“Kenny Gainwell Will Fight Me”
May 19th, 2026
Firecracker Bucs special teams coordinator Danny Smith.
The Bucs have a new special teams coordinator. He’s high-octane, high-energy, in-your-face Danny Smith — 72 years young.
Smith was hired after more than a decade with the Steelers. He may not be the best special teams coordinator in the NFL, but he’s more than capable of repairing the train wreck that was Bucs special teams last season.
Remember when the Bucs gave up covering kicks? Joe sure does.
Today at One Buc Palace Smith said held court with local media types and talked about one of the few Bucs he knows well: running back Kenny Gainwell.
A free agent after being named Steelers MVP last season, Gainwell was handed a $7 million annual salary by Tampa Bay this offseason and is eager to play special teams again Smith.
Smith said he and Gainwell might even throw down about playing time.
“Kenny Gainwell will fight me about being on special teams, ok,” Smith said, adding that Gainwell would bark in his Pittsburgh office if he lost a special teams assignment.
“He’s back there returning punts today if you watch any of today’s practice. The kid can do a lot of things. He’s good on a lot of things. He’s a tireless worker. He’s a great person and a great player, and he and I have become close over the years and I’ll do anything in the world for him.”
Smith is a fun guy, and Joe likes how Gainwell and former Steelers All-Pro special teams ace Miles Killebrew joined Smith in Tampa. Smith has a lot to fix in a hurry, and it’s got to be easier for him to have a couple of standout veterans around him setting the tone.
May 19th, 2026 at 7:50 pm
“This was worse than going to the dentist” – Smith on his press appearance
Lol
May 19th, 2026 at 7:58 pm
Why doesn’t anyone wanna come here ??? Time to walk the Pirate ship plank Coach D.E.I.
May 19th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
Smith might be just the elixir the coaching staff needs.
May 19th, 2026 at 8:12 pm
The Special Teams Kickoff coverage was truly Maddening to subject us Bucs fans to the last couple of years. I’m sure this Energy and Experience will make a big improvement and not let every drive after kickoff start at the 50. And then when we needed to get off the field our Putrid Pass Defense would rear its ugly head. Last year was just a Bad Dream on so many levels. Got a chance this year with all the New faces in the needed spots. Go BUCS!!
May 19th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
I loved the way he talked about covering kick-offs.
May 19th, 2026 at 8:24 pm
Just watched his presser. Love this guy! “I love to kick and cover!” Going to be a new year on special teams.
May 19th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
3&28
Mike tomlin 2027
May 19th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
It seems they made great moves if they get good baker could be a very competitive team
May 19th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
Finally. À passionate coach.
Our special teams coach the last few even had a dumb face.
I never liked his aura.
Ànd the Persian girl who was stength Ànd conditioning or wtv.
I’m happy she’s gone. She was always just trying to get near Bowles to be on TV.
Thank god she’s gone.
We have a few dumb lookimg coaches on our sidelines.
Time to get on McVays level.
May 19th, 2026 at 8:50 pm
Love this guy! Special teams decided a few games negative last year. Think they threw a good pitch at the problem
May 19th, 2026 at 9:26 pm
You NEVER see a special teams coach hired for a head coaching job in the NFL. That is very sad and very stupid.
May 19th, 2026 at 9:38 pm
He looks to be value added.
May 20th, 2026 at 12:41 am
I swear, that guy is Monty Kiffen 2.0 so far as personality.
May 20th, 2026 at 12:47 am
super bowl Bound BABY !!! Says:
“Why doesn’t anyone wanna come here ??”
You changed your username just to state fake news?
How old are you?