A Tampa Bay defense that surprisingly ranked in the top-10 in fewest yards allowed in the 2015 regular season may have just found the defensive guru that can help them take the next step.
On Friday, Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter, who was just promoted to the position from offensive coordinator on Thursday, announced the hiring of former Falcons head coach Mike Smith as the team’s new defensive coordinator, per Rand Getlin of NFL Network.
Dirk Koetter just announced former #Falcons head coach Mike Smith is the #Bucs new defensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/Z4GsZofedp
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) January 15, 2016
Koetter is well familiar with Smith, having served as his offensive coordinator in Atlanta from 2012 to 2014.
Smith, 56, was recently linked to the Giants head coaching job, but that vacancy has since been filled by Ben McAdoo.
The Buccaneers boast a strong D-line, which is one of Smith’s trademarks as a defensive strategist. But with question marks in the secondary and amongst the linebackers not named Lavonte David or Kwon Alexander, Smith still has his work cut out for him in Tampa Bay next season.
