The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have experienced both sides of the coin since joining the NFL in 1976. In turn, of course the there's a list of Bucs best coaches ever.
They began with a 26-game losing streak, then became a contender a few years later (while sporting iconic uniforms). They've had sustained runs of ineptitude and contention. They won a Super Bowl. They endured Jameis Winston, and now have Tom Brady.
Through all the ups-and-downs, 12 head oaches have had their turn steering the (pirate) ship, but few have experienced smooth sailing. Let's look back on the five most successful coaches in Buccaneers history.
5) Sam Wyche
Wyche coached Tampa Bay for four seasons (1992-1995) and never won more than seven games (slim-pickings here). However, he makes this list over some other forgettable coaches for his role in drafting Derrick Brooks, John Lynch and Warren Sapp, who would become longtime franchise stalwarts and the foundation of a Super Bowl-winning squad.
4) John McKay
McKay would never get as long of a leash today as he did in the 1970s. He was the Bucs' original coach, and the organization miraculously stuck with him despite not winning their first game until late into their second season. To his credit, he turned it around quickly, leading the the Creamsicle Bucs to two NFC Central Division titles (1979, 1981) and three playoff berths. He racked up a 44-88-1 record from from 1976-1984.
3) Bruce Arians
Arians has only spent one season in Tampa Bay (7-9 despite 30 Winston picks), but this ranking is more about his past and projected success. Hefty expectations will be put upon Arians heading into the 2020 season, but he's a good bet to rise to the challenge. He carries a sterling reputation—as a football coach and a guy to have a beer with—and was clearly an appealing factor to Brady.
Arians and his potent offense have found some degree of success everywhere he's gone, winning two Coach of the Years along the way (2012 Colts, 2014 Cardinals). With some shiny new toys to play with (and a good defense), he could certainly move up this list soon.
2) Jon Gruden
Gruden led Tampa Bay for seven seasons (2002-2008), but never repeated the highs of his first year, when he inherited Dungy's team and won Super Bowl XXVII over his former team, the Oakland Raiders (to whom Tampa had traded two first- and two second-round picks for Gruden's services). Gruden does deserve some credit for noticeably improving the offense after taking over for the defensive-oriented Dungy.
He made the playoffs two more times in Tampa (2005, 2007), and went 57-55 over his tenure.
1) Tony Dungy
Gruden delivered the franchise's only ring, but Dungy's teams were consistently better. Over six seasons (1996-2001), he compiled a 54-42 record, including the NFL Central Division crown in 1999 (they lost to the St. Louis Rams in the NFC title game). Tampa Bay qualified for the postseason four times under Dungy. He gets a bonus point for installing (with Monte Kiffin) and popularizing his signature Cover 2 defense, which became known as “Tampa 2”.
And that's that. Our list of the best Buccaneers coaches in the history of the franchise.
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