NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Top 5 Offensive Coordinator Candidates For Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Top 5 Offensive Coordinator Candidates For Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lovie Smith
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

It's been a disastrous first season for Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay. With high expectations coming into the season and his man Josh McCown running the offense, Smith has seen no improvement from any unit on the team, especially on offense. To make matters worse, the man he hired last January to run the offense, Jeff Tedford, has been released from the staff. Now it's time to find the man to replace him.

5. Marcus Arroyo

Marcus Arroyo Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Marcus Arroyo

Marcus Arroyo Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The man that took over for Tedford after he left in September (medical reasons) was Marcus Arroyo. Realistically, he's been running the offense all season. Although plagued by injuries, the offense is ranked 17th in passing and 29th in rushing in the NFL. Smith will likely bring him in for an interview for his work as interim offensive coordinator and the great work he's done with rookie wide receiver Mike Evans.

4. Tom Herman

Tom Herman Ohio State Buckeyes
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4. Tom Herman

Tom Herman Ohio State Buckeyes
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Tom Herman has nine seasons of experience as an offensive coordinator, with the previous two being under Urban Meyer at Ohio State University. His last two seasons running the offense and coaching the quarterbacks have been two of the best in the nation; offenses have ranked atop the B1G conference and top 15 nationally. Braxton Miller, Kenny Guiton and J.T. Barrett have all received national recognition for their play.

3. Lincoln Riley

Lincoln Riley East Carolina Pirates
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3. Lincoln Riley

Lincoln Riley East Carolina Pirates
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Lincoln Riley may not be a very popular choice, but he deserves recognition and a chance to be looked at. Since becoming the OC five seasons ago, Riley has had his offense ranked top 10 nationally five different times and in four separate categories. Also, as a part of the Texas Tech staff for seven seasons, more specifically as the receivers coach, he was responsible for coaching Michael Crabtree to the Biletnikoff Award in 2007.

2. Scott Frost

Scott Frost Oregon Ducks
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2. Scott Frost

Scott Frost Oregon Ducks
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Frost has been one of the men to thank for Oregon University's innovative offenses the past five seasons in Eugene. He has the Ducks' offense currently ranked third nationally and has coached Marcus Mariota from being a three-star recruit into a Hesmain hopeful. Mariota's 2014