With Josh Grizzard Fired, Who is Favored to be Tampa Bay’s New OC in 2026? Who is the Top Candidate to Replace Josh Grizzard?
Full Story on Grizzard Being Fired by Tampa Bay
When the Buccaneers started the 2025 campaign with a 6-2 record, things appeared to be heading in the right direction for the team. But unfortunately, the football squad gave up the lead in the NFC South Division and a playoff spot when they lost seven of their remaining nine games. So therefore, the Bucs decided to make major changes on the coaching staff. Despite keeping head coach Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard after just one season on the job. The franchise also dismissed the following coaches: Charlie Strong (defensive line), Thad Lewis (quarterbacks), and Kevin Ross (cornerbacks). Safeties coach Nick Rapone and Senior Offense Assistant Tom Moore announced their retirements.
At the time of the coaching announcement, the 8-9 Buccaneers entered the offseason having snapped their five-year postseason streak. The year started right when Tampa Bay’s first three games were won thanks to a 4th quarter rally in each contest. One of the main reasons the team collapsed after a 6-2 start was due to injuries from star players such as WR Mike Evans and RB Bucky Irving. Perhaps their biggest win of the season came on October 5, where the football squad edged out the eventual #1 seed in the NFC Seahawks 38-35.
In terms of finding talent, Tampa Bay has selected the following recent college prospects in the NFL Draft: WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State, 2025), C Graham Barton (Duke, 2024), DT Calijah Kancey (Pittsburgh, 2023), and OT Tristan Wirfs (Iowa State, 2020). In eight games in 2025, the offense scored 20 points or less per contest. Grizzard becomes the third offensive coordinator to lose his job in the offseason along with John Morton (Lions) and Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders).
Josh Grizzard’s Career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grizzard became the offensive coordinator in 2025 after the departure of Liam Coen for the Jaguars. The former, who joined the Buccaneers in 2024 as the pass game coordinator, helped them secure their 4th straight NFC South Division title. However, Tampa Bay has only won one playoff game since Todd Bowles took over in 2022. The team wants to return to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since its Super Bowl run in 2020. Throughout the former top offensive caller’s time in Tampa Bay, the team compiled an 8-9 record (3-3 in divisional play).
Before joining Tampa Bay, Grizzard served multiple roles for the Miami Dolphins. His job ranged from offensive qualities coach (2017-2019, 2022-2023) to wide receivers coach (2020-2021). Grizzard guided the Dolphins to consecutive playoff berths in 2022 and 2023, the first time that happened in franchise history since 1997-2001. He also coached at the college level as a graduate assistant for the Duke Blue Devils (2013-2016).
What’s Next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Many Buccaneers football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Josh Grizzard in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Grizzard as Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator!
Possible Candidates to Replace Josh Grizzard as Tampa Bay OC
Internal Candidates
Kefense Hynson-Tampa Bay
- Yale Co-OC & WR Coach (2009-2011)
- Montana TE Coach (2012)
- Montana Co-OC & QB Coach (2013-2014)
- Norfolk State WR Coach (2015)
- Hawaii WR Coach (2016-2017)
- Oregon State WR Coach (2018-2024)
- Oregon State Interim HC (2024)
- Buccaneers Pass Game Coordinator (2025-Present)
Top Offensive Coordinator Candidates for Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Consider
Tommy Rees-Cleveland
- Northwestern Graduate Assistant (2015)
- Chargers Offense Assistant (2016)
- Notre Dame QB Coach (2017-2019)
- Notre Dame OC & QB Coach (2020-2022)
- Alabama OC & QB Coach (2023)
- Browns TE Coach (2024)
- Browns OC (2025-Present)
- Guided Fighting Irish to Two College Football Playoffs (2018, 2020)
Zac Robinson-Atlanta
- Los Angeles Assistant QB Coach (2019)
- Rams Assistant WR Coach (2020)
- Los Angeles Assistant QB Coach (2021)
- Rams Pass Game Coordinator (2022-2023)
- Falcons OC (2024-Present)
- Won Super Bowl LVI with Los Angeles in 2021
Grant Udinski-Jacksonville
- Baylor Graduate Assistant (2019)
- Panthers Offense Assistant (2020-2022)
- Vikings Associate HC (2022)
- Minnesota Assistant QB Coach (2023)
- Vikings Co-OC & Co-QB Coach (2024)
- Jaguars OC (2025-Present)
- Guided Jacksonville to AFC South Division Title in 2025
Todd Monken-Baltimore
- LSU WR Coach (2005-2006)
- Jaguars WR Coach (2007-2010)
- Oklahoma State OC & QB Coach (2011-2012)
- Southern Miss HC (2013-2015)
- Buccaneers OC (2016-2018)
- Browns OC (2019)
- Georgia OC & QB Coach (2020-2022)
- Ravens OC (2023-Present)
- Led Baltimore to AFC Championship Game in Early 2024
- Two-Time National Champion with Bulldogs (2021, 2022)
Leading Candidate to Replace Josh Grizzard as Tampa Bay OC in 2026
Nate Scheelhaase-Los Angeles
- Illinois RB Coach (2015)
- Illinois Offense Assistant (2016-2017)
- Iowa State RB Coach (2018)
- Cyclones WR Coach (2019-2022)
- Iowa State OC & QB Coach (2023)
- Rams Offense Assistant (2024)
- Rams Pass Game Coordinator (2025-Present)
- Took Cyclones to 2020 Big 12 Championship Game
- Also Guided Los Angeles to #5 Seed in the NFC in 2025
Other Coaching Carousel Updates in the NFL:
Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders OC)
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