Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Lovie Smith plans more hands-on involvement on Bucs’ defense

Minnesota Vikings v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 26: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walks on to the field prior to the start against the Minnesota Vikings at Raymond James Stadium on October 26, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The Buccaneers were the worst team in the NFL in Lovie Smith’s first season as head coach, so there’s a lot that Smith needs to work on this year. But Smith is spending most of his attention on the aspect of the team that he knows best.

Smith, who has always coached the defensive side of the ball, told the Tampa Bay Times he will be “more involved” in the defense in 2015 than he was in 2014.

“I’m just saying, when you come in initially, there’s a lot of things as a head football coach you have to get into play,” Smith said. “We’ve gotten those things into play. My expertise, I’m a head coach because of what I’ve done on the defensive side. I’ve been very involved every year I’ve been a head coach.”

It’s unclear whether Smith will take over the play calling from defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, but Smith clearly thinks there are areas that need improvement, and that the best way to get it done is to do it himself.