TAMPA, Fla. — Todd Bowles earned his way in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball.
He’s not afraid to take offense.
The new Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach won’t be shy about sharing his ideas with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and quarterback Tom Brady.
“I’m the head coach. I can do whatever I want,” Bowles said Thursday, a day after taking office because Bruce Arians moved into a front-office role. “I will not name any plays. I understand that. But I have input on how the defense is trying to attack them. I have influence on certain situations going into the half, two minute or third downs or try or not try and that kind of thing. It’s my job and I have the freedom to do it. At the same time, I understand and respect Byron and Tom very much, and they know it. I think we got off to a good start in terms of communication and we just have to keep going.”
Bowles is getting a second chance after playing 24-40 in four seasons with the New York Jets from 2015-18. He also served as interim head coach at Miami for three games in 2011. He’s only the 12th minority to get a second head coaching opportunity since 1963, according to data in the NFL’s 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Report.
Todd Bowles, Getty Images
“When I started in New York you try to do things right and if you don’t do it your way you end up regretting it. So I’m going to do it my way,” Bowles said.
Arians joined Bowles at his inaugural press conference, learning that the Buccaneers will induct him into the team’s ring of honor this season. Brady was also present.
Arians, who turns 70 this year, said his decision to step down as manager was a “succession” and ensuring he handed the team over to Bowles with a chance of success. When Brady retired on March 13, Arians realized the time was right.
“The succession is very important to me,” said Arians. “It has been my dream for a long time. People who know me, they knew I wanted one of my guys to take over.”
Arians dismissed reports of friction with Brady, saying it “couldn’t be further from the truth”.
Bowles and Arians have a relationship that goes back more than 40 years. Bowles played safety for Arians at Temple in the 1980s and was defense coordinator on Arians’ Arizona staff before joining him in Tampa.
“He’s the most influential coaching figure and father figure I’ve ever had in this league,” Bowles said, adding that there was a bittersweet feeling upon hearing the news from Arians.
Bowles made it clear that he has a different personality than Arians.
“The only thing we have in common is our bald heads,” Bowles said. “He smokes, I don’t. He drinks, I don’t. So we never got in each other’s way.”
Arians led the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title in 2020 and an NFC South title in 2021. With Brady, Bowles takes on a team that has championship ambitions.
“Good players make good coaches, so you always want good players,” Bowles said. “I will not apologize for inheriting a talented team. I’ve had less success with a team. It’s other than the fact that I don’t think I can address that when I’m trying to be Bruce. I would fail miserably if I tried. … I can be me.
“I understand a lot of things I’ve learned from my coaching experience, especially from him, so I’ll take that approach. All I know is that I can coach soccer players, whether you’re an All-Pro or a rookie. All your players want to be coached and help them get better. I can help people get better and I will apply my approach.”