Booger McFarland Applauds Zac Robinson Hire
January 23rd, 2026
New Bucs OC Zac Robinson.
Joe understands a good number of Bucs fans were disappointed to learn that Mike McDaniel was not going to be the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. Understandable.
But Joe thought Robinson was a decent option. The thing Joe likes about Robinson is that he made sure his best player got the rock a lot (Bijan Robinson). And when throwing, Robinson targeted the Dixie Chicks’ best receiver, Drake London, often.
To Joe, that is just smart football. Get the ball into the hands of your best weapons.
Joe was surprised to learn the Dixie Chicks in Atlanta had the No. 6 offense in total yards in 2024, Robinson’s first year. Joe would be pounding beers if Robinson can repeat that this year with Tampa Bay.
The move to hire Robinson was met with applause from former Bucs defensive tackle and current ESPN talking head Booger McFarland.
@ESPNBooger: Good hire Tampa has better weapons overall than Atlanta and offense was never an issue there even with inconsistent qb play. Zac loves to run the ball also
That’s a good point by Booger. If Mike Evans comes back, name Joe a better foursome at receiver in the league than Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Evans.
And if Mayfield is healthy, he’s a better quarterback than Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix.
The more Joe thinks of this Robinson hire, the less stressed Joe is.
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:09 am
Can we see some highlights of him on the sidelines? I just hope he demonstrates some emotion. Tired of our Chief Stoicism Officer Todd Bowles demonstrating how to coach a team with zero emotion or pulse.
Give us some energy, Zac! Fist pump! High five! Run down the sidelines. Chew some as$ sometimes!
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:09 am
Bingo
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:18 am
As I’ve said before, I am surprised at there are more positive than negative reactions to the hire. Last week many in the fan base seem to have wanted the Glazers to offer 10% ownership to go get McDaniel. As we all know, something’s that happens are a blessing in disguise
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:33 am
Realistically, Robinson is about the best hire the Bucs could expect as Monken is tied at the hip to Harbaugh and is loyal to the guy after Harbaugh got run from B’more by refusing to launch Monken. He would only not follow Harbaugh if he got a head coaching gig. The other Harbaugh simply offered McDaniel a much more stable situation out west where his wife is from.
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:40 am
Based upon the rumors, McDaniel would’ve been OC for a few days before going to Buffalo
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:40 am
At least we should have a top 10 offense. Let’s get Algier!
Let’s go!!!!!
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:43 am
Joe I’ll say it again. I think the Bucs duped us all. Don’t think they were in strong pursuit of McDaniel as it seems to have been. Too much familiarity with Robison and the current offensive staff. You have the OL, RB and like 2 more current offensive coaches who has worked with or on the same staff as Robinson including Mayfield.
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:51 am
Great
January 23rd, 2026 at 7:55 am
Guess we’ll see
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:09 am
Zac was at Rams when baker was there. Looking for a Coen repeat. Rams win super bowl this b year. Denver down to a back up and Drake has fumblitus.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:16 am
McDaniel was never coming to Tampa Bay..ever. And that fellow fans, was for a lot of reasons. Probably the biggest reason was Todd Bowles utter incompetence. “Hey Grizz, I know we have all of our receiving weapons on the field but, because I’ve been labeled a guru and a genius, here’s a good idea. Run the ball a ton. That way my crappy defense can stay off the field.” Tailor made recipe for losing to an inferior team. McDaniel wouldn’t tolerate that nonsense.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:17 am
I think the Bucs got this one right!!. My guess is we would have soon lost McDaniel to another headcoaching job and Baker , if he stays would be looking at yet another coordinator next year. Last night on the NFL network they were saying the problems in Atl were the qb , Penix who could not absorb a complex offense and it had to be dummied down. I think Ronde said the same on his show. I think Robinson was the best available candidate out there and the Bucs saw that!!!
