Tom Brady on the Arians: “You are an incredible person and coach and it was an honor to play for you. You are a true NFL legend and a pioneer in all the work you have done to make the league more diverse and inclusive.”
Bruce Arians unexpectedly decided to step down as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was appointed to the position from next season.
Arians spent three years as head coach with the Buccaneers, initially retiring from the sport in 2017 after five years in the same role with the Arizona Cardinals, before telling his coaching staff and players on Wednesday that he was ending his long career.
In a statement, Aryan said: “I love football. I like relationships, strategy, competition, everything. It’s been a hell of a journey, but I know now is the right time for me to make this transition.
“So why now? The simple answer is that I have achieved more than I could ever have dreamed of during this incredible coaching journey. Winning Super Bowl LV at our home stadium, with my mom and family present, was really the last thing I wanted to check my career wish list. For me, this is more than just trying to add more wins to my coaching record.
“This team is in a much better position than it was three years ago thanks to Jason’s great work and the Glazer family’s drive to win. Before you start thinking it’s about my health, don’t. This is the best I’ve felt in many years and I look forward to helping this team continue to win through my new role.
“I want to focus on what I can give to this incredible game that has given me and my family so much. I really started thinking about my personal transition plan early this offseason. I wanted to make sure that when I left, Todd Bowles would have the best chance of success.
“So many head coaches get into situations where they are doomed to fail, and I didn’t want that for Todd. Tom’s decision to come back with Jason and his team did another great job of keeping the core of this team going. during free agency confirmed for me that it was time to pass the baton to Todd.”
Arians posted a 31-18 record in his three seasons, winning the Super Bowl after the 2020 season and then being eliminated by the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams in the NFC division playoffs after last season.
Bowles becomes the sixth minority head coach currently in the NFL, joining Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Washington’s Ron Rivera, New York Jets’ Robert Saleh, Houston’s Lovi Smith, and Miami’s Mike McDaniel.
