Buccaneers fire Lovie Smith

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Surprise, surprise. Or is it?

Bucs fire Lovie Smith (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/06/bucs-fire-lovie-smith/)



The Buccaneers announced the firing of head coach Lovie Smith Wednesday night.

Smith had been the Buccaneers’ head coach for two years. This news comes as a surprise after the Bucs went 6-10 in 2015 while starting rookie quarterback Jameis Winston (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/9376/jameis-winston), the No. 1 pick in last spring’s draft. The Bucs went 2-14 in 2014.

“After careful consideration, we informed Lovie that we have decided to make a change,” Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement. “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.”

Smith, 57, was the head coach of the Bears from 2004-12.

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Lavonte David on firing of Lovie Smith: “This is stupid.” (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/06/lavonte-david-on-firing-of-love-smith-this-is-stupid/)



The firing of head coach Lovie Smith (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/06/bucs-fire-lovie-smith/) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday night was a shocking development.And it doesn’t seem to be sitting too well with some of the Buccaneers players.

Linebacker Lavonte David (http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/7539/lavonte-david) tweeted about the decision to fire Smith shortly after learning about the move. David summed up his feelings with a simple, but telling “WTF YO!!! (https://twitter.com/LavonteDavid54/status/684941262416384000)”


This is stupid, we can't even have a consistent coach, 3 coaches in 5 yrs

— Lavonte David (@LavonteDavid54) January 7, 2016 (https://twitter.com/LavonteDavid54/status/684942095820406784)



Outside looking in, y'all wouldn't understand how great of a coach/person he is

— Lavonte David (@LavonteDavid54) January 7, 2016 (https://twitter.com/LavonteDavid54/status/684944200652222464)



I guess yall got what you been asking for smh #bs (https://twitter.com/hashtag/bs?src=hash)

— Lavonte David (@LavonteDavid54) January 7, 2016 (https://twitter.com/LavonteDavid54/status/684944594916749312)


Smith is the third head coach fired by the Buccaneers since the end of the 2011 season. Raheem Morris was let go after three seasons in Tampa Bay. Greg Schiano lasted just two seasons as the Buccaneers coach and Smith just two more.

Whomever replaces Smith will be the third different head coach David has had as he gets prepared to enter his fifth season in Tampa Bay.

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What’s next for the Buccaneers? (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/01/06/whats-next-for-the-buccaneers/)


Florio pretty much goes through every conceivable candidate. Certainly anybody tacitly connected to the Bucs.

The Bucs did this, seemingly suddenly, so one would think they have someone targeted. Wonder if it is Coughlin?

[Night Train]

They fired Dungy to get Gruden when they were good.

Why people think Lovie was safe is laughable.

[Albany,n.y.]

Stephen A. Smith is going to go bananas today on his show. Here's a preview of what to expect:

Stephen A Smith ‏@stephenasmith 14h14 hours ago
Lovie Smith gets fired. But Jason Garrett and Jeff Fisher get to keep their jobs. You know what??? Man, I'm just gonna go to bed right now.

[Mace]

I think Lovie is on the scale of Caldwell at HC, they don't have any business being HC's.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Reportedly there was one of his assistants they wanted to promote to replace Lovie, and they were concerned about losing him this offseason. Sucks for Lovie, but 8 wins in two years and bottom 3rd defensive finishes from a defensive coach will do that.

[Mace]

Reportedly there was one of his assistants they wanted to promote to replace Lovie, and they were concerned about losing him this offseason. Sucks for Lovie, but 8 wins in two years and bottom 3rd defensive finishes from a defensive coach will do that.

Dirk Koetter.

It's not football related, and apologies to any Dirkses out there, but I've never personally known a Dirk who wasn't a jirk.