Leslie Frazier will be joining Jeff Tedford as a coordinator on Lovie Smith’s coaching staff in Tampa.
The Buccaneers on Thursday announced that Smith would be the team’s new head coach after the sides agreed on a five-year contract. At the time, former Cal coach Jeff Tedford was announced as Smith’s offensive coordinator. Smith was hoping to bring in Rod Marinelli as defensive coordinator, the Tampa Bay Times reported, but the Cowboys reportedly would not let him out of his contract. Hence, Frazier will be the team’s new DC.
Frazier, who was recently fired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he is headed to Tampa to serve as the Bucs’ new defensive coordinator.
Though Frazier struggled as head coach of the Vikings going 3-13, 10-6, and 5-10-1 in his three full seasons, he should do well in a coordinator role. So should Tedford, who completely turned around a terrible Cal program before being ousted after struggling in his last few years.
Smith took last season off after being fired by the Chicago Bears. He is held in extremely high regard by his former players, and he enjoyed a lot of success in Chicago, going 81-63 over nine seasons. He won his division three times and reached the Super Bowl once.
