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Buccaneers' Mike Evans Reveals Locker-Room View Of New Coach 'Grizz'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 11:55 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a new-ish offensive coordinator in Josh Grizzard, with Liam Coen now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Some have used the latest coordinator change as a reason to discount what Baker Mayfield and the offense can do in 2025, but this change isn't entirely new.

Grizzard was the passing game coordinator last season under Coen, so he already knows the system and the players at his disposal.

And for veteran Mike Evans, having "Grizz" as the leading man now is good to see.

“Coach Grizz, last year we talked a lot, but he didn't talk as much in groups,” Evans said about how the staff dealt with players on the practice field, in the meeting rooms and in the locker room. “He does a really great job of talking in front of everybody, and we didn't get to see that last year, but he's a really great coach, and I look forward to having a great season for him.”

With the offense one of the best in football under Coen last season, Grizzard will have a tough task at least maintaining that level of play.

Granted, with new receivers Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson, coupled with the return of Chris Godwin and the improvement from Bucky Irving and Jalen McMillan, there is ample talent to shred a defense with.

But before that can happen, the unit has to understand what Grizzard is trying to do and the new wrinkles he'll have installed in the offense. That is what OTAs and minicamp are for, and going by all accounts, the group has hit the ground running with Grizzard.

And if Evans gives you a glowing endorsement, you know you're doing something right.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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