Dirk Koetter fired after loss to the Falcons

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers transitioned to the Atlanta Falcons South when they hired Dirk Koetter as head coach and Mike Smith as defensive coordinator. Those names were paired down after each game against the Falcons until the team no longer employed former Falcons.

After three seasons in Tampa Koetter is officially out after a disappointing 19-29 final record. Some were hopeful he could return but a second-half collapse against the Falcons, giving up 27 points in two quarters, definitely sealed his fate. He made it just a few hours after his final loss with the team.

The Glazers have a pretty impressive history with adding big name coaches who flame out, like recently hired/fired/failed Lovie Smith, Greg Schiano, and Raheem Morris. Tampa is reportedly keeping their general manager Jason Licht and quarterback Jameis Winston, most assuredly limiting them from hiring some or many top candidates.

Falcons fans wish Koetter the best. He spent three years as the offensive coordinator for the Falcons, most notably the 2012 season where Atlanta’s offense carried the team to the NFC Championship. The offense sputtered with Julio Jones on injured reserve in 2013 and offensive line and running back disasters in 2014 and 2014. Koetter wasn’t a a fit for Dan Quinn’s preferred offense and left for Tampa Bay before the 2015 season.

Koetter won’t be out of work for long but he won’t be returning to Atlanta.