Former Texas Head Coach Lands New Gig in NFL

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Former Texas Head Coach Lands New Gig in NFL

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Howell | Last updated Feb 5, 2025 3:59 PM ET

Former Texas Longhorns coach Charlie Strong is adding a new chapter to his lengthy coaching career on the college and NFL level.

As revealed by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Strong has been hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joining the organization as a defensive line coach. This new job with the Buccaneer is his first role in the NFL since 2021.

Strong served as the Longhorns head coach from 2014 to 2016, going 16-21 over his three seasons at the helm before he was replaced by Tom Herman. He then spent three seasons at South Florida, leading the Bulls to a 21-16 record over the next three years before being fired again.

Strong joins a Tampa Bay coaching staff headed by Todd Bowles, the head coach and defensive coordinator. Strong will work under Bowles, trying to maintain a defensive line that finished in the top ten in the NFL in sacks in each of the last five seasons.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the younger defensive line groups in the entire league, featuring Vita Vea , Yaya Diaby and Calijah Kancey. Bowles is known for being an aggressive play-caller defensively, but it will be up to Strong to get the best out of the Buccaneers' defensive line.

The Buccaneers finished last season with a 23-20 loss to the Washington Commanders in the wild-card round of the playoffs after winning the NFC South. Strong joins the team, hoping to improve the defense so that they can return to the postseason and make a deeper run in the years to come.

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

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