Bucs announced several changes to the coaching staff on Friday. The biggest revelation was Mike Caldwell’s rehiring. He will once again be coaching the team’s internal linebacker. Caldwell joined the coaching staff alongside Todd Bowles in 2019 when Bowles was Bruce Arian’s defensive coordinator.
Larry Foot Since Caldwell’s departure in 2021, he has served as the team’s internal linebacker coach and co-defense coordinator. Prior to that, he coached Tampa Bay’s external linebacker from 2019 to 2021, developing Shack Barrett as a two-time Pro Bowler.
Backspass Game Coordinator George Edwards and Head Coach Todd Bowles – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
In 2019, Barrett’s first season with the Bucs, he set a franchise single-season sack record with 19.5 sacks, leading the league that year. Jason Pierre Paul spent his Pro Bowl season under Foot’s coaching with 9.5 sacks leading the team in 2020.
This is a welcome move last year as the entire outside linebacker room was overwhelmed with 12 bags combined under George Edwards, who coached positions for the past two seasons. Edwards is no longer a position coach for Tampa Bay, but has now moved to the role of passing game coordinator on defense.
Edwards was under attack from past seasons of Pewter Reports. Yaya Diaby, Chris Braswell, Jose Ramirez and Marquise Watts.
Foote, who previously took on that role in addition to coaching the LineBackers, is now the defence execution game coordinator. Departing defensive line coach Casey Rodgers held that title last year.
Mike Caldwell is full of his hands in return with the Bucks
Mike Caldwell is a veteran internal linebacker coach and his experience will be put to good use when he returns to Tampa Bay in 2025. The Bucs may have returned this season with 35-year-old Lavonte David, depending on whether he wants to retire or continue playing. The Bucs are expected to move on from free agent KJ Britt, who was the other starter for most years.
Bucs Ilbs coach Mike Caldwell – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Sirvocea Dennis is back and can start work, but due to injuries he has only played a handful of games in Tampa Bay for two years. Deion Jones and Antonio Grier Jr. are other linebackers on the roster, and teams will need to significantly upgrade their positions this offseason in the free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft, or both.
Caldwell recently worked as a run game coordinator/linebacker coach in 2024 as a coach for the Las Vegas Raiders, with two years of stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars as defensive coordinator (2022-23). In 2022, the Jaguars’ defense was protected first in the pass (95) and tied fourth in takeout (27) under Caldwell’s guidance.
Before Jacksonville, Caldwell spent his previous three seasons as an inside linebacker coach with the Buccaneers (2019-21), coaching David with the second-team All-Pro recognition, and Devin White with the Pro Bowl and the No. He coached both teams All-Pro honors. During that period. During three seasons in this role, Caldwell directed a group of linebackers who played a key role in the NFL’s top rush defense in that span, allowing only 82.5 rush yards per game and 3.72 yards per carry. That was it.
In 2020, Caldwell coached David and White to the Super Bowl LV title, finishing the season with an 11-5 record and making the league for the second consecutive season with rush defense (80.6 rush yards allowed per game). I took the lead. David averaged 112.3 tackles per season, and Caldwell as position coach, losing 27 tackles, 16 passes, 8 passes, 8 forced fumbles, 4.5 bags, 4 fumble recovery and 2 intercepts. Contributed in time frame.
Before his first stint with the Buccaneers, he played defensive roles with the New York Jets (2015-18), the Arizona Cardinals (2013-14), and the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-2012). Caldwell began his coaching career as a training camp intern with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007, before playing multiple roles on the staff in 2008-12. Before coaching, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, played 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns (1993-95), Baltimore Ravens (1996), Arizona Cardinals (1997), Philadelphia Eagles (1998-2001) and Chicago Bears linebacker. I did. and Carolina Panthers (2003).
Bucs announces other coaching moves
Bucs DL Coach Charlie Strong – Photo: USA Today
The Bucs officially announced the employment of new defensive line coach Charlie Strong on Friday. He replaces Casey Rogers, who won a similar position in Detroit, as his contract rose at the end of the year. The Pewter Report had previously reported the news.
Tampa Bay has also announced the hiring of a new pass game coordinator on the attack. Kefence Heinson replaces Josh Grizzard with that role in the attack. Pewter Report had previously reported the news. Grizzard was promoted from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator this offseason, with Liam Coen working as head coaching job at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The team also promoted Kevin Carberry, running Game Coordinator/Official Line Coach and Brian Piccucci as the official full-time offensive line coach. Picucci was the team’s assistant offensive line coach last year. Jeff Castl was promoted to coach assistant tight ends, while Jordan Somerville was promoted to coach passing game specialist/assistant quarterbacks.
