Todd Bowles On Dismissing Several Assistants
March 2nd, 2026
Fully responsible.
The Bucs have had quite the roll over of coaches this offseason.
Many Bucs fans believe the Bucs needed to dismiss one more.
The man who stayed, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, told the local pen and mic club last week at the Indiana Convention Center that it was his call to dismiss former Josh Grizzard at offensive coordinator, plus quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, defensive line coach Charlie Strong and cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross, among other assistants.
Offensive assistant Tom Moore and safeties coach Nick Rapone retired. Strength and conditioning coach Anthony Piroli also was shown the door after the team was absolutely riddled with injuries.
“It was hard but it was necessary,” Bowles said. “You have to look in the mirror and be truthful with yourself.
“I always try to do that after the season. Start with myself and go to the coaches and then get to the players.”
Later on Tuesday, when Bowles appeared on the “Ira Kaufman Podcast,” Joe asked Bowles point-blank if the coaching moves were ordered from higher up the food chain at One Buc Palace. Absolutely not, Bowles said. His call alone.
Will these changes make a difference?
Offensively? Probably.
Defensively? Well, the guy who runs the defense and calls its plays survived the purge. So we shall see.
March 2nd, 2026 at 12:19 am
All of the coaches fired make sense to me. the fact that Strong, Ross, and McGaughey, made it this long or were hired in the first place makes Todd look really bad. Thad Lewis was touted as an up and comer if I remember correctly. That is kind of a head scratcher. Either we were fed a line, the touters were wrong, not Robinson’s man? Hope we have done alot better with their replacements.
Go Bucs!
March 2nd, 2026 at 12:21 am
Can the new defensive coaches teach our dudes how to tackle?
Go Bucs!
March 2nd, 2026 at 1:02 am
@Garro
We’d definitely do better every year if it was tackle & touch football. Well maybe.
March 2nd, 2026 at 1:15 am
Bowles has a one-year deal at this point, if he doesn’t make the playoffs, he’s done. If he doesn’t win the playoffs, he’s likely done.
So do whatever you want – just win, or you’re getting fired.
March 2nd, 2026 at 2:21 am
Why does Todd Bowles EVER talk about “looking in the mirror”? If he actually looked in the mirror, he would’ve fired the guy who deserved it the most, HIMSELF. Granted, some of the assistants should’ve never been hired in the first place (special teams), but that’s Bowles fault, too.
March 2nd, 2026 at 4:35 am
Special (not so much in 2025) teams might actually improve so I’m encouraged by the coaching hire(s). A new OC and his assistants may prove beneficial IF Bowles can stay away from meddling in offensive play calls during the game (yes meddle) so I hope to see flashes of brilliant play calling. However, promoting the assistants to the Defensive Assistants that were let go for poor results doesn’t necessarily inspire confidence and certainty isn’t going to fix the myriad of things that plagued the defense last year….tackling, speed, covering just about anyone, swarming to the ball, lack of communication, scheme….etc.
Hoping for a great season but eyes are wide open and I’m going with the under.
March 2nd, 2026 at 5:59 am
Bowles must have one of those wacky carnival mirrors in his house.
March 2nd, 2026 at 6:02 am
Todd Bowles looking into his mirror, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me”.
March 2nd, 2026 at 7:16 am
This idiot has no self awareness whatsoever. Unbelievable.
March 2nd, 2026 at 7:25 am
Okay, Bowles didn’t get fired. Message for the commenters GET OVER IT
March 2nd, 2026 at 7:26 am
Todd must use a one way mirror. . .
March 2nd, 2026 at 7:58 am
If Todd was fired all those dudes were gone anyway. I have to think basic fundamentals constantly being performed incorrectly lies more with the assistant coaches anyway
March 2nd, 2026 at 9:40 am
Too bad his mirror didn’t say fire yourself, aka retire.
March 2nd, 2026 at 10:10 am
gotbbucs Says:
March 2nd, 2026 at 5:59 am
Bowles must have one of those wacky carnival mirrors in his house.
LOL!!!!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣
GO BUCS!!!
March 2nd, 2026 at 11:17 am
When ME goes out the door, I hope he slams it and says, “3rd and 28!” on the way out.
If you were he, what would you rather have: $$, a shot at a SB and a good chance for the playoffs with an exciting team or total adoration from TB fans, a decline in front of those fans, less $$, and a miserable losing experience the last couple of years of his career.
This team is doomed for next year. The following year a total rebuild with new admin. Lots of L’s. If I were he I would sign with 49rs, Chiefs or Houston and enjoy my last 2 years of a great career. AND, YOU WOULD TOO!
March 2nd, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Colin in Canada Says:
March 2nd, 2026 at 7:25 am
Okay, Bowles didn’t get fired. Message for the commenters GET OVER IT
^^^^^^^^
We’re in a free country, we can say what we want. Hahahaha
March 2nd, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Beeej Says:
March 2nd, 2026 at 7:58 am
If Todd was fired all those dudes were gone anyway. I have to think basic fundamentals constantly being performed incorrectly lies more with the assistant coaches anyway
^^^^^^^^
Yes, the HC would have NOTHING to do with ANY of that…Are you the Todd Bowles burner account, or his agent?
March 2nd, 2026 at 1:57 pm
The arrogant sob didn’t even have self reflection to understand that for the greater good of the team he should of brought in a full time DC based on the putrid defensive stats this guy has overseen since for 3 yrs and change.
He’s the luckiest guy in the NFL to still be employed. Worst coach in the entire league. Lucky us!
March 2nd, 2026 at 2:33 pm
BucU: I consider the Bucs keeping Bowles for this year to be one of the worst decisions in franchise history. Probably means Mike Evans leaves, probably means the Bucs with have to overpay for overrated free agents that want one last payday and retire before their NFL career actually ends (like we saw defensive players quitting last year because the system was so bad).
March 2nd, 2026 at 4:14 pm
If he had any integrity and he means what he says. He would have negotiated a buyout and told the Glazers he reflected 9n his many many many defensive collapses, lapses, just spread cheeks.open defense and ad a man who means what he says when he says its all starts at the top. Then his morals just cannot allow him to continue.