The Bucks’ search for a special teams coordinator continues, with two more interviews reportedly scheduled. Mike Kay of the Charlotte Observer reported Monday night that the Bucs are scheduled to meet with Saints assistant special teams coordinator Phil Gagliano. On Tuesday, the Bucs announced they would interview with former Seahawks special teams coordinator Larry Izzo.
Bucks GM Jason Licht – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Gagliano has history with the Bucks.
If Gagliano’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he was previously with the Bucks. He served as an assistant special teams coach under then-head coach Greg Schiano during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Gagliano had played the previous 12 years at the collegiate level, including the 2010 and 2011 seasons with Schiano at Rutgers.
After his stint with the Bucs, Gagliano returned to Rutgers for two seasons before splitting time between the Dolphins and Penn State. Gagliano found more stability in 2019 when he became the Saints’ assistant special teams coordinator, a position he remains in today.
Izzo brings NFL playing experience.
Izzo was a special teams ace during his long 14-year NFL career. He spent his entire career in the AFC East, playing five seasons with the Dolphins, eight seasons with the Patriots, and one year with the Jets. Izzo won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and ultimately made three Pro Bowl appearances (one with Miami, two with New England) and earned All-Pro honors in 2004. A big reason Izzo was selected to the Pro Bowl was because of his work on special teams. .
Bucks HC Todd Bowles – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Izzo began his coaching career in 2011 and served as an assistant special coach with the Giants from 2011-2015. He was promoted to special teams coordinator and spent two seasons with the Texans in 2016 and 2017.
Since then, Izzo has been in Seattle coaching the Seahawks. He served as an assistant special teams coach from 2018 to 2020, before becoming interim coordinator in September 2020 after Brian Schneider left the team for personal reasons. The following year, Izzo was hired as special teams coordinator, a position he held for the next two seasons.
In 2021, Izzo helped the Seahawks rank third in special teams efficiency. They have been in the top 10 on special teams during his tenure as coordinator. With Pete Carroll fired and Mike McDonald taking over as Seattle’s coach, the team brought in a new staff and hired Jay Harbaugh, Jim Harbaugh’s son, as the new special teams coordinator. This allowed Izzo to step into the role with the Bucks.
This leaves the Bucks with five candidates. I had an interview Or have an interview scheduled. They need to find a special teams coordinator, along with a wide receivers coach and an offensive line coach.
