Highly-touted defensive coordinator Mike Smith is out as defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Smith, who took over as defensive coordinator prior to the 2016 season, was fired Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
#Bucs players were informed the team is making a change at defensive coordinator, sources sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. Sounds like Mike Smith is out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 15, 2018
The #Bucs made Mike Smith the highest-paid defensive coordinator in football. The team was ranked 31st. He was fired today in a major shakeup. Dirk Koetter has handed over play-calling, now fired his defensive coordinator.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 15, 2018
Smith is known for having served as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 to 2014. Given the comments Dirk Koetter made after an embarrassing loss two weeks ago, he may count himself a bit lucky that he held on for as long as he did, as only three teams have allowed more points than the Buccaneers have.
