Bucs To Interview Another OC Candidate

Bucs To Interview Former Giants OC Mike Kafka

Mike Kafka was the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants last year. He assumed the interim head coach role after the Giants let go of head coach Brian Daboll after a 2-8 start to the season. Under Kafka’s leadership New York went 2-5 while their offense ranked 12th in EPA/play (0.045) and 23rd in success rate (41.8%), belying an explosive attack that struggled to stay ahead of the sticks consistently. Before he took over play calling the Giants offense was 15th in EPA/play (0.041) and 21st in success rate (43.5%).

Kafka was the offensive coordinator for the Giants since Daboll became head coach in 2022. Prior to that he was the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for Kansas City from 2018-2021, while assuming the title of passing game coordinator for his final two seasons there.

Kafka got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2016 before moving to Kansas City as a quality control coach in 2017. Prior to that he bounced around the NFL from 2010 to 2015 including stops with the Eagles, Titans and Bucs.

Bucs Casting Wide Net

Kafka joins a handful of other offensive minds who have now interviewed for the Bucs’ open offensive coordinator role. Just a couple of days ago the team brought in former Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. In addition to those two, they have also spoken with former Titans head coach Brian Callahan, Cardinals quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork and Lions passing game coordinator David Shaw. Those interviews show they don’t have a preference on playcalling experience but are looking for the brightest mind.

Kafka, Callahan and Robinson all have experience calling plays at the NFL level, although Kafka’s experience is limited to the seven games, he was interim head coach. Prior to that Daboll called plays in New York. Tampa Bay has had success with coordinators with limited, or no, playcalling experience in Liam Coena and Dave Canales. But last year’s offensive coordinator, Josh Grizzard, couldn’t live up to the expectations elevated by Coen the year prior.

Assuredly, the Bucs will continue to bring in more candidates. Some of the most popular names on the market – including Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Rams passing game coordinator Nate Sheelhaase – have yet to be called in to Tampa Bay.