The Buccaneers have officially parted ways with head coach Lovie Smith, according to a release from the team Wednesday evening.
MORE | Bucs players react to the news of Lovie Smith's firing
Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer released the following statement Wednesday night:
“After careful consideration, we informed Lovie that we have decided to make a change. I want to thank Lovie for his hard work and dedication to the Buccaneers during his time here. This decision was difficult on a variety of levels. I am disappointed that we were not more successful these past few seasons, but we are committed to doing what is necessary to give our fans the winning team they deserve. As we move forward, General Manager Jason Licht will oversee the process for finding our next head coach.”
The Bucs finished the 2015 season with a record of 6-10, ending the year with four straight losses. Lovie was 8-24 in his two seasons with the team. Among other factors, the team had a rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston and more than a dozen more rookies on the roster for the 2015 season, including two offensive lineman.
Winston had a historic season by rookie quarterback standards, and may be a leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year award. Winston racked up 4,042 passing yards -- only two other rookie QBs have more in NFL history. Eclipsing the 4,000 yard mark set the team record for a rookie QB, and he's only the second Buccaneer quarterback ever to do so.
The new head coach will be the team's fourth since 2011. The three firings include Raheem Morris in 2011, Greg Schiano in 2013 and Lovie Smith late Wednesday evening. Smith's final win percentage with the team of .250 is the worst of a Bucs head coach since the early 1990s.
Smith's departure comes after a slew a NFL coach firings, as we've come to expect after Week 17's 'Black Monday'. Here are the open jobs as of Wednesday:
- Titans interim coach Mike Mularkey is a candidate, but not locked in for Tennessee
- Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell among interviews, but not a sure thing
- Eagles fired head coach Chip Kelly five days before their final regular season game
- 49ers fired head coach Jim Tomsula after one season
- Browns fired head coach Mike Pettine, 10-22, after a Week 17 loss
- Giants head coaching job open after Tom Coughlin resigns, but may return to coaching elsewhere
- Buccaneers fire head coach Lovie Smith after team's 'disappointment' in team success
Meet the candidates who will fill the 2016 NFL head coaching vacancies
Here are a few reactions from the Twittersphere about Smith's firing, including a Bucs player questioning the move:
The Bucs just fired Lovie Smith. Is it April? Someone is playing a prank, right?
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) January 7, 2016
Not a Lovie Smith fan, but why fire a coach after his first year with a promising rookie QB? But his defense did fall apart -- AGAIN. #Bucs
— Jamal Thalji (@jthalji) January 7, 2016
How do the Bucs fire Lovie Smith? That is the most ridiculous thing I've heard. A young team on the rise w/a rookie QB. Ludicrous
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) January 7, 2016
Have to wonder if Lovie Smith agreeing with Winston's comments that not all players tried hard factored into the decision to fire him
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) January 7, 2016
This is stupid, we can't even have a consistent coach, 3 coaches in 5 yrs
— Lavonte David (@LavonteDavid54) January 7, 2016
Outside looking in, y'all wouldn't understand how great of a coach/person he is
— Lavonte David (@LavonteDavid54) January 7, 2016
Lovie Smith got fired after a 6 win season with a rookie QB. What were the @TBBuccaneers expectations?
— Donnovan Bennett (@donnovanbennett) January 7, 2016
Now Lovie Smith fired! Owners rotate Head coaches after a down year like the next Coach gonna when the Super Bowl! #itsaprocess #itsagrind
— Mike Pops Adams (@MDOTADAMS20) January 7, 2016
I don't get why the Bucs fired Lovie Smith? Roster isn't great. They must have someone they want really bad to pay him out for 3 years.
— Jorge Sedano (@SedanoESPN) January 7, 2016
What do you think of the move? You can tweet us @abcactionnews or weigh in on our Facebook page:
The Buccaneers were 8-24 in his two seasons with the team.Do you think this is a good move?
Posted by ABC Action News - WFTS - Tampa Bay on Wednesday, January 6, 2016
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