The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are moving forward with head coach Todd Bowles, but they are doing so with a significantly reshaped coaching staff.
As NBC Sports noted, one day after confirming Bowles will return for the 2026 season, the Bucs announced a sweeping series of firings Thursday.
They are parting ways with multiple coordinators and position coaches across all three phases.
The big news started with offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard.
But quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis, special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, defensive backs coach Kevin Ross, and defensive line coach Charlie Strong were all fired as well.
“Quite a staff purge by the Bucs and HC Todd Bowles,” Rick Stroud wrote
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport described the moves as “as significant turnover as can be.”
He added that it represents “a fresh start for Bucs coach Todd Bowles, including moving on from coaches he knows extremely well.”
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Tampa Bay is also moving on from Lewis and will allow the next offensive coordinator to select his own quarterbacks coach.
This signals a full reset around quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Assistants Pay the Price as Bowles is Retained
The firings underscore the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ decision to place accountability on the coaching staff around Bowles rather than on the head coach himself.
Lewis was the first to be gone this morning.
He had worked closely with quarterback Baker Mayfield during all three of Mayfield’s seasons in Tampa Bay.
Lewis steadily rose through the organization from intern to quarterbacks coach under Bruce Arians and Bowles.
While Josh Grizzard’s firing drew the initial attention, the bigger takeaway is the reset happening around Baker Mayfield.
With Mayfield entering the final year of his contract in 2026, Bowles is reshaping the offensive structure.
This starts with the QB room.
OC Josh Grizzard QBs Thad Lewis STC Thomas McGaughey DLs Charlie Strong CBs Kevin Ross S Nick Rapone
more coming
Additionally, special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey’s departure was widely anticipated after a disastrous season in that phase.
“As fully expected as any moves Todd Bowles will make this week,” Greg Auman wrote.
“Bucs’ special teams were an issue all year.”
The Buccaneers allowed three blocked field goals and two blocked punts in 2025.
They also ranked 30th in the NFL by allowing 28.2 yards per kickoff return.
Those issues consistently swung field position and momentum, contributing to Tampa Bay missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Bowles Makes Defensive Decisions
Defensively, Bowles also made difficult personal decisions.
Kevin Ross, whom Bowles has known since their playing days at Temple more than 40 years ago, was dismissed.
Additionally, defensive line coach Charlie Strong was fired this morning.
These were the first defensive staff firings of Bowles’ Buccaneers tenure.
With Bowles retained, the Bucs’ offseason focus now shifts to rebuilding their positional groups.
Finding the right offensive coordinator will be critical to try and stabilize an offense that regressed as the 2025 season progressed.
Several names to watch for the role include Rams passing game specialist Nathan Scheelhaase, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
The message from the organization was clear: Todd Bowles is getting another chance but nearly everyone around him is not.
Buccaneers Make Sweeping Coaching Changes After Choosing Todd Bowles