Dirk Koetter promoted as Buccaneers new head coach

FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2015, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter talks to quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, in Tampa, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they have named Dirk Koetter the 11th head coach in franchise history, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2015, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter talks to quarterback Jameis Winston (3) during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, in Tampa, Fla. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they have named Dirk Koetter the 11th head coach in franchise history, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

By Associated Press January 15, 2016 1 min read

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning their rebuilding project over to Dirk Koetter.

The longtime NFL offensive coordinator became the team’s fifth coach since 2008 on Friday, succeeding Lovie Smith, who was fired after going 8-24 over the past two seasons.

Koetter’s selection wasn’t a surprise. He helped No. 1 overall draft pick Jameis Winston become just the third rookie in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards this season, and was identified by general manager Jason Licht as a “very strong candidate” when Smith was fired last week.

The Bucs went 6-10, missing the playoffs for the eighth straight year. But the offense set a franchise record for total offense, ranking fifth in the league.

It’s Koetter’s first NFL head coaching job. He was the head coach at Boise State for three years from 1998-2000, and for six seasons at Arizona State from 2001-06.