Bucs Find In-House Answers; Hire Todd Bowles’ Son
February 12th, 2026
It’s well documented that Todd Bowles sent a lot of assistant coaches packing this offseason, in addition to having a couple guys retire.
Heck, Bowles launched about as many coaches as the Bucs had sacks from edge rushers last season.
Today, the Bucs announced various hirings, many of which already had been reported.
They included three major in-house promotions: Tim Atkins to safeties coach, Rashad Johnson to cornerbacks coach and Chad Wade to head strength and conditioning coach.
The Bucs also hired Bowles’ son, Todd Bowles Jr., as defensive assistant, and Luke Smith as assistant special teams coach. Smith happens to be the nephew of new Bucs special teams coordinator Danny Smith. (There is no truth to the rumor that Zac Robinson’s wife is now in charge of Jason Licht’s junk food feast on draft night.)
Bowles’ son recently wrapped up his college playing career at Long Island University and Rutgers.
Joe is intrigued by the in-house promotions of Atkins, Johnson and Wade, who has been with the Bucs since the Raheem Morris era.
Are they the best men for the job after an exhausting national search to make the Bucs the very best they can be? Joe’s not sure. But coaches deserve a shot. Perhaps each suggested significant changes that resonated well with Bowles.