Smooth Transition For New Bucs DL Coach Charlie Strong
May 13th, 2025
Bucs DL coach Charlie Strong.
The Bucs have a new defensive line coach this year but not a new guy to local football fans.
Long-time college coach Charlie Strong, who has held many different coaching gigs in the state of Florida whether it was head coach of South Florida or a short stint in Miami or his several years at Florida, has been well-traveled in his college career.
So much so that Strong joked he already knew Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Mike Evans from his days as head coach at Texas and the many, many miles Strong logged on the recruiting trails.
Strong noted that after his USF days, he has remained a resident of Tampa. He was invited by the Bucs to attend some practices and developed a bond with Bucs coach Todd Bowles. Thus began his journey to the Bucs.
One of several Bucs players he has crossed paths with is rookie defensive lineman Elijah Roberts. Before Roberts transferred to SMU, Strong was a co-defensive coordinator with the Hurricanes.
Joe asked Strong what he remembered of Roberts.
“He liked to rush the quarterback,” Strong recalled. Strong liked his pass rushing skills but noted Roberts had to be coached up to stop the run, saying teams don’t throw the ball on every snap.
With Roberts, Strong noted he’s very versatile and doesn’t see a permanent position for him on the defensive line, at least for now. Strong said the Bucs will use Roberts both as an inside rusher and outside rusher.
Joe will have more from Strong a bit later today.
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Elijah Roberts Once Played For Bucs’ New DL Coach Charlie Strong