Eight Candidates To Replace Todd Bowles

The season is over for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They ended up losing seven of their last nine games and missing the postseason. It was a disappointing season and I’m not sure that we can call it anything other than a failure.

Despite the many injuries this team had, the expectation was the playoffs. Especially considering that they got healthy towards the end of the season and couldn’t beat the likes of the Miami Dolphins or the New Orleans Saints to essentially lock up a playoff berth. There were no excuses for the finish that the Bucs had.

This reflects very poorly on head coach Todd Bowles. He couldn’t fix the mental errors that his team was making and ultimately is responsible for everything. For a coach that was already lukewarm in terms of belief from the fan base, it’s hard to say that he shouldn’t be fired for this season.

And while this hasn’t formally happened yet, we are already looking forward to the future. Who could the next head coach be for the Bucs? Here are six candidates to replace Todd Bowles with the Buccaneers.

Kevin Stefanski

The Browns head coach could be on the way out in the next several days. He’d end his time in Cleveland with a 45-56 record over six seasons with a 1-2 playoff record. On paper, it wasn’t a spectacular tenure.

However, Stefanski is a two time coach of the year after leading Baker Mayfield to a playoff win in 2020 and Joe Flacco and a very injury riddled Browns team to the postseason in 2023. Despite the overall record, there was a lot to be impressed with during his time in Cleveland. Ultimately it was a bad roster and dysfunctional organization and that was too much to consistently overcome. 

In the big picture, Stefanski is a respected offensive mind with head coaching experience. Could he be more successful with Jason Licht steering the ship? I would definitely think so.

Shane Steichen

If the Buccaneers collapse down the stretch made you infuriated, then you might not like this option. Steichen oversaw an even more impressive collapse with the Colts and thus could be on his way out. His overall 25-26 record over three years might not be strong enough to withstand this kind of implosion. 

However, Steichen is another respected offensive mind with head coaching experience. He has had bad quarterbacks to work with, much like Stefanski, and that stifled the overall progress of his team. He’s another interesting option who should be near the top of the list if Indianapolis moves on.

Mike LaFleur

LaFleur is the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator. He could be the next in line from the Sean McVay coaching tree to be a successful NFL head coach. On top of that, he is the brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur so there is something to be said about bloodlines there. 

LaFleur is a little on the young side at just 38 years old and has more of a polite, mild mannered demeanor. Perhaps he is not ready in terms of leadership for this type of opportunity. However, you have to consider a guy who has learned under both McVay and Kyle Shannahan.

Joe Brady

Brady is also pretty young at just 36 years old. This could be another option that just isn’t ready yet. However, his history on the offensive side deserves a look.

When LSU won the national championship in 2019 led by Joe Burrow, it was Brady who was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Brady also helped Josh Allen win his first MVP award last season as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator. Is it possible that Brady just lucked into a pair of incredible quarterbacks? Sure. But there is no denying that excellence seems to follow Brady to whatever offense he touches. 

Todd Monken

Many Bucs fans will be familiar with this name. Monken was the offensive coordinator in Tampa under Dirk Koetter in 2018. He is now in the same position in Baltimore and has helped Lamar Jackson win an MVP award as well as multiple All-Pro appearances. 

Monken will turn 60 this winter and does have head coaching experience at the college level. By all accounts, he seems ready for a head job at the NFL level. With familiarity with some of the veterans, Tampa might be the perfect opportunity.

Adam Stenavich

It seems obvious that the Bucs will want to go with an offensive minded head coach. Stenavich offers that, although he is not calling plays as the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator. He can bring an offensive scheme, but not necessarily be the playcaller (much like Dan Campbell with the Detroit Lions).

Players have raved about Stenavich as a teacher, especially with the offensive line. He brings midwestern grit and toughness which is something this roster could use. This might be an ideal option in terms of culture and offensive philosophy. 

Klint Kubiak

This is the name on everybody’s mind. Kubiak has done a very good job as the offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks this year. He is also the son of Super Bowl winning head coach Gary Kubiak.

My big concern here is that Kubiak hasn’t done it long enough to really be ready for a head coaching job. He’s only 38 years old and this is his first successful season as offensive coordinator. It might be better to get in on the ground floor with this up and coming coach, but there is some risk here with inexperience. 

Klayton Adams

I believe that Adams is exactly what this Buccaneers offense needs. He’s widely regarded as a brilliant offensive designer when it comes to the running game. He led the Dallas Cowboys to the 6th ranked rushing offense in terms of yards per carry and he also helped the Arizona Cardinals become the 2nd ranked rushing offense in yards per carry in both 2024 and 2023. 

He is the perfect coach to revive this Buccaneers rushing offense after a down year for Bucky Irving. This would also help Baker Mayfield because the offense would ask less of him with a dynamic running game. He might not call plays, but he is an outstanding offensive architect. 

Adams seems to have the confidence and demeanor for this type of position. He only has one year of offensive coordinator experience, but this is another case where it might be wise to buy early. I believe that this is the Buccaneers best option.