While it may seem like a reason for caution, hiring all these college coaches for their first Pro Experience, its only because of the last Head Coach we are concerned. Truth is, Lovie Smith is repeating the way Tony Dungy’s staff came together; bringing in a nice mix of college coaches and pro assistants.
Lets take a look:
Lovie Smith was brought in as Linebackers coach; He just came off his first year as defensive backs coach for Ohio State. Before that Lovie was DB coach at Tennessee for two years and a year as linebackers coach for Kentucky. He did not coach at the NFL level before coming under Tony Dungy.
The Great Rod Marinelli? College Coach! Dungy brought him from USC where he was the Defensive Line coach in 95, coming from Arizona State 92-94 as same position coach plus assistant Head Coach duties. Before that he was at Cal from 83-91, the last two years as assistant Head Coach. Utah State was the first college job for Rod from 76-82.
Herm Edwards was the DBs coach with the Kansas City Chiefs from 92-95. Before that he was a scout with KC from 90-91. He was DB coach with San Jose State the two years before that; so Herm Edwards worked one pro job for a total of 6 years. From 1989 to 91 Tony Dungy was DBs coach at KC too working under Bill Cowher!
Of course the defensive coordinator was Monte Kiffin who was the same with New Orleans in 1995. From 92-94 Monte was the linebackers coach with the Vikings where Dungy was DC. This was his second stint with the Vikes; sandwiched in between was a linebacker coach gig with the Jets in 1991. Add Buffalo and Green Bay to the list of NFL cities Monte toured as LB coach. From 1966 to 82 Kiffin was a College guy at Nebraska, Arkansas, and NC State.
So while as Bucs fans were on edge because we hired a Head Coach with no head coaching experience in the NFL, Lovie Smith is pretty much doing it with the Dungy blueprint. The Building usually comes out good when you know you have a good architect!
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