The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a bit of a surprise announcement on Wednesday as it was declared that Bruce Arians would retire and that Todd Bowles would take over as the Buccaneers new head coach according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Arians was the Buccaneers head coach when they won the Super Bowl in 2021.
This is the second time a person from the Buccaneers has retired in the offseason. Quarterback Tom Brady initially retired and then changed his mind. When Brady retired, the Buccaneers did not immediately announce his predecessor. On Wednesday, that is what the Buccaneers announced with Arians’ retirement at age 69.
Bowles is a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey. This is his third head coaching job after one year with the Miami Dolphins in 2011, and four seasons with the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. In his five seasons as a National Football League head coach, Bowles posted a record of 26 wins and 41 losses.
In addition to being a NFL head coach, Bowles has had many years as a NFL assistant coach. He was the Jets secondary coach in 2000, the Cleveland Browns secondary nickel-package coach from 2001 to 2003, the Browns secondary coach in 2004, the Dallas Cowboys secondary coach from 2005 to 2007, the Dolphins assistant head coach and secondary coach from 2008 to 2011, the Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach and defensive co-ordinator in 2012, the Arizona Cardinals defensive co-ordinator in 2013 and 2014, and the Buccaneers defensive co-ordinator from 2019 to 2021.
As a player, Bowles was a safety from 1986 to 1993. He spent most of his time with Washington except one season with the San Francisco 49ers in 1991. In 117 games, he had 15 interceptions for 208 yards, seven fumble recoveries and two sacks. Bowles was part of the Washington team that won the Super Bowl in 1988.
Arians meanwhile retires after being a head coach in the NFL for nine years. He had a record of 89 wins and 51 losses with the Indianapolis Colts, Cardinals, and Buccaneers.
For FREE!
