USAT: Buccs Wire audio clip

USAT: Buccs Wire

Mar 31, 2022

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers usually welcome a new head coach, it’s for all the wrong reasons. - This time, though, it’s the perfect send-off for the most successful head coach in franchise history. - Bruce Arians announced Wednesday night that he would be stepping down as Tampa Bay’s head coach, effective immediately, taking on a new role within the Bucs’ front office. - The Bruce Arians era in Tampa Bay lasted just three years, but it will go down as one of the best the Bucs have ever seen. - After going 7-9 in his first season at the helm, Arians helped lead the Bucs to the most successful two-year run in team history, with a 29-10 record (playoffs included) and a victory in Super Bowl LV. - While some will point out that Tom Brady had the biggest impact on Tampa Bay’s success over the past two seasons, it’s important to note that Arians’ presence as head coach was one of the most important factors that drove the GOAT to sign with the Bucs in the first place, following his departure from the New England Patriots after 20 legendary seasons. - Brady reiterated this fact in his own statement Wednesday night, giving congratulations and gratitude to the head coach that helped him win his seventh Lombardi Trophy: - - - - - - - - - - - - - View this post on Instagram - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady) - - - - - Despite the thoroughly debunked conspiracy theories about discord between Brady and Arians, they teamed up help lead the most productive offense in franchise history (along with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich), and clearly have a ton of mutual respect for one another. Arians was instrumental in getting Brady to Tampa Bay, a move that transformed the franchise into a perennial championship contender. - Arians leaves with the highest winning percentage of any head coach in Bucs history, which is proof enough of the culture and legacy he’s built over just a three-year stretch. But it impact has also been felt in other, more important ways, that reflect his character beyond the gridiron. - While the NFL continues to wrestle with its terrible history when it comes to giving head-coaching opportunities to minority candidates, Arians has walked the walk. He built the most diverse coaching staff in the NFL, and immediately won a Super Bowl. His top four assistants in Tampa Bay are all Black, and his staff was the first in NFL history to have two women in full-time coaching roles. - The fact that Arians is now stepping away at this particular time in order to make sure that Todd Bowles has every chance to succeed speaks volumes about his character, as both a coach and a person. - Off the field, Arians and his family have been active in the Tampa Bay community, in large part through the Arians Family Foundation: - - The Arians Family Foundation motto is “A Voice For Children” by supporting and developing programs which strives to prevent and ameliorate the abuse and neglect of children. The Arians Family Foundation supports CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in making sure that children who are involved in the court system, as a result of abuse or neglect by their families, receive the love and help they need. - - When Arians arrived in 2019, he spoke about changing the culture in Tampa Bay, and bringing the fans another championship. He has done both, and will remain involved in furthering that culture of excellence in many of the same ways he did as head coach. - Perhaps more important than the wins and losses, though, is the impact Arians’ presence will leave on the enduring culture within the organization, the future of the coaches he’s developed, and the efforts of his family to leave the Tampa Bay community better than they found it. - - List - - Why Bruce Arians passing the torch to Todd Bowles is a huge win for everyone - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Bucs Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Bucs Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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Jan 27, 2022