ESPN REPORT: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach is being fired due to…
After two unsuccessful seasons as head coach, Lovie Smith was let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday.
Joel Glazer, co-chairman of the group, shared the following statement on its official website:
We decided to make a change, and we told Lovie so after giving it some thought. I would like to express my gratitude to Lovie for his efforts and commitment to the Buccaneers during his tenure. Making this choice was challenging in a number of ways. Although I am sad that we have not had greater success in the last few seasons, we are determined to do whatever it takes to provide our supporters with the winning team they are entitled to. Moving forward, the search for our next head coach will be managed by General Manager Jason Licht.
Tom Pelissero of USA Today claims that the coaching staff of Tampa Bay was unaware that Smith would be let go. One Bucs coach was quoted by him as saying, “We are all in shock.” Josina Anderson of ESPN said that she had just spoken with staff members who “thought everything was fine.”
The day was “one of the toughest of his career,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht told reporters on Thursday. He also said he had “respect for [Smith] as a coach and a person.”
The team’s three home victories in the last two seasons, according to Licht, indicate that supporters “have been patient enough.” Licht stated he will take over as manager of the 53-man roster now that Smith is out.
Licht also stated that ownership made the choice, and he gave it credit for being patient and “not making an emotional decision.”
Smith was dismissed over the phone at his home, according to a report published on Thursday by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk provided some details on the procedure that resulted in Smith’s dismissal:
Ownership had scheduled a face-to-face meeting with Smith for this Thursday, according to a person with knowledge of the circumstances. However, while Smith was being informed over the phone of the scheduled meeting, Smith felt that something was off. As one thing led to another, it became evident that this would be his final meeting under ownership.
Smith then declared that he didn’t require a meeting. So, over the phone, the termination was confirmed.
Licht provided information about how the choice was made, stating that he spoke with the proprietors over the phone, which prompted him to give Smith a call. Smith was fired after calling Joel Glazer at that point.
Soon after the announcement, Jeff Darlington of NFL Network shared his thoughts on the matter:
