Arians, who will turn 70 this season, coached the Bucs in the 2020 Super Bowl title – Tom Brady’s first with Tampa Bay. The Bucs were 31-18 in Arian’s three seasons there and he was 80-48-1 in eight years as head coach overall when he completed his five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will replace Arians as coach. NBC Sports and the Los Angeles Times first reported on Arians’s decision and that Bowles would be promoted. “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 a statement released by the team. “Today, I made the decision to move from the sidelines to another role with the Buccaneers’ front office, assisting (general manager) Jason Licht and his staff. “I love football. I love relationships, strategy, competition – everything. It was a hell of a ride, but I know this is the right time for me to make that transition.” Bowles is the sixth minority coach in the NFL at the moment, along with Mike Tomlin of Pittsburgh, Ron Rivera of Washington, Robert Saleh of the New York Jets, Lovy Smith of Houston and Mike McDaniel. He is also the fourth black coach in Bucs history, along with Tony Dungy, Raheem Morris and Smith. It is the second big announcement for the Bucs to leave this off-season, after Brady announced in February that he was ending his career. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, returned 40 days later, saying he would return for a 23rd season and noting that he had “unfinished business”. Brady, in an Instagram post Wednesday night, said Arians was an important part of his decision to play for Tampa Bay and that he would be “forever grateful”. “You are an incredible person and coach and it was a privilege to play for you,” Brady wrote. “You are a true NFL legend and a pioneer in all the work you have done to make the league more diverse and inclusive. Smart, tough and loyal are some of the words that describe your style. I will always remember the discussions we had. “when you recruited me two years ago and everything we discussed came true.” There was no public indication at the NFL Annual Meetings on the Atlantic side of the state in Palm Beach, Florida that such a move would come. Arians was there for a while, interviewing the NFL Network about what the team would have done to replace Brady if the general had not changed his mind. Licht addressed reporters briefly during the meetings, as did team co-owner Joel Glazer. Arians did not do a group interview there, with the group saying he was leaving for personal reasons. He was also one of four coaches who chose not to be part of the annual team photo of all NFL coaches in meetings. Bowles was interim coach in Miami for three games in 2011 and went 24-40 in four seasons with the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. “I thank the Glazer family and Jason Licht for trusting me to take on this role and coach Arians for his support and guidance over the past four decades,” Bowles said. “Tampa has become home to my family and we are excited to remain part of this community for years to come. … I look forward to starting with our players, the coaching staff and the front office to prepare for the 2022 season. ” – More AP NFL: and and
