As Todd Bowles prepares for his fifth season as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2026, major changes are underway. The team has started revamping its coaching staff, parting ways with five assistants, including Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard and Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey.
Joining them in their departure are Thaddeus Lewis (quarterbacks), Kevin Ross (cornerbacks), and Charlie Strong (defensive line). Additionally, Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore and Safeties Coach Nick Rapone have chosen to retire.
Bowles expressed the difficulty of these decisions, noting, “The disappointing end to the season required some changes to our coaching staff.” He emphasized that their goal is to compete for championships each year, which necessitates tough calls to meet high expectations.
Tom Moore’s retirement marks the end of an illustrious coaching journey exceeding six decades, including 48 years in the NFL. Bowles remarked on Moore’s unmatched knowledge and the unique insights he brought to the team. “I will miss our daily interactions the most,” he shared.
The Buccaneers finished the 2025 season with an 8-9 record, narrowly missing the NFC South title to the Carolina Panthers due to tiebreakers. This outcome ended Tampa Bay’s impressive streak of five consecutive playoff appearances and four straight division titles, notably under Bowles.
Injuries played a significant role, but the team’s offense saw a decline in performance, dropping from a top-five ranking in 2024 to 18th in scoring and 21st in total yards in 2025. Their special teams also struggled, ranking poorly in kickoff return yards allowed, with several blocked kicks contributing to their troubles.
Defensively, Tampa Bay ranked 21st in points allowed and 19th in yards allowed. While their run defense remained solid, the pass defense fell to 27th with the fewest sacks Bowles had seen in his tenure.
As the Buccaneers look toward the future, these coaching changes signify a commitment to bounce back and reclaim their former glory. The upcoming season will be crucial for Bowles and his newly assembled staff.
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