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:19 am
Funny that McDaniel didn’t even talk to the Eagles, their last OC had his house egged lol. NObody wants to coach there
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:20 am
Any competent OC can do well here, even under Bowles… just as long as the injury bug stays away. They are going to have to be in the top 1/4 of NFL offenses because defense is atrocious. At least special teams should be vastly improved.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:23 am
This hiring makes sense as this will be Baker’s last chance to prove we can win with him at QB.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:25 am
Falcons south baby! Whoo-hoo! Losers bringing in more losers. What could go wrong says Keith Morrison. SMDH
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:35 am
The Bucs did better hiring an OC than I thought they would do…
Robinson has solid NFL experience as an OC and a legit QBs coach. We need both.
He also has valuable intel on the Falcons who is a division rival.
He has also worked with our QB in the past.
I am also hopeful he will assist the Bucs in bringing in a legit back-up QB so we can launch Bridgewater back to high school where he belongs…
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:35 am
I’m optimistic on the offensive side of things… but… Booger also supported Bowles getting “more time” ….FAIL
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:38 am
Think the offense will be OK. Bucs now have an experienced play caller, maybe not the best OC, but about what the Bucs could get considering Bowles is a lame duck HC. Consider Robinson a mid level hire.
The real issue is going to be the defense and the lack of talent. Bucs have to invest in solid FA starters. Bucs have to get a DC. It’s not going to happen this season through the draft or with Bowles as DC. Wake up Licht you mental midget!
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:48 am
I really don’t have a problem with Bowles if they win. Huge problem with the defense, both personnel and coaches.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:53 am
Problem with this organization is that they let 2 former OC’s go to other teams as HC’s to keep Bowels, who is a good DC but a bad HC. Now they are on their 4th OC in 4 years, not good, can Robinson bring Bijan with him? Bucs running game was terrible in 2025.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:57 am
Joe honestly thinks Bowles is a better head coach than defensive coordinator.
January 23rd, 2026 at 8:58 am
Imagine how this morning’s news would play if we’d hired McDaniel….
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:01 am
Lets hope they get some good linebackers in free agency, not 2 rookies or LVD is able to groom two of em. #54 is the man so he’d be a great ojt coach
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:02 am
I’m also good with it. He was a hot hire 2 years ago for good reasons. And now he’s called plays for 2 years in the NFL with some success with worse quarterbacks. He’s the most experienced OC hire since Koetter and he was pretty good.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:08 am
Wish they would hire a real DC now but I don’t think they will because what is the point in keeping Todd. I don’t think you can really say he is a better HC than DC because we all saw him lose the team how good of an HC can he be.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:38 am
It’s a wait and see on the offense, but what are going to do about the swiss cheese Bowles defense.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:41 am
Patriots went from losing team to AFC Championship game by signing quality Free Agents at DLine, LB, CB and OLine-
Bucs should follow suit instead of blowing money extending contracts on oft injured players who have talent but can’t show up.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:49 am
Another one of those ppl that defends Todd Bowles for the reason we all know and tries to come up with good things for our garbage HC.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:53 am
Go get Tyler Allgeier. Perfect compliment to Bucky. Tyler could be a starter. The guy is a hammer and shouldn’t cost much. Let Tuck and White walk. Sign Tyler. Hurts Atl, he can play and has been in the system for two years with Robinson.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:54 am
ROFL….here we got wit da hype aready. This ain’t workin this year.
January 23rd, 2026 at 9:57 am
Trash Hire!!!
Zac will still have to deal with “inconsistent qb play”
GO BUCS!!!!
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:04 am
Joe
If Bowles was a good HC, he would have fired the DC..
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:10 am
A better foursome of receivers would be in Detroit : St. Brown, Williams, Raymond, TeSlaa
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Looks like the Bucs may have missed a debacle with the McDaniel situation. Not sure, maybe all speculation but, he was supposed to be the OC in LA now, he’s still being considered as a HC. So the Bucs would have been pushed to wait until McDaniel finished his HC interviews and hope he didn’t get a HC job
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:31 am
chief stoicism officer lmfao cigar store indian only moves when pointing fingers at other people that is not a leader
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:36 am
Didn’t say he was a good head coach.
