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What did Bruce Arians win with the Buccaneers and who is replacing him?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just saw their head coach retire, but just who was Bruce Arians and who on earth is going to replace him as head coach?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just saw their head coach retire, but just who was Bruce Arians and who on earth is going to replace him as head coach?
AFP

As if there weren't enough surprises in this NFL off season, the latest news coming out of the Buccaneers camp is most definitely a show stopper.

Bruce Arians announces retirement

In what is proving to be the most 'topsy-turvy' off-season in NFL history, the latest page has been turned in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians is retiring from coaching. Arians it is understood will be taking on the role of Senior Football Consultant within the franchise. According to a team announcement, Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will take over the position of head coach.

Though the announcement will undoubtedly come as a shock to many Arians stated that he had been contemplating the decision for some time, including after the Buccaneers Super Bowl LVI victory back in February of 2021. As we now know the veteran coach opten for one last go of it but in the end the Bucs' were elminated in the divisional round of the playoffs this year. "I have spent most of the last 50 years of my life on the sidelines as a football coach in one form or another," Arians said in his officfial statement. "Today, I have made the decision to move from the sidelines into another role with the Buccaneers front office, assisting Jason Licht and his staff. I love football. I love the relationships, the strategy, the competition—everything. It has been one hell of a ride, but I know this is the right time for me to make this transition."

The details of Bruce Arians decision

There will of course be a great deal of speculation surrounding how and why Arians decided to call it quits, especially considering Tom Brady's recent declaration that he will be coming out of retirement to rejoin the Bucs. Rumors had previously circulated that the two did not enjoy a good relationship, however, Arians was quick to put them to bed saying that the pair had a "great relationship off the field." Indeed, Arians went on to point out that Brady's announcement actually encouraged him in that the team would remain competitive regardless of his departure.

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"It hit me after the Super Bowl," Arians told NBC Sports and the L.A Times. "I thought really hard about going out on top. Then it was like, nah, let's go for two. [The 2021 season] was a grind with all the injuries but still winning and getting to where we got. Immediately after, two to three weeks afterwards [I thought]...if I quit, my coaches get fired. I couldn't do it then. Tom was kind of the key. When Tom decided to come back...and all of these guys back now, it's the perfect timing for me just to go into the front office and still have the relationships that I love."

Todd Bowles is the right choice for Bruce Arians

With his trusted defensive coodinator set to take over control of the team, Arians couldn't be happier as he looks towards a new chapter in his story with Tampa Bay. "Succession has always been huge for me," Arians said. "With the organization in probably the best shape it's been in its history, with Tom Brady coming back...I'd rather see Todd in position to be successful and not have to take some [crappy] job. I'm probably retiring next year anyway, in February. So, I control the narrative right now. I don't control it next February because [if] Brady gets hurt, we go 10-7, and it's an open interview for the job...I got 31 [coaches and their] families that depend on me. My wife is big on not letting all those families down."

What were Bruce Arians numbers like?

As his storied career comes to an end, Bruce Arians can definitely hold his head high as one of the more successful coaches in the modern game. His regular season record stands at a formidable 80-48-1, while his playoff numbers stand at 6-3. During that time he went from Offensive Coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers - eventually winning Super Bowl XLIII - to serving as the same for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. With the Colts he would go on to be named AP Coach of the year making him the first interim coach to receive the award in history.

The following season Arians would join the Arizona Cardinals where he would coach until the 2019 season when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Once in charge of the Buccaneers, Arians would go on to build one of the best teams the league has seen with Tom Brady at the helm. He would also trade for Brady's former teammate with the Patriots, tight end Rob Gronkowski. That move would of course form the basis for one of the most dangerous partnerships around, finally culminating with victory in Super Bowl LV.