Bucs Find In-House Answers; Hire Todd Bowles’ Son
February 12th, 2026
It’s well documented that Todd Bowles sent a lot of assistant coaches packing this offseason, in addition to having a couple guys retire.
Heck, Bowles launched about as many coaches as the Bucs had sacks from edge rushers last season.
Today, the Bucs announced various hirings, many of which already had been reported.
They included three major in-house promotions: Tim Atkins to safeties coach, Rashad Johnson to cornerbacks coach and Chad Wade to head strength and conditioning coach.
The Bucs also hired Bowles’ son, Todd Bowles Jr., as defensive assistant, and Luke Smith as assistant special teams coach. Smith happens to be the nephew of new Bucs special teams coordinator Danny Smith. (There is no truth to the rumor that Zac Robinson’s wife is now in charge of Jason Licht’s junk food feast on draft night.)
Bowles’ son recently wrapped up his college playing career at Long Island University and Rutgers.
Joe is intrigued by the in-house promotions of Atkins, Johnson and Wade, who has been with the Bucs since the Raheem Morris era.
Are they the best men for the job after an exhausting national search to make the Bucs the very best they can be? Joe’s not sure. But coaches deserve a shot. Perhaps each suggested significant changes that resonated well with Bowles.
Ira Kaufman Talks Edge Rusher Options, YaYa Diaby & Money, The Bucs’ View Of Baker Mayfield, Staff Shakeup, And Much More
February 12th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Hiring your son doesn’t sound like a good idea – just invites speculation
February 12th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
One good thing about having low expectations for next season is the numbness one develops to stories (of nepotism) such as this. As a fan I still intend on watching the (sh!t?)show however it all plays out in 2026-2027.
February 12th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
This tracks
February 12th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
If Junior is half as good as his dad, Bucs fans are in great shape. Nepotism is the best. Remember Lovie Smith.
February 12th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Wow Bowles family just sucking up undesrved money @ defensive back coaches promoted after being so pathetic, his hideous 8 year nfl career he wont hire anyone who has a brain other than give up 1st downs give up yardage wont do something different, stubborn mule frustrating knowing 2026 is gonna be the same old pitifulness…. ” we” ‘ need more turnover, mis-communication. blah blah blah
February 12th, 2026 at 6:29 pm
hired his son with no experience hello !!!
February 12th, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Those with BDS (Bowles Derangement Syndrome) will need to seek mental health treatment after today, now that there are two of them! 😉
February 12th, 2026 at 6:36 pm
Are they joking??????
February 12th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
At least sons are often at odds with their father. We can only hope that is the case here.
February 12th, 2026 at 6:39 pm
Todd hiring his son is of no surprise to me. I believe after this season, they will all be history. Kinda nice to start your coaching resume straight out of college with a pro job though. Nice work if you can get it.
February 12th, 2026 at 6:41 pm
OMG – going to be a lot of panties in a wad over this one – Lol 🙂
February 12th, 2026 at 6:42 pm
Great. Now I’ve got visions of Johnny McKay in my head.
February 12th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
It now can’t be dismissed outright that Bowles has serious blackmail material on the Glazers.
February 12th, 2026 at 6:53 pm
Hiring your son ??? Looks like nothing is going to change so you might as well go hire your family & friends….BUT I AM ACCOUNTABLE….WE WILL FIX IT ……..lol
February 12th, 2026 at 6:58 pm
Yes Dad!
Whatever you say Dad!
Destroy my career before it even starts… Thanks Dad!
February 12th, 2026 at 7:04 pm
Lovie smith 2.0 hiring his kids.
February 12th, 2026 at 7:07 pm
They promoted from within because last season turned out so well that big search to get the right people in place because that was the problem and this is what they turned in lmao can’t even make it up
February 12th, 2026 at 7:10 pm
It’s just comical at this point. Counting down the days for this blowhard to be launched into the sun.
February 12th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
This is preposterous!!! This is as bad as It gets!! This organization is a total DISASTER!!! Just what they needed to do, miss off more fans….oh my!!!!
February 12th, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Ah, darn autospell…piss off, not miss off
February 12th, 2026 at 7:15 pm
“This makes perfect sense! Don’t all dads give their kids millions of dollars and chances in a sports franchise?” – Hugh
February 12th, 2026 at 7:18 pm
Great Googly Moogly!!!
Are Glazers fearful of the Rooney Rule?
Are the Glazers on Drugs?
What is the Issue at One Buc Place?
February 12th, 2026 at 7:20 pm
Totally up to the players to, “play it better”, now.
February 12th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
Hey, Junior learned at the feet of Greg Schiano. You know he had to be in high demand, Bucs probably had to pay a premium to hire Junior. He’s probably already a master at coaching off coverage soft zone defense.
Maybe they can hire Mrs. Bowles to be a nutrition expert for the team. She sure has don’t a great job helping Todd grow as a human.
February 12th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
I can’t believe we have two Todd Bowles on our team. Let this be s valuable lesson, it can always get worse. I wish I could Madden sim the 2026 season
February 12th, 2026 at 7:25 pm
The optics on this do not look good at all.
What’s that old saying? Timing is everything…
February 12th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
He’ll be great,as long as he does the exact opposite
February 12th, 2026 at 7:34 pm
What position will Bowles wife be hired to coach? It only makes sense between Todd and his son mom should have enough knowledge to coach something.
February 12th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
I have no words….
February 12th, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Par for the course. I didn’t think it could get worse but it did. This upcoming season is going to be a Greek tragedy.
February 12th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
more evidence of 2026 is a tank serason!
February 12th, 2026 at 8:16 pm
Wow Todd Bowles Jr 3 years college coaching then get hired as an assistant on one of the worst defenses in the NFL. That’s not a good look especially since technically he may not know more than Benjamin Morrison.
February 12th, 2026 at 8:22 pm
If you think there’s a national search for asst coaches, especially with the Bucs, get another drink.
Shanahan’s, Belicheat, Kubiaks, all of them brought their kid onto the payroll after college. It’s an easy staff fill for someone to be a gopher…..they’ll be as effective as the last group of assistants……HAHAHAHHAHA….
February 12th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Only the very best for out Bucs! I’m assuming they went through a comprehensive interview process considering dozens of qualified candidates before landing on Little B. . . .
February 12th, 2026 at 8:31 pm
I don’t actually have any issue with Todd hiring his son. I mean, if my son needed a chance that I could provide, I would do it in a heartbeat. Bowles is likely retiring soon, so this might be their last chance to work together.
It’s an assistant spot. No big deal.
What I do have a problem with is promoting from within. Those guys have done nothing to earn this shot.
Gotta admit, if all this works, they will be geniuses. If it doesn’t, what a fall!
February 12th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
I’m so disappointed I have to see this whole next season be a complete waste. I have a prediction that the season will turn out the same or worse and the Glazers still won’t fire Bowles.
February 12th, 2026 at 8:49 pm
“Perhaps each suggested significant changes that resonated well with Bowles” now THAT’S funny lol.
February 12th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Super bowl, here we come!
February 12th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Does not inspire confidence!
February 12th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Coming off a collapsed second half of the season, this feels like a tone deaf move.
February 12th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
Well there shouldn’t be any pressure for the kid to as good as his old man.
February 12th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Bowles Bowles Bowles Bowles Bowles Bowles. Spam spam spam spam. Welcome to the Bowles Bucs flying circus.
February 12th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
I thought we fired Lovie…
Lovie 2.0 🙄
February 12th, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Isn’t this what you do when nobody else wants the job?
February 12th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
What’s better than Todd Bowles? Two Todd Bowles! Problems solved. Glazers and JL going all out to put together crack staff!
February 12th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Why Joe?