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:36 am
I’m curious about what the Bucs FO is thinking bout Kancey’s future with the team concerning injuries, and his 5th-Year Option, etc. Also, John Lynch (and other GM’s and owners) has been out front of several issues already, early in this offseason. The Niners are doing a deep dive into all of their ‘injury issues’ over the past 2 or 3 seasons, even going as far as investigating any potential links to an AI data/power center located near Levi Stadium. So, what are the Bucs doing to address THEIR OWN ISSUES in this particular area… Just More of the SAME!? Just continue doing what their doing with all these women, & etc. Where’s LICKT!? Where are the owners!? Do they even give a Big-F!? Crickets!? I mean, THIS is the only Bucs site I go to other than WDAE on 95.3, but I haven’t been in my car much lately! So, I really don’t know!?
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:37 am
A decent option? Is that the new standard for the Bucs? I sure hope not. I would have preferred Joe Brady from the Bills. Experienced OC with top 10 offenses.
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:40 am
Robinson was able to unravel the mystery that is the Bowles defense.
That should automatically put him in the HOF.
Bowles is an absolute defensive guru in the prime of his career.
It’s the players fault the defense is bad. No wait it’s the assistants that caused the leaky pass defense.
Everyone else is at fault. Except for Bowles. He’s a guru.
And his coaching record speaks for itself. Just spectacular!!!
Please sign him to another extension before the Chiefs fire Reid and pluck Bowles away!
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
January 23rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Allgeier would be the starter here. Good player if you can get him. Tucker too.
When does the search start for defensive coaches? Strangely quiet. We can only hope the plan is to bring in a DC..
January 23rd, 2026 at 11:08 am
Surprise: at first I was trippin , then I read the things he’ll bring to the team, I think we should remember Coen and think those two together were with Baker for those few games Baker played. If Robinson can at least do what Coen did. I’m down with that, I’m with 12 or 13 wins and a Bye. One more thing, the stats show a good thing. The team beat themselves with mistakes and changing the QB blah blah blah we did the same thing. Only better because somebody drove the bus off Mount Everest..
January 23rd, 2026 at 11:32 am
There is NOT a better foursome of WR’s in the league, as long as Mike is fully healthy, and IF Chris returns to his ‘pre-injury’ 2024 level of play, and IF EE returns to his pre ‘rookie wall’ level, & IF JMac can stay healthy and continue doing what he’s doing. And, I would even go as far as saying a “Fivesome” that also includes Ole Tez, as long as he continues to build confidence and improves!!!! Now that’s LOTS of “IF” in there, but I guess it’s possible. It’s THE BEST hire that the BUCS could’ve hoped for and it stopped the bleeding, for now. 💯
January 23rd, 2026 at 11:46 am
@ BTSTB – it will most surely take more than 12-13 ‘wins’ to earn the Bye! Also, take a look at next season’s ROAD schedule ALONE, and tell me if you see can find at least 4-5 ‘wins’ there, considering that we finished 8-1, or 7-2 at HOME (which is also a HUGE stretch)!? And, “at least as good” as COEN!? Now, that’s a REAL TOUGH ask. That Coen led Bucs Offense was an A to A+ OFFENSE, that was ranked in the TOP-5 in EVERY major ‘offensive’ category. And, you saw just what he meant on the ‘sidelines’ and inside of that Bucs locker-room, and that was in-spite of Todd Bowles. You also saw what happened when HE LEFT, in both Tampa AND Jacksonville.
January 23rd, 2026 at 11:57 am
You guys are wasting your time posting on this thread. I keep checking in hoping I’ll see a headline that says “Bucs hire new defensive coach.” That’s like waiting for the train at a bus stop.
January 23rd, 2026 at 12:03 pm
As of right now this very minute, that next season’s schedule is looking absolutely, BRUUUUTALLLLL. I mean, the two ‘easiest’ games I can see outside of our division (and even it will be much improved), are Cleveland and Pittsburgh. It’s a shame that they couldn’t make that Cleveland Game AT CLEVELAND, and then promoted it as “Baker’s Return.” That would’ve been pretty cool, and drawn at least a few more eyeballs.
January 23rd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
BucsfaninOregon Says:
January 23rd, 2026 at 11:57 am
You guys are wasting your time posting on this thread. I keep checking in hoping I’ll see a headline that says “Bucs hire new defensive coach.” That’s like waiting for the train at a bus stop.
*****************************************************
BINGO!!!!!
NO DC…NO BUENO!!!!
GO BUCS!!!
January 23rd, 2026 at 12:54 pm
Give Robinson autonomy of the offence, hire a competent DC and keep the time management consultant on the payroll and some of us may be okay with Bowles staying on.
January 23rd, 2026 at 1:10 pm
I would like baker to work with Brady in the offseason ask Jason to learn from him to to read defenses presnap …while working woth Brady ask him to reach out to Drew Brees and teach him how to be a short qb in the NFL and how to still play amazing.
January 23rd, 2026 at 1:11 pm
If Mike Evans comes back, name Joe a better foursome at receiver in the league than Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Evans.
And if Mayfield is healthy, he’s a better quarterback than Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix.
Totally agree with the above statements Joe !! I also think Tez Johnson is going to make a bigger impact next season as well!!
The Buccaneers have one heck of an offensive crew. We just have to keep the OLine healthy.
Go Bucs !!
January 23rd, 2026 at 1:24 pm
If Evans comes back, Robinson needs to open his eyes to reality and let Evans and Godwin work in the slot and let McMillan and Egbuka work the outside of the field.
I love Evans, but he is about 75% of what he once was, but he is still an handful in the slot. Same with Godwin. Father time is winning, but they are still valuable if used correctly.
January 23rd, 2026 at 1:56 pm
Totally agree Joe get the rock to your best players is smart football. 2 areas I think we all would love to see baker grow in is to be more consistent and 2 to be better at going thru is progressions and not keying in on one player. So many weapons of the 1st isnt there go to the next and so on and the biggest thing is check downs there were countless times I saw a check sow wide open. Bakers a gunslinger hone that in and go thru progressions and use the check down while extending plays and this guy for sure can be then MVP
January 23rd, 2026 at 2:21 pm
I was also surprised that he had the 6th-rated offense his first year. The way everyone acted I thought he was an awful option until I looked further into it. Monken was my first choice, but Robinson, given the options after that might be one of the better choices.
The other folks people seemed to like had never called plays, and that concerned me. We need experience at these coaching positions, given the state of the franchise so an inexperienced play caller I thought, was not the move. I would also like to point out Robinson is only 2 years removed from being that hot named candidate everyone wanted, so I do find it funny that folks have such short memories.
January 23rd, 2026 at 2:43 pm
@Todd,
There certainly are legitimate issues where Bowles can be criticized, but your criticism is not one of them.
There are multiple hall-of-fame coaches who never displayed emotion on the sidelines.
And Bowles is the same coach who held Mahomes and the Chiefs to zero TDs in their Superbowl. Remember that?
Find something else to criticize instead.
January 23rd, 2026 at 2:53 pm
Expecting to hire a former head coach as a coordinator was a pipe dream. It’s a step down and only acceptable if it means going to a glamor spot like LA, where there is a big salary and celebrity, as well as opportunities for outside income. I have read here and do not doubt that the Bucs’ head coach is one of the most poorly remunerated in the League, and a coordinator would have to get even less, not to mention the lack of extracurricular perks. Our best bets are men on the way up to being head coaches, with a desire to put their stamp on an offense that already has proven players. Bowles and the Bucs allow for that. Robinson fits the bill.
January 23rd, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Robinsons coaching with our talent would be hard pressed to do worse than we did last year.
Total Offense: 21st (320.4 Yds/Game)
Scoring: 18th (21.4 Pts/Game)
Passing: 20th (205.9 Yds/Game)
Rushing: 22nd (110.6 Yds/Game)
Red Zone issues, 3rd down problems, penalties galore.
Injuries were a problem but it’s no excuse on defense so it’s no excuse on O right!?
I think Robinson is going to be more like Coen than Grizz based on Atlanta games I’m rewatching. Should make some of you Coen strokers happy.
I’m most interested in what he’s going to do with the run game and the backs.
I definitely expect better offensive results from next year’s squad but that’s a LOW bar. I can see potential to get back a top 5 offense again with him though. Mcdaniels was most peoples 1st choice including mine but, but Robinson may turn out better. He’s the best option #2
January 23rd, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Quit making Coen an all-world coach. His call for a lateral in the playoff backed up in our own territory was as dumb as it gets. That was the deciding play in the game. Let’s see what he does next year with a #1 schedule instead of #4.