NFL

Dirk Koetter Named Buccaneers Head Coach

Published

11 years ago

January 15, 2016

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced today that they have named Dirk Koetter the 11th head coach in franchise history.

“We are excited to announce that Dirk Koetter will lead the Buccaneers as our new head coach,” said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer. ”Dirk has established himself as one of the top offensive coaches in our game while enjoying success at every stop during his college and NFL career. His success with our offense last season, along with his familiarity with our players and our organization, makes Dirk the right man to lead our team moving forward.”

In his first season with Tampa Bay (2015), serving as the team’s offensive coordinator, Koetter helped pilot one of the most successful offenses in the NFL and one of the best in team history. The team set the franchise record for total yards (6,014 – 357.0 per game), while posting the second-most rushing yards (2,162 – 135.1 per game) and second-most passing yards (3,852 – 240.8 per game), along with the fifth-most total points (342 – 21.4 per game). Tampa Bay ranked fifth in the NFL in yards per game (375.9), fifth in rushing yards per game (135.1) and second in the league in rush average (4.75). It marked the first time in franchise history that the Buccaneers have finished in the Top 5 in total offense.

Much of Tampa Bay’s offensive success in 2015 came at the hands of rookie quarterback Jameis Winston, who accounted for 28 total touchdowns (22 passing, six rushing). Koetter also helped guide Winston to 4,042 passing yards, which were the second-most in a single season in team history and the third-most by a rookie in NFL history. Winston’s 22 passing touchdowns were tied for the fourth-most in a single season in team history and the fourth-most by a rookie in NFL history. His six rushing touchdowns and 28 combined touchdowns were the most in a single season by a Buccaneers quarterback, while his 28 total touchdowns were tied for the third-most by a rookie in NFL history.

“When I started this search for a new head coach, the focus was on finding someone that could be a strong leader as well as a consummate teacher, and Dirk is both,” said General Manager Jason Licht. “He brings the passion and drive that will re-energize our organization and help us establish the winning culture that will help us become the championship-caliber team that our fans deserve.”

Prior to Koetter’s arrival, the Buccaneers ranked 29th in rushing and tied for 29th in sacks allowed in 2014. This past season, under Koetter’s guidance, the unit completed an impressive turnaround. Despite starting two rookies on the offensive line, Tampa Bay still managed to block for the NFL’s second-leading rusher (Doug Martin – 1,402 yards) and tied for the fourth-fewest sacks in the league. While Martin was a large part of the team’s success running the ball, he was aided by running back Charles Sims, who totaled 1,090 scrimmage yards (107 rushes for 529 yards, 51 catches for 561 yards). Sims averaged 6.9 yards per touch, the most by any player in the NFL with at least 150 touches since 2011 (Darren Sproles in 2011, 7.6 avg.). Martin and Sims’ combined 2,566 yards from scrimmage were the most by a running back duo in the NFL in 2015 and set a franchise record for backfield teammates.

Koetter also played a key role in revamping the Buccaneers’ passing game. Part of the team’s success passing the ball came from targeting top wide receiver Mike Evans, who caught 74 passes for 1,206 yards. His 1,206 yards are the seventh-most in a single season in team history and stood as the 11th-most in the league last season. Another player who was pivotal in the team’s passing attack, Charles Sims’ 561 receiving yards were the fourth-most by a running back in the NFL in 2015, while his four receiving touchdowns set a franchise record and tied for the second-most in the league by a running back.

Koetter joined the Buccaneers after three seasons working as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons (2012-14). During his three seasons with Atlanta, the team cumulatively ranked second in the NFL in completion percentage (67.4), third in third-down conversion percentage (44.1), fourth in passing yards (277.2 per game), ninth in passing touchdowns (86), ninth in passer rating (93.9), 10th in points (24.0 per game) and 10th in total yardage (363.5 per game), while posting the second-fewest penalties (243) and penalty yards (2,043), seventh-fewest turnovers (69) and the ninth-lowest interception percentage (2.4) in the league. Koetter was part of the Falcons staff that went 13-3 in 2012 and played in the NFC Championship Game.

Under Koetter, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan posted the three highest passing yardage seasons in franchise history, as well as three of the four highest completion percentage seasons. In 2012, Ryan set franchise records and personal bests in passing yards (4,719), completion percentage (68.6) and passing touchdowns (32), while recording the second-highest passer rating mark in Falcons history (99.1). Atlanta wide receivers also flourished under Koetter, with Julio Jones setting a franchise record and ranking third in the NFL in receiving yards in 2014 with 1,593 yards. In those three seasons, the Falcons had a different player lead the team in receiving yards each season (Roddy White, 2012; Harry Douglas, 2013; Jones, 2014).

While Koetter was in charge of the Falcons’ offense, he coached three players to Pro Bowl appearances (Julio Jones, 2012, 2014; Tony Gonzalez, 2012-13; Matt Ryan, 2012), with Gonzalez earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2012. In his first season with Koetter in 2012, Gonzalez set a franchise record for receiving yards by a tight end, recording 93 catches for 930 yards – the most he had recorded in either category since 2008. That same season, Jones and White combined for 2,549 receiving yards, the most by a duo in the NFL.

Prior to joining the Falcons, Koetter spent five seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars (2007-11). In his five years with the Jaguars, the team cumulatively ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards (132.0 per game) and sixth in rushing average (4.41). Koetter’s Jacksonville offenses also showed a penchant for taking care of the football, tallying the seventh-fewest turnovers in the league during that time.

Koetter had immediate success in Jacksonville, with his 2007 team setting franchise records in points (25.7 per game, sixth in the NFL) and total offense (357 yards per game, seventh in the NFL). In his first season as the starter, quarterback David Garrard ranked third in the NFL and set a franchise record in passer rating (102.2), throwing a league-low three interceptions, while leading the team to a Wild Card playoff berth and a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2008, Garrard threw for a career-best 3,620 yards and in 2010 he tossed 23 touchdowns, a career high and a franchise record.

While with the Jaguars, Koetter coached four different players to six Pro Bowl selections, including running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who earned three trips to the Pro Bowl and led the NFL in rushing in 2010 en route to earning an All-Pro selection. Koetter also helped tight end Marcedes Lewis earn a Pro Bowl berth following the 2010 season, when Lewis caught 10 touchdown passes, then tied for the most in a season in Jaguars history.

Before joining the Jaguars, Koetter spent 22 years at the collegiate level, the final six as the head coach at Arizona State (2001-06). In his six seasons with the Sun Devils, Koetter led the team to four bowl games, posting a 40-34 record. Working as both the head coach and offensive coordinator, he helped Arizona State average nearly 30 points per game over six seasons, while ranking in the top 20 in the nation in passing offense in five of his six years. In addition, five of the six Sun Devil teams during Koetter’s tenure produced a 1,000-yard receiver and quarterbacks that threw for 20 or more touchdowns in five of six seasons.

Koetter’s first head coaching opportunity came at Boise State, where he spent three seasons (1998-2000), finishing with a 26-10 record and two consecutive bowl wins. He was a two-time Big West Coach of the Year and two-time conference champion.

A native of Pocatello, Idaho, Koetter played collegiately at Idaho State (1978-81), helping lead his team to a Division I-AA national championship as a senior. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and earned a master’s in athletic administration a year later. After getting his master’s, he became the head coach at Highland (Idaho) High School, where he worked from 1983-84, going 19-4 and winning the 1984 state championship.

In 1985, Koetter worked as the offensive coordinator at San Francisco State and from 1986-88 was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Texas El-Paso. He then served as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Missouri from 1989-93 and offensive coordinator at Boston College (1994-95) and Oregon (1996-97).

Koetter, 56, and his wife, Kim, have two daughters, Kaylee and Kendra, and two sons, Derek and Davis.

KOETTER AT A GLANCE

YEARS HEAD COACH

1978-81 Idaho State, player Bud Hake, Dave Kragthorpe

1983-84 Highland High School, Head Coach

1985 San Francisco State, Offensive Coordinator Vic Rowen

1986 Texas El-Paso, Quarterbacks Coach Bob Stull

1987-88 Texas-El Paso, OC & QB Coach Bob Stull

1989-93 Missouri, Offensive Coordinator Bob Stull

1994-95 Boston College, Offensive Coordinator Dan Henning

1996-97 Oregon, Offensive Coordinator Mike Bellotti

1998-2000 Boise State, Head Coach

2001-06 Arizona State, Head Coach

2007-11 Jacksonville Jaguars, Offensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio

2012-14 Atlanta Falcons, Offensive Coordinator Mike Smith

2015 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Offensive Coordinator Lovie Smith

2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach

NOTABLE PLAYERS UNDER DIRK KOETTER

David Garrard

· Pro Bowl Selection (2009)

Tony Gonzalez

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (2012, 2013)

· First-team AP All-Pro (2012)

Julio Jones

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (2012, 2014)

· First-team AP All-Pro (2014)

Maurice Jones-Drew

· 3x Pro Bowl Selection (2009, 2010, 2011)

· First-team AP All-Pro (2011)

· 2x Sporting News All-Pro (2009, 2010)

· 2x PFWA All-NFL/All-AFC Team (2009, 2011)

· Led NFL in rushing in 2011

Marcedes Lewis

· Pro Bowl Selection (2010)

· Pro Football Focus All-Pro (2010)

Doug Martin

· Pro Bowl Selection (2015)

· First-team AP All-Pro (2015)

Matt Ryan

· 2x Pro Bowl Selection (2012, 2014)

· NFC Offensive Player of the Month (September 2012)

Fred Taylor

· Pro Bowl Selection (2007)

· Second-team AP All-Pro (2007)

· 2007 FedEx Ground Player of the Year

Jameis Winston

· NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (November 2015)

· 3x Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week

· FedEx Air Player of the Week

OFFENSIVE MILESTONES UNDER KOETTER

Atlanta Falcons

· Most yards in a single season in franchise history (378.2 per game)

Jacksonville Jaguars

· Most points in a single season in franchise history (25.7 per game)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

· Most yards in a single season in franchise history (375.9 per game)

· Second-most rushing yards in a single season in franchise history (135.1 per game)

· Highest yards per carry in team history (4.82 avg.)

· Fourth-most points in team history (21.4 per game)

QB David Garrard,

· 102.2 passer rating in 2007

o Career-best, franchise record, third-highest in NFL

· 3,620 passing yards in 2008

o Career-best

· 64.5 completion percentage in 2010

o Career-best, franchise record, seventh in NFL

· 23 passing touchdowns in 2010

o Career-best, then-franchise record

TE Tony Gonzalez

· 93 receptions in 2012

o Most by a tight end in franchise history, ninth-most in NFL, second-most by a tight end in NFL

· 930 receiving yards in 2012

o Most by a tight end in franchise history, third-most by a tight end in NFL

· 8 touchdown receptions in 2013 & 2012

o Tied for second-most by a tight end in team history

§ Tied for fourth-most in NFL both seasons

WR Julio Jones

· 104 receptions in 2014

o Tied for fourth-most in franchise history, third-most in NFL

· 1,593 receiving yards in 2014

o Second-most in franchise history, third-most in NFL

· 10 touchdown receptions in 2012

o Tied for ninth-most in franchise history, tied for seventh-most in NFL

TE Maurice Jones-Drew

· 15 rushing touchdowns in 2009

o Career-best, franchise record, second-highest in NFL

· 1,606 rushing yards in 2011

o Career-best, franchise record, most in NFL

TE Marcedes Lewis

10 touchdown receptions in 2010

o Career-best, tied for then-franchise record (most by Jags TE), tied for seventh-most in NFL and tied for most by NFL tight end

RB Doug Martin

· 1,402 rushing yards in 2015

o Second-most in NFL, third-most in team history.

· 1,673 yards from scrimmage in 2015

o Third-most in team history, fourth-most in NFL

QB Matt Ryan

· 68.6 completion percentage in 2012

o Career-best, franchise record, led NFL

§ Also posted the second (2013) and fifth (2014) best completion percentage marks in team history under Koetter

· 4,719 passing yards in 2012

o Career-best, franchise record, fifth in NFL

§ Also posted the second (2014) and fourth (2013) best passing yard marks in team history under Koetter

§ Ranked fourth in 2013 and fifth in 2014 in the NFL in passing yards

· 32 passing touchdowns in 2012

o Career-best, franchise record, fifth-most in NFL

· 99.1 passer rating in 2012

o Career-best, second-most in team history, fifth-highest in NFL

RB Charles Sims

· 4 touchdown receptions in 2015

o Franchise record for running back

WR Reggie Williams

· 10 touchdown receptions in 2007

o Career-best, tied for then-franchise record

QB Jameis Winston

· 4,042 passing yards in 2015

o Second-most in team history, third-most by a rookie in NFL history. 11th-most in NFL

· 22 passing touchdowns in 2015

o Most by a rookie in team history, tied for fourth-most in a single season in team history, fourth-most by a rookie in NFL history

· 6 rushing touchdowns in 2015

o Most by a quarterback in single season in team history, second-most in NFL

· 28 combined touchdowns in 2015

o Franchise-record, tied for third-most by a rookie in NFL history

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Maul The Patriots 35-6

Published

2 days ago

September 27, 2026

Mike Brodsky

Jaguars vs. Patriots (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) beat the New England Patriots (1-2) 35-6 at EverBank Stadium today. The Jaguars have now won six consecutive home games dating back to November 16, 2025. The Jaguars lost their nine game regular season winning streak last week in Denver with their 20-13 loss to the Broncos.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, highlighted by the Jaguars sacking Patriots QB Drake Maye to force a fumble, which was recovered by NT DaVon Hamilton. But neither team put points on the board.

Early in the second quarter, Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence found WR Josh Cameron in the end zone for a 12 yard touchdown, followed by K Cam Little’s extra point, to put the Jags ahead 7-0. Soon after, it looked as though Maye had scrambled into the end zone for a 21 yard touchdown run, but that play was nullified by an offensive holding penalty by Patriots RT Morgan Moses. They did manage to score on a 35 yard field goal by K Andy Borregales, to narrow their deficit to 7-3. But the Jags extended their lead as Lawrence completed a 10 yard pass for WR Jakobi Meyers’ 25th career touchdown pass. That was also Lawrence’s 104th passing touchdown of his career, moving him past QB Blake Bortles for sole possession of second place on the Jaguars all-time list. QB Mark Brunell currently holds the team record with 144. After Little’s extra point, the Jags were up 14-3. The Patriots came close to scoring late in the second quarter, but Jaguars CB Travis Hunter had his first career interception, grabbing a pass by Maye intended for WR Efton Chism III in the end zone. The Jaguars gave Cam Little an opportunity to break his own NFL regular season record with a 70 yard field goal attempt, but it went wide right. The score remained 14-3 at the half.

Travis Hunter’s First Career Interception. (Photo Credit Arthur “Dell” Morgan)

On the Patriots first drive of the third quarter, Borregales attempted a 38 yard field goal, but it went wide right. Late in the quarter, Lawrence completed a 17 yard touchdown pass to WR Parker Washington, followed by Little’s XP, extending the lead to 21-3. As the Patriots took possession, Jaguars CB Jarrian Jones intercepted a Drake Maye pass intended for WR Kyle Williams. On the next play, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran for a five yard touchdown. After another Little XP, the Jags were up 28-3 at the end of the third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Borregales redeemed himself with a 40 yard field goal, but the Pats remained down 28-6. The Jags added to their lead as RB Bhayshul Tuten ran for a 1 yard touchdown, and with Little’s extra point they finished the game up 35-6.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 182 passing yards and 3 TDs. Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ rushing with 73 yards and 1 TD. Jakobi Meyers was the leading receiver with 64 yards and 1 TD.

The Jaguars will be on the road for the month of October. They face the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 4th at 1:00 p.m. Their next two games will be across the pond in London, where they’ll play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October 11th at 9:30 a.m. EST at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 18th at 9:30 a.m. EST at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars have a bye for NFL Week 7, then return home to host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 p.m. at EverBank Stadium. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

Jacksonville

Jaguars Blowout the Browns 34-10

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2026

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) beat the Cleveland Browns (0-1) 34-10 at EverBank Stadium today. The Jags scored early and often in this dominant victory over Cleveland, extending their winning streak to nine games, which is now the second-longest regular season winning streak in franchise history.

Browns QB Deshaun Watson entered this game 7-0 against the Jaguars. This was also his first game since October 20, 2024, when he ruptured his Achilles tendon. Watson’s first drive of the game was ended by a Foye Oluokun interception. The Jaguars first drive ended with a 30 yard touchdown pass by QB Trevor Lawrence to WR Parker Washington, with K Cam Little adding the extra point, to put the Jags ahead 7-0. The Jags added another score on their next drive, as Lawrence had his 100th career touchdown pass, a 4 yard completion to WR Josh Cameron, for Cameron’s first career TD reception. Little added the XP, to put the Jags up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Jaguars next possession in the second quarter ended with a 47 yard field goal by Little, extending the Jaguars lead 17-0. On the Browns’ next possession, the Jags forced a fumble by WR KC Concepcion Jr., which was recovered by DE Josh Hines-Allen. Five plays later, Lawrence later completed a 14 yard touchdown pass to TE Brenton Strange, followed by another Little extra point, as the Jags moved ahead 24-0, which remained the score at halftime.

The Jaguars’ first possession of the third quarter ended with another score, as Lawrence found WR Jakobi Meyers in the end zone, completing a 32 yard pass, followed by another XP by Little. The Jags now led 31-0. The Browns finally put points on the board on their next drive, with a 26 yard field goal by K Andre Szmyt, reducing the deficit to 31-3. Little added a 40 yard field goal, putting the Jags ahead 34-3 at the end of the quarter.

Nick Mullens entered the game at Quarterback for the Jags about midway through the fourth quarter. Trevor Lawrence left the game with a QB rating of 150.6, his highest ever. The Browns did manage a 46 yard touchdown pass by Watston to WR Denzel Boston just after the two-minute warning, followed by Szmyt’s XP, making the final score 34-10.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 245 passing yards and 4 TDs. Bhayshul Tuten led the Jaguars’ rushing with 66 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 83 yards and 1 TD.

Trevor Lawrence also became only the fourth player in NFL history to record at least 100 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns before turning 27 years old. The first three were Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Cam Newton.

Today’s game also marked the return of WR/CB Travis Hunter, who missed 10 games last season with a torn LCL.

The Jaguars’ stadium renovations also continue all season long, with the team playing in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium for the 2027 season. For an update on this construction project, visit https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdPBZU-BqKC/?stkn=a2lrcXViMmx0aWJ5.

The Jaguars head west to Denver to play the Broncos on Sunday, September 20th at 4:05 p.m. EST. They return to EverBank to play the New England Patriots on Sunday, September 27th at 1:00 p.m. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

Jacksonville

Jaguars Lose to the Bills 27-24 in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs

Published

9 months ago

January 11, 2026

Mike Brodsky

Jaguars vs. Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (13-5) lost to the Buffalo Bills (13-5) 27-24 at EverBank Stadium today in the AFC Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Jaguars finished with nine more victories than last season, but fans are still disappointed that the miracle season has come to an end.

On Jacksonville’s second drive of the game, QB Trevor Lawrence threw a pass intended for WR Parker Washington that was intercepted by Bills LB Shaq Thompson. A couple of plays later, Bills QB Josh Allen was tacked by Jaguars DE Josh Hines-Allen, and Allen went to the Bills’ blue tent to be evaluated for a concussion, but was cleared to return. On the fourth down, K Matt Prater kicked a 50 yard field goal to put the Bills on the board 3-0, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Trevor Lawrence completed a 3 yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr. and K Cam Little added the extra point, putting the Jaguars ahead 7-3. On the kickoff, the Jaguars benefited from a fumble by Bills RB Ray Davis that LB Devin Lloyd recovered. The Jaguars were on Buffalo’s 9 yard line when Trevor Lawrence tried to dive for a first down on 4th and 2, but came up a little short on the officials’ review. The Bills took possession and ended up scoring on Josh Allen’s two yard touchdown run, followed by Prater’s XP. The Jaguars managed to get into field goal position just before the half, but Cam Little missed a 54 yard field goal that hit the left upright, ending his streak of 20 consecutive field goals made, including a 67 yarder just last week which set the NFL outdoor record. The Bills were up 10-7 at halftime.

Matt Prater kicked a 47 yard field goal on the Bills’ first drive of the third quarter, extending their lead to 13-7. Cam Little redeemed himself with a 43 yard field goal on the Jaguars’ next drive, to narrow the Jags’ deficit to 13-10, which remained the score at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth, Trevor Lawrence found Parker Washington in the end zone for a 6 yard touchdown pass, and after Cam Little’s XP, the Jags were ahead 17-13. But Josh Allen’s 15 yard touchdown pass to TE Dalton Kincaid, followed by Matt Prater’s XP, put the Bills up 20-17. The Jags responded with a 14 yard Lawrence touchdown pass to RB Travis Etienne Jr., and a Little XP, to put the Jaguars ahead 24-20. Josh Allen ran into the end zone for another Bills touchdown, followed by Prater’s XP with just over a minute left in the game, putting the Bills up 27-24. Trevor Lawrence threw a pass that was intercepted by Bills S Cole Bishop, effectively ending the season for the Jaguars.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 207 passing yards and 3 TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 67 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 107 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 70,250.

Today marked the Jaguars’ 17th playoff game in history. With today’s loss, they are now 5-3 in the Wild Card round, and 4-2 at home in the playoffs. Jacksonville beat the Bills in the 1996 AFC Wild Card round to win their first playoff game in franchise history.

The AFC Divisional Playoff schedule will be announced after the completion of this weekend’s playoff games. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.