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Bruce Arians retired as head coach to move into a front office
job, with defensive coordinator Todd Bowles getting promoted to
head coach. Arians' new title is senior football consultant.
According to the Buccaneers' website, Arians told the team's
players and coaches of his decision. The 69-year-old then
released a statement that read in part, "I love football. I love
the relationships, the strategy, the competition--everything. It
has been one hell of a ride, but I know this is the right time
for me to make this transition.
"So why now?
"The simple answer is that I have accomplished more than I ever
dreamed I could during this incredible coaching journey. Winning
Super Bowl LV at our home stadium, with my mom and family in
attendance, was really the last item I wanted to check off my
career bucket list. For me, this is about more than just trying
to add more wins to my coaching record."
Arians added, "I really began thinking about my personal
transition plan earlier this offseason. I wanted to ensure when
I walked away that Todd Bowles would have the best opportunity
to succeed. So many head coaches come into situations where they
are set up for failure, and I didn't want that for Todd.
(Quarterback Tom Brady's) decision to come back, along with
Jason (Licht, the general manager) and his staff doing another
great job of keeping the core of this team intact during free
agency, confirmed for me that it was the right time to pass the
torch to Todd."
Bowles, 58, had a largely unsuccessful four-year stint as the
New York Jets' head coach, never making the playoffs. He led the
team to a 10-6 mark in 2015, his first season, then never won
more than five games in the following three seasons. Bowles
spent the past three years as Arians' defensive coordinator.
Arians first took charge of an NFL team in 2012, when he guided
the Indianapolis Colts to a 9-3 record while filling in for head
coach Chuck Pagano, who was battling leukemia. The next year,
Arians took over as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, and he
led them to a 49-30-1 record and two playoff appearances in five
seasons.
In his three seasons as the Buccaneers' head coach, Arians
produced a 31-18 record. Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl after the
2020 season, then was eliminated by the eventual champion Los
Angeles Rams in the NFC divisional playoffs after last season.
Buccaneers owner Joel Glazer said in a statement, in part, "When
Bruce arrived in Tampa Bay three years ago, he spoke about
establishing a winning culture and adding another Super Bowl
championship for our community. He delivered on both of those
promises, and our family is deeply appreciative for all that he
has accomplished during his time as our head coach."
--Field Level Media
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