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Bruce Arians’ coaching staff could include Todd Bowles as defensive coordinator, other Cards assistants

The former Jets head coach played for Arians at Temple and coached with him in Cleveland and Arizona.
 
Published Jan. 8, 2019|Updated Jan. 8, 2019

TAMPA — Todd Bowles says he owes everything to Bruce Arians. He played for him at Temple, coached with him with the Browns and was hired by him as defensive coordinator with the Cardinals.

In fact, that same year Arians was selected as the head coach in Arizona, he told the Chicago Bears he would not accept a job as head coach in the NFL unless Bowles was part of the coaching staff.

"It was just an honor that he even considered me,'' Bowles said during an NFL Films production of A Football Life on Arians. "The man, how he changed my life and created the things that he created for me, I will forever be in debt.''

Speculation is that Bowles, who was fired as the Jets' head coach Dec. 30,  is likely to reward Arians again and join him on the Bucs staff as defensive coordinator.

Bowles met earlier in the week with the Washington Redskins, according to the NFL Network. It's unclear the specifics of the role he discussed with them.

"He was one of the smartest players I've ever coached, and then we had to work together in Cleveland, and I saw how great of a teacher he had become," Arians told Sports Illustrated in 2015.

"He did an unbelievable job with Anthony Henry, who I think had 10 picks as a rookie. He had a way of schooling guys and getting them prepared on what was going to happen on Sunday, and I knew he would be a great coordinator when he got the opportunity."

In fact, several members of Arians' coaching staff with the Cardinals is expected to join him in Tampa Bay.

That list could include not only Bowles, but Cardinals quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, who quarterbacked the Bucs in 2009; Harold Goodwin, who was his offensive line coach and offensive coordinator in Arizona; and defensive backs coach Kevin Ross. The Bucs already have defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, who worked for Arians in Arizona, under contract for another year.

Arians also remains close to former Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, who could land a spot as a senior advisor or assistant head coach. In Arizona, Tom Moore held a similar role under Arians.

What kind of defense would Bowles bring to Tampa Bay?

Well, it would have multiple formations, including 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. The biggest thing is that it will be predicated on blitzing and getting pressure on the quarterback.

The Bucs were 27th in total defense and 31st in scoring last year. Their personnel primarily is geared for a 4-3 base defense, with players like defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. But he and others, such as defensive tackle Vita Vea and defensive ends Carl Nassib and Jason Pierre-Paul, are athletic and versatile enough to adapt to any front.