Marcus West Will Coach The Bucs’ Defensive Line
January 29th, 2026
Per SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Buccaneers have a new defensive line coach.
That’s Marcus West.
After leaving NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League as a player in 2007, West, a University of Memphis defensive lineman, jumped into college coaching. He then landed with the Buffalo Bills as an assistant defensive line coach. He was promoted to primary Buffalo D-line coach in 2024, and it seems he was released along with the rest of the Bills’ defensive staff after the team fired head coach Sean McDermott this month.
Joe hopes West, 42, is a strong up-and-comer. His Bills’ run defense, however, was miserable last season.
Perhaps there’s a connection between West getting the Bucs gig and the Bucs flirting with McDermott recently.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Can’t be any worse than Strong was.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
Unfortunately, unless Licht does something drastic by adding quality players he won’t have much to work with. Hopefully Hall jumps ship and the Bucs can use the money to get a decent FA.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
“Joe hopes West, 42, is a strong up-and-comer. His Bills’ run defense, however, was miserable last season.”
Sounds like a match made in heaven for Toad Bowels.
This guy will never out shadow the HC\DC defensive guru.
3rd and 28
January 29th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
It’s a good hire,
Now we need D-Line players that can actually play football
I have zero confidence in Vita Vea, and Kancey is good for 5-6 games
Logan Hall is finally gone ( Thank God)
The rest of them are low quality backups
January 29th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
These hires say a lot about Bowles and Licht … Two dead men walking.
Remember the Coen and Canales hires … “Up and coming young genius minds.”
Now it’s the absolute bottom of the barrel. Just unemployed hacks, with a pulse, standing in the unemployment line.
Expect the Bucs to tank next year. 1-3 wins.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
Was at Minnesota with Winfield and another former Buc coach PJ Fleck as a DL pass rush specialist in 2018.
For anybody looking for ties to the team.
Wanted Nate Ollie, still a slight chance we can add him if interested, but this makes it less likely.
We’ll see what Coach West can do
January 29th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
F’ing fire Todd Bowles !! Feels good to say it ! Bowles sucks so bad … .500 ball and he was gifted the job w/o a coaching search ! Great job Glazer kids !! This organization sucks !! What ever a fan since’76 so I have thick skin !
January 29th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Myles Garrett has requested a trade!
January 29th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Strong ready for
2026 RINSE AND REPEAT
January 29th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
He just needs some players. CK needs to stay healthy. This dude has no where to go but up with current group.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
West was an assistant D line coach last year and is getting his shot. I hope he takes advantage of it ! Go Bucs!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Not gonna pretend I have any clue about some of these position coaches. All I know is, I have little faith in marked improvement on the defense if the direction is the same with Bowles. Its a flawed scheme for today’s game in my opinion and im not going to hold my breath that a 62 year old Bowles is going to suddenly have an epiphany.
Players play the game, so the only real hope is that the players can overcome.
January 29th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Looks about right. A defensive assistant for the worst run-stopping d-line in the league. Another unemployed scrap we pulled from the trash heap.
Reminds me of when we fired the 2nd worst Special Teams coach only to hire the worst Special Teams coach in the NFL.
January 29th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Sounds like a 4-3 coach ???
January 29th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
He should be better than Charlie Strong. Under Strong, the DL got worse this season. Vita’s sacks went from 7 in ’24 to 4.5 last year, and Logan Hall went from 5.5 to 1.5 sacks.
The Bucs need to decide what to do with Logan Hall. According to Spotrac, Hall is projected to sign a three-year, $23.9 million deal in free agency. I don’t have a strong feeling about Hall. He’s solid in the run game but lacks any pass rush moves. I’m not sure he’s worth $8M a year.
Eligah Roberts made some plays as a rookie and could replace Hall if Kancey can miraculously stay healthy.
i still want a DT in the draft. I don’t see Licht picking up a DL in FA, so maybe go ILB/EDGE/DT3 in the first 3 rounds?
January 29th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Well, we still could use DC Jim Schwartz… that would be Spiffy!
And speaking of NFL Europe, Old School Jack Del Rio would be pretty groovy!!! I was watching this past weekend and when Del Rio had an In His Prime Von Miller and others, that 2014…2015 Bronco defense was terrific
Just another name to throw out there!!!
Lastly, I wish Marcus West Well!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Haha
No mention of a DC
So we stay with Mediocre Coach
We ALL SAW HORRIBLE decline in Defense
And the BUCS DO THE SANE THING
THATS INSANITY
BUT YOU BUCS FANS BE GOOD FANS AND CHEER
January 29th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
This should get us right to a Super Bowl Win! Manchester Buccaneers are going all the way this year!
January 29th, 2026 at 2:28 pm
Bowzo is hiring Lucy from Peanuts to hold for the FG attempts….Super Bowl here we come. Charlie Brown is our new kicker.
January 29th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
it is amazing how many coaches and OCs get fired after having very successful seaons, yet here we sit broken hearted with former defensive guru todd bowles for another upcoming losing or 500 season. with him doing double damage as HC DC. glazers done flipped their wigs
January 29th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Buc4evr, I agree, the Bucs need defensive players up front. Vea lost a step or 2 last season and Logan Hall was just a warm body on the DL last season. The backup other than Nelson was none existent
January 29th, 2026 at 2:42 pm
Can he teach the lineman how to play corner?
January 29th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
JimBobBuc Says:
January 29th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
He should be better than Charlie Strong. Under Strong, the DL got worse this season. Vita’s sacks went from 7 in ’24 to 4.5 last year, and Logan Hall went from 5.5 to 1.5 sacks.
The Bucs need to decide what to do with Logan Hall. According to Spotrac, Hall is projected to sign a three-year, $23.9 million deal in free agency. I don’t have a strong feeling about Hall. He’s solid in the run game but lacks any pass rush moves. I’m not sure he’s worth $8M a year.
———
I would be shocked if anyone paid Hall $8M a year, but with the exploding cap, perhaps what is what he gets. Seems more like a good back-up level player, even if he’s starting, which would probably get around $4-5M.
In the long run he could end up, perhaps, with a William Gholston like career, where he just sort of sticks around and eventually becomes appreciated.
January 29th, 2026 at 3:00 pm
bills run defense was a sieve
January 29th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
There was some question about the Bills run defense last season. I looked up stats and the Bills were like 28th in run defense Could that had been the personnel up front? My point here is, the Bucs run defense was 5th last season and with a DL coach who was immediately fire after the season and the Bucs run defense was the same the year before under a different DL coach. So was that Vea or the DL coach
January 29th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
“My point here is, the Bucs run defense was 5th last season and with a DL coach who was immediately fire after the season and the Bucs run defense was the same the year before under a different DL coach. So was that Vea or the DL coach“
It’s the scheme, we’ve been top 5-10 run defending since 2019 in terms of yards allowed per game in all but 1 season
1st in ‘19 & ‘20.
3rd in ‘21
15th in ‘22
4th in ‘23
3rd in ‘24
6th in ‘25
Every year we’ve also finished averaging a fraction of a rush TD on a per game basis.
I’d say it’s more than Vita or any particular DL coach, and more a combination of other elements of the day with those 2 included.
January 29th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Every hiring move needs to be scrutinized by local scribes as this is JL & TB prove it year. Either they succeed or they’re out. What do the Joes think of this unknown?
January 29th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
rearranging chairs on the titanic
January 29th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Red Skeleton Says:
January 29th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
Sounds like a 4-3 coach ???
SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
For the most part I tend to know almost nothing about rank and file assistant coaches. I am almost certain that this guy couldn’t possibly be any worse. I certainly think he will be better if bowlzo doesn’t insist that our pass rushers try to cover receivers while giving a 15 yard cushion
January 29th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Good. Now go get him some linemen.
January 29th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
The only thing bigger than Todd Bowles’ ego is his stomach. Whatever the line is for another Bowles disaster I’m taking the under and doubling down. Why would anyone want to come work with him?
January 29th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
tucker looked like doug martin vs bills run d
January 29th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
What good is a stout run defense,
When teams are throwing on you every down
We need a COMPLETE defense, good against the pass and run
The ONLY reason our run defense is top ranked
Because are not wasting plays by running on us
Why run for 4 yards ….when you can throw for 15?
January 29th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
“””Because teams are not wasting plays by running on us””*
January 29th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
@ jimmy
“doing double damage as HC DC”
Ha…I like that.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
Switching to a more traditional 4-3 is the only thing that might save the likes of Anthony Nelson and Vita Vea from having to cover the curl/flat and deep middle respectively in the Bowles defense.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Finally! A Defensive hire!!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
I actually like Hall. Maybe not as a starter at the moment, but I like him.
January 29th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
I was hoping we’d consider Sapp
January 29th, 2026 at 5:10 pm
“The ONLY reason our run defense is top ranked
Because are not wasting plays by running on us
Why run for 4 yards ….when you can throw for 15?”
Pros and cons.
Con: your pass defense is constantly being test
Pro: you have a chance at rendering an offense 1-dimensional before the week of prep turns to game day
Not all bad, not all good either. What matters most, is having the players to make plays more often than not.
January 29th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
Garrett does want out oh what a dream it’s a beautiful dream, too bad that’s all it is lol
January 29th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
MARCUS WEST – TAMPA BAY DL COACHING PROFILE
Age: 42
Hired: Jan 28, 2026
Previous: Buffalo Bills DL Coach (2022–2025)
COLLEGE → PRO DEVELOPMENT TRACK RECORD
• Alex Highsmith (Charlotte) – Walk-on MLB → DE conversion → 14 sacks (2nd nationally) → Steelers 3rd Rd → $68M extension
• Boye Mafe (Minnesota) – Redshirt freshman → Seahawks 2nd Rd (2022) → 10.5 sacks in 2025
• Davis Tull (Chattanooga) – 37 career sacks, 2× SoCon DPOY → Saints 5th Rd
• Markees Watts (Charlotte) – 21.5 career sacks → Bucs UDFA → Made 53-man roster (reunites with West)
NFL PRODUCTION UNDER WEST (BUFFALO)
• Greg Rousseau – Career-high 8 sacks (2024), 24 QB hits (T-7th NFL)
• AJ Epenesa – Inconsistent early → productive rotation piece under West
2026 FREE AGENTS HE’S COACHED
High-Value Targets:
• Boye Mafe (SEA) – EDGE | Age 27 | Market: $12–15M | 10.5 sacks (2025)
• AJ Epenesa (BUF) – EDGE | Age 27 | Market: $8–10M | Breakout 2023–24
Veteran Depth:
• Joey Bosa (BUF) – EDGE | Age 30 | Market: $7–9M | 5.0 sacks (2025)
COACHING STYLE / PHILOSOPHY
• Hands-on, physical drill instruction (no bags)
• “Match me” mentality — players feel technique live
• Prioritizes first-step twitch over measurables
• Talent-forward lens: “Why would I take him?”
CONCERNS / NOTES
• Bills sack rate fell to 23rd (2024)
• Hospitalized Nov 10, 2024 (heat-related; released same day)
• Limited sample as primary NFL DL coach
• Tampa heat = something to monitor
POTENTIAL ADDITION
Winston DeLattiboudere III – Former Cardinals DL Coach (2024–25)
• Played for West at Minnesota
• Followed West to Charlotte (GA)
• Personally recruited into coaching by West
• Strong chemistry, available after Gannon firing
January 29th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Strong’s a bum. If West is average he’ll look like a genius.
January 29th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
Interesting timing 😅:
• Jan 26 – The Bucs And Boye Mafe
• Jan 29 – Marcus West will coach the DL
Same coach. Same player. Three days apart 👀
January 29th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
@LUVMYBUCS
Digging in the crates, nice
“• Markees Watts (Charlotte) – 21.5 career sacks → Bucs UDFA → Made 53-man roster (reunites with West)”
January 29th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Fire Bowles & hire the former Buffalo coach. No-brainer.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
Fire Bowles & hire the former Buffalo coach. Then hire Jim Schwarz as the DC. No brainer.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
Yet Another Treasure for below 500 Todd Bowles.You gotta wanna be great fellow Buc fans. And we, enjoy being either slightly above 500, at 500, or below that. Thats our ceiling.
January 29th, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Great for his personal resume, not a good sign for 2026 Bucs W/L
Come on Tomlin 2027!
January 29th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Upgrade from Charlie Strong but the Bills’ D was not stellar last season, look at how the Bucs did fairly well against them even with all the issues the Bucs had with their interior OL, hurt receivers and a banged up Baker who was extremely limited after the bye. Then again, with all the coaching vacancies, Todd Bowles’ D is not going to be a top 5 choice for coaches looking for new digs.
January 29th, 2026 at 9:12 pm
@Warren Brooks Lynch
Diggin’ in the crates — indeed 😌
Shows that even at the college DL level, West was already tutoring future NFL talent. Maybe not all S-tier names, but legit pros nonetheless.
I respect the hands-on approach. That style usually translates when you’re working with young, moldable guys.
Should really help accelerate development for Walker, Roberts, Simmons, and whoever they bring in via the draft 👀
January 29th, 2026 at 9:19 pm
Sounds like the last ST coach Bowles hired from the Geemen, he sucked there and our ST suffered under him. Seeing that Bowles only hires a certain kind of coach even if they’re no good tells me our defense and team will continue to suck for a long as he’s here
January 29th, 2026 at 11:31 pm
Just plain awful. What are we doing?
January 30th, 2026 at 6:14 am
3rd and 28…
4th and 14…
the real question is………
what woud west do on 5th and 7…we’d like to know
January 30th, 2026 at 10:19 am
D line coach….OK men eat 10 plates of food then go run and get the guy with the football if anyone gets in way run over them. Do not do it til the ball is hiked.. How hard can that be?
January 30th, 2026 at 11:10 am
“I respect the hands-on approach. That style usually translates when you’re working with young, moldable guys.
Should really help accelerate development for Walker, Roberts, Simmons, and whoever they bring in via the draft 👀“
Hey, if he can get Mo Kamara to tap in and bring his collegiate level of play to his pro game I’m for it. Whatever works.
Big fan of both Elijahs’, and have expressed on here we should start trying to re-work Roberts as a DE/OLB, but he’s got to get his ability to gap up and play the run a little better. That kid can win 1 on 1 tho
January 30th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
Other than helping to bring in a vheap free agent edge, im doubtful,
January 30th, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Will he be just a Yes Man for Todd?