Tag: Byron Leftwich

Former Bucs playcaller getting interest around the NFL for positions

Fast forward two years, despite being out of the NFL during that time, Byron Leftwich is now getting interest from the league again. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found success with former NFL quarterback turned play-caller Byron Leftwich during his stint with the team. He was the team’s offensive coordinator when they won Super Bowl LV, with Tom Brady leading the team. However, his success never quite reached its peak again, and the team parted ways in 2023.

Fast forward two years, despite being out of the NFL during that time, Byron Leftwich is now getting interest from the league again.

This offseason, Leftwich has interviewed for two roles within the NFL. One is the New England Patriots head coaching job, a move many criticized as just the team attempting to fit within the Rooney Rule. However, a role that may make sense for his introduction back into the NFL, is as a play-caller.

This past week, it was reported by Jonathan Jones of CBS that Leftwich has interviewed for the Seahawks offensive coordinator vacancy. The Seahawks fired their previous coordinator, Ryan Grubb, after one year with the team and have been scouring for a replacement ever since.

If he were to take the job, Leftwich would return to the division where his NFL coaching career started with the Arizona Cardinals alongside former Bucs coach Bruce Arians.

Seahawks interview Byron Leftwich for OC position

Seahawks interview Byron Leftwich for OC position

It appears the Seattle Seahawks are not quite finished with their search for their next offensive coordinator. The team is scheduled to host a second interview with New Orleans Saints OC Klint Kubiak today, although this one would be in person. However, another name has emerged as a candidate: former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

It was reported on Friday morning the Seahawks recently interviewed Leftwich for the position. Leftwich has not coached in the NFL since the 2022 season.

Originally the No. 7 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Leftwich would eventually bounce around the league as a journeyman backup, spending several years with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After his career as a player ended (which included earning a Super Bowl ring as a backup), he successfully transitioned into coaching.

From 2016-2018 he was on staff with the Arizona Cardinals before joining with his former head coach Bruce Arians in Tampa to become the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. The greatest success of Leftwich’s coaching career came when he helped lead Tampa to victory in Super Bowl LV.

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Patriots reportedly interviewed two candidates for head coaching job

The Patriots have reportedly interviewed Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton

The New England Patriots have reportedly interviewed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton for their vacant head coaching job.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news on Tuesday.

It’s a quick turnaround after owner Robert Kraft announced his decision to fire former coach Jerod Mayo following the team’s season finale win over the Buffalo Bills.

With Tuesday’s interviews, the Patriots have fulfilled the Rooney Rule, which states that teams must interview at least two external diverse candidates (minority and/or female). Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel seems to be the clear target for the Patriots in their hiring process.

However, some have argued Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson would be a worthy fit as well. The team has requested to interview him for the job.

Kraft appears to be looking to move fast on a decision. Vrabel is currently interviewing for other jobs, while Johnson is likely focusing on the Lions’ postseason run.

The sooner the Patriots find a new head coach, the sooner they can get back to rebuilding.

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7 realistic OC candidates the Eagles can target after parting ways with Brian Johnson

We’re looking at seven realistic candidates who could replace Brian Johnson as Offensive Coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles

After a late-season meltdown that saw the Eagles go 1-6 in their final seven games, including the playoffs, the head coach is on the hot seat, and his assistant coaches are all expected to depart. 

Philadelphia’s third-year head coach has far exceeded expectations, but it’s clear that Johnson Gannon and Shane Steichen played far more significant roles than we thought.

The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports that offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, 36, won’t return after one season as the player-caller that saw him oversee the NFL’s No. 8-ranked unit but struggling to get consistent results during a late-season slide that included a blowout playoff loss to the Buccaneers.

Johnson recently interviewed for two different head coaching jobs — with the Falcons and Titans — but is expected to leave the Eagles regardless, per Derrick Gunn, likely landing “elsewhere in some offensive capacity.”

With things starting to heat up, we’re looking at seven realistic options for an offensive coordinator.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman, HC Nick Sirianni reaching out to coordinator candidates

After finishing their exit meeting, Eagles GM Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni have begun reaching out to potential coordinator candidates

It appears that Nick Sirianni will be safe and keep his job as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles after meeting with owner Jeffrey Lurie and GM Howie Roseman.

The same can’t be said for his assistants on both sides of the football.

Dianna Russini reports that Roseman and Sirianni have contacted potential coordinator candidates on the offensive and defensive sides.

Sirianni gets much credit for the Eagles’ success over the past three seasons.

Still, after a late-season meltdown that saw the Eagles go 1-6 in their final seven games, including the playoffs, the head coach and his assistant coaches expected were on the hot seat.

Philadelphia’s third-year head coach has far exceeded expectations, but it’s clear that Gannon and Steichen played far more prominent roles than we thought.

We previewed potential offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator candidates, and as the process began, the dominoes started to fall.

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10 offensive coordinator candidates the Eagles could target if Brian Johnson departs

We’re looking at ten offensive coordinator candidates the Philadelphia Eagles could target if Brian Johnson departs or is fired

Nick Sirianni officially has his own coaching tree after the Cardinals hired Jonathan Gannon and the Colts hired Shane Steichen in the 2023 coaching carousel.

Sirianni rightfully gets a lot of credit for the Eagles’ success.

Still, after a late-season meltdown that saw the Eagles go 1-6 in their final seven games, including the playoffs, the head coach and his assistant coaches could be on the hot seat.

Philadelphia’s third-year head coach has far exceeded expectations, but it’s clear that Gannon and Steichen played far more significant roles than we thought.

Examining the top potential candidates to replace Sean Lewis as Colorado’s OC

Who would you like to see become Colorado’s next OC?

Colorado’s annual search for a new offensive coordinator is back on as Sean Lewis is reportedly expected to take San Diego State’s vacant head coaching job.

Lewis was at Colorado for one season but was removed from his playcalling duties in October. Now reportedly out of Boulder, some are also speculating that current Buffs offensive line coach Bill O’Boyle will follow Lewis to SDSU.

While there’s one early replacement candidate who’s standing out among the rest, it’s still worth examining all of the top potential OC options for Colorado and head coach Deion Sanders.

Below are five of the top early candidates to know:

Notre Dame offensive coordinator search: Report on vetted candidates

Is Notre Dame comin’ for Coach Prime’s new offensive coordinator? Are they in a battle with Miami for an offensive mind? Tons of details on the search…

The question surrounding Notre Dame football this offseason went from “how will the offense look with an elite quarterback?” to “who is going to call plays for this offense?” in no time.

[autotag]Tommy Rees[/autotag] took an offer to be the offensive coordinator at Alabama last week, and, according to Football Scoop, [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] and Notre Dame have targeted some of the biggest-names among position coaches in the NFL and offensive play-callers in college.

Here is an update on who Notre Dame has reached out to and where things seemingly stand on each candidate according to the Football Scoop report.

Notre Dame offensive coordinator candidate: Bryon Leftwich

Notre Dame OC candidate biography: Byron Leftwich

Notre Dame has a vacancy at offensive coordinator after Tommy Rees took the same position on Nick Saban’s Alabama staff in early February.  Where will Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame turn for their new offensive coordinator?

Here at Fighting Irish Wire we’ll be giving you a bio and summary of the career of some of the names that emerge as candidates.  We’re also making an effort for some guest contributors who have either followed or covered each potential candidate’s coaching careers.

In the first edition we will take a quick look at Byron Leftwich’s football career.  Word is he has reached out to [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] about the opening and is considered among the top candidates.

Report: Byron Leftwich a potential OC candidate at Notre Dame

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich could be heading to the college ranks

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ former offensive coordinator might be heading to the college ranks to continue his coaching career.

Byron Leftwich is a “serious candidate” to be the new offensive coordinator at Notre Dame, per Grace Remington of 247 Sports.

Leftwich was fired by the Bucs after four seasons, three of which were impressive and included a Super Bowl win, but a disappointing 2022 campaign proved to be his undoing.

Tampa Bay has still yet to hire his replacement for Leftwich, as they overhaul most of the coaching staff on that side of the ball.

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