then catered. The players and specifically Aikman speak about missing Johnson and his discipline.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:35 am
“How do you guys get GMC’s positive comment on Schiano’s coaching of technique as him wanting Schiano to come back to the Bucs?”
Because that positive technique made for terrible environment in the locker room. Iirc treating adult men, like college kids didn’t go over well. Sort of like Morris treating players(even though they were) like his peers off the clock didn’t go over too well.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Really no one likes to work in a stressful environment, but there is a difference between working at Olive Garden for $15/hr and being stressed out and getting paid NFL type $$$$$. Structure, discipline, accountability are good things.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Funny. The Glazers undoubtedly spent a small fortune and years of time focusing on a documentary (that I will not watch) that shines a light on the past 50 years of this franchise.
They should have focused their efforts on the future.
December 9th, 2025 at 11:56 am
McCoy is McKook
December 9th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
Gruden
December 9th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
So sad to say but respect mad respect for Mr.Bowles. Never gonna win a chip though. Need a McVay type.
December 9th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
How ironic for the Glazers to celebrate the 50th anniversary during a season such as this. They BLEW IT !
December 9th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
BucUSays is 100% correct. The Brady effect is long gone from this franchise and Brady was the de facto GM during his time here. Take away the players he brought in and Licht has been a below average GM. His JPP stunt is a hail Mary desperate attempt to try to motivate a team with 4 games left. Losing to the Saints was the final nail in the coffin. No dawgs on this team, no heart, no passion and no accountability. Blow it all up.
December 9th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
I have been super critical of Bowles in the past and gave Licht a pass. NO MORE! I’ve heard all his sweet talk about building a “culture” here in Buc Land. No bad apples. And, look what we have got. A team in a tail spin.
Final straw was watching other teams CONSISTENTLY rush the opposing passer, often with players picked up in mid-season. What did we do at mid-season… squat!!!
I believe Bowles has convinced Licht his defense to too complex for a guy to learn at mid-season so just passed on improving this sick team. He has to go hand-in-hand with Bowles out the door.
I would second the hiring of Ronde Barber for GM. He was a smart cookie as a player- -maybe some of that talent would turn into a good GM
December 9th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
picking coaches in the nfl is a crap shoot no guarantees, if your players are not good all the good coaching in the world will not help and vice versa remember wayne fonts? starting over is daunting but liam coen is looking good in jacksonville, last year may have been the best bucs offense besides brady’s sb year
December 9th, 2025 at 12:29 pm
We could really use Liam Coen as HC, he’s a great OC….oh too little too late.
December 9th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
I’m pretty sure what McCoy is trying to say is that it’s SO BAD that it’s come down to some militaristic type of coaching just to get these guys heads out of the clouds.
BTW, IT “IS” THAT BAD!
And Just ONE MORE THING…..
I’m D@M SURE that I’m reading comments from a WHOLE BUNCH of “former?” POLLYANNA’S!
A WHOLE LOT OF YOU DIDN’T SEEM TO HAVE CLUE! AND NOW YOUR THE AUTHORITY OF WHATS GOOD OR BAD? PLEASE……….GIVE ME A FCKING BREAK!
Good for you that you FINALLY RIPPED OFF the “Rossey Colored Glasses”!
Problem IS…. IT’S TOO D@M LATE! NOW WHAT???
Yall have PLENTY of BANDWAGON COMMENTS and CRITICISMS, BUT NOT A ONE OF YOU HAVE AN ANSWER! START WORKING ON THAT!
December 9th, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Liam is duuuvaaalll dead to me. Forget it bruh…like a crazy exgirlfriend better left in the past.
December 9th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Toes on the line! Damn, we’re about to go back into the death spiral of the coaching carousel.
December 9th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
I could see him as DC but no way HC.
December 9th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
OMG, I almost fell out of my desk chair reading this! Schiano and basics 😂😂
December 9th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
Let me translate for Gerry. We need a new head coach.
December 9th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Bowles is clueless his defense is too complicated and he refuses to uncomplicate it iand it will mean the end of his career as a head coach
December 9th, 2025 at 1:46 pm
Hate on Schiano all you want, but he had a inferior team when he came on board late, and didn’t have the best pot of coordinators to choose from when he was building his coaching staff.
He actual put a respectable product on the field in his first season, and it was a nice change from the previous Rah year, which was an absolute embarrassment.
His last season was an absolute disaster, some of which was bad lack, such as MRSA incident. Freeman was a headcase. He did us a favor there, albeit a little earlier than what most coaches would have dealt with.
December 9th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Most of yall are taking what GMC said out of context. He’s not saying make him the coach again. What he is saying is they need to get back to the basics and if you watch the defense he’s absolutely right. Look at all the missed tackles and poor technique by all the players even the vets. Lack of controlling their gaps. This defense looks like a junior varsity team. This isn’t just on coaching. Coaches shouldn’t have to talk about this types of issues when you have a team full of vets these are all issues you learn in the beginning of football in pee wee league. Come on. The playes have got to tighten up and play pro football. Coaches gotta do better to but man these should be none issues from our vets
December 9th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
Greg Schiano was okay at coaching the defense…but he was out of control as a head coach.
That said, he was brought in to bring discipline to the team, and he did that.
December 9th, 2025 at 3:48 pm
Exactly, #1bucsfan… It’s like, do they even READ the articles, at all? All he said was that he was good at coaching the little things, and prioritizing fundamentals. Just like any good college coach would.
December 9th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
Right here. Toes on the Line. And I mean that Sh…
December 9th, 2025 at 6:21 pm
Toes on the line!
December 9th, 2025 at 7:14 pm
The Bucs do not need Jersey Trash(tm) college coach to come in and ruin the QB and run the franchise into the ground, while trading away great players to his buddy in New England for nothing.
December 9th, 2025 at 8:32 pm
How about those Glazer boys, do they even like or know anything about football?
December 9th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
If Bowels is going to go, Licht had better have the next HC in the crosshairs and ready to sign.