On Thursday, The Pewter Report had the opportunity to interview Bucks wide receivers coach Brad Izik. A recent episode of the Pewter Report podcast. In addition to diving into each wide receiver, we also had the opportunity to discuss with Izik what returning to Tampa means.
Izik’s father, John, worked for the Bucks from 1993 to 2004, where he was a professional personnel assistant (1993 to 1996), director of football administration (1996 to 2001) and assistant general manager (2001 to 2004). rice field. He helped Rich McKay negotiate player contracts and manage the salary cap while the Bucks rose to fame in the late 1990s under Tony Dungey and won the Super Bowl in 2002 under Jon Gruden. I helped.
But Brad Izik is no longer the kid hanging out in the Bucks’ locker room with his team. Instead, he decided to return to work with offensive coordinator Dave Canales as the ball’s offensive right-hand man.
Brad Izik and Dave Canales ‘Two Beans in a Pod’
Shortly after the Bucks hired Dave Canales, names began to surface for a player to join him in Tampa Bay. A new receivers coach was needed after the team ditched Kevin Gerber after last season, and Brad Izik proved he’s the right person for the job in Seattle against Canales. The idea took four years because Izik was the Seahawks’ assistant receiver coach.
“It’s funny, Dave and I have been like two beans in a pod for the last four years,” Izik said. “We are always in each other’s offices. increase. “Hey, I’m watching this offense or this game. Now sit down.” The dialogue for us has been the last four years when it comes to football. ”
Besides commenting on game films, the two also got to know each other through various conversations.under the guidance of Pete Carroll It’s been a consistently winning environment in Seattle, and they not only have a deep understanding of each other’s strengths, but their overall vision is set to make the Bucks’ offense very different this season. know how to put together.
Bucks WR Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, QB Baker Mayfield and OC Dave Canales – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“We’ve gotten to know each other. I know what he likes as a coach,” added Izik. “I know what he wants to do offensively. I helped him through this interview process to help him in any way I could.
“He’s done some interviews in the past where we sat down and pitched ideas to each other. All the conversations that came up when we moved here to Tampa were already one-on-one. , and we are now including the rest of the staff.”
Izhik is very grateful for this opportunity. Having spent his past four seasons building his resume with the Seahawks, he patiently waited his turn. He spent three seasons (2019-2020, 2022) as an assistant wide receiver coach and one season (2021) as an offensive quality control and assistant quarterback coach.
He’s spent his time struggling behind the scenes to make a name for himself in the NFL ranks, and he’s grateful that Canales gave him the opportunity to take the next step with him.
“for [Dave] To give me the chance to run my own room, he puts action behind what he’s been telling me over the years,” Izik said. “He was like, ‘Brad, I believe in you.’ He pushed me, and now he’s given me a great opportunity to coach some really good players.”
Brad Izik was ‘not convincing’ to join Dave Canales and Bucks
On the Pewter Report podcast, Brad Izik revealed how he heard his friend Dave Canales got a job with the Bucks. Admittedly this was not typical and Seattle took aggressive steps in case Izik came next, but it was him.
“It’s funny. I was in midday training when Dave got the job. He texted the staff,” Izik said. “They were like, ‘Hey guys, come upstairs. I got some news.’ is like “Hi, congratulations”. I thought, “Congratulations?” what are you talking about? ‘ lift was not so good [laughs]! “No, Dave got the job.”
“I swear, I’m not kidding. I think that’s why he thought I was going with him. ”
Sure, Izyk was disappointed that people didn’t congratulate him on his training, but certainly congratulations were said during training. He took the job of wide receiver coach in Tampa Bay. Thanks to his familiarity with Canales and the organization, the change of circumstances was unconvincing.
Bucks WR Trey Palmer and WR coach Brad Izik – Photo Credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“I didn’t need any persuasion at all. It’s just been great to be back, not just for Tampa. Just to work with him,” Izik said. “Just work with people you consider to be close friends, people you really trust and people who really know his football. He works with a lot of different OCs. I’ve been
“He lived through the ups and downs of his time in Seattle, and Pete has always been his right-hand man. I feel lucky.”
A lot has come full circle for Brad Izik. This includes being the person people look to for guidance today.
“When young people reach out to me, I remember standing in their shoes,” Izik said. “They’re like, ‘What’s the best thing you can do to get your name out there, to show who you are?’ [say]’Your current job is the best interview for you. just do a good job. ’ It paid off for Dave for me. Because he understood me, he understood what I stood for, and he believed in me. Thank you so much and I am so happy to be back in Tampa. It’s not the same building, I say. ”
His job this season is to interview for a more significant role in the future, so he’ll be taking his own advice now.
Izik looks back on growing up with the Bucks
Now Brad Izik is back where his love of football began. Born in 1991, he grew up with the team throughout his childhood as his father, John Izik, held various positions with the Bucks. By then, Brad was old enough to remember the days (and players) of the Bucks’ Hall of Fame defense and Super Bowl winning team. But he also remembered what the environment was like inside the building.
“I remember it being a family atmosphere,” said Izik. “It’s not always the case. It varies from team to team how things are structured. But I actually had a small talk a few weeks ago with a number of players through coach Tony Dungey and FCA. We were going on a fishing trip and we were talking about me and his son Eric Dungey walking down the hallway every day.
Former Bucks SS John Lynch – photo credit: Cliff Welch/PR
“That’s what I remember. I remember John Lynch coming up and playing with us when we were throwing tape balls in the locker room. It was like a small town. It was the atmosphere, they were playing very well, but there were a lot of Hall of Famers on this team, everyone knew each other’s names, they knew each other’s kids. We were all one big family, maybe because they worked doublewide.”
As Izik hinted, it’s not the same building. From the old original “Forest Hut” version of One Back Place, Bucks One Back Palace It is now the AdventHealth Training Center. Those years are long gone, and the Bucks are looking to maintain their winning streak after another successful period that led to a Super Bowl win. Izhik has seen firsthand what it is like and what it means.
“When I was in Seattle, I felt it again,” Izik said. “Coach Carroll does an amazing job of getting everyone involved and I know Dave represents that. It’s really nice to come, but I know it’s not always the case. [teams] It has a stronger structure.
“For me, the building and its logo, the Bucks logo, means a lot to me because that’s what sparked my love of the game. After playing [at Wake Forest]I knew I didn’t want to run away from it. ”
After a journey of growing up with the Bucks and growing as a coach, perhaps it’s fate that Brad Izik can’t leave Tampa Bay.
Watch Brad Izik’s Pewter Report Podcast
Click the link below to check out the latest episode of the Pewter Report podcast with special guest: Bucs WR Brad Idzik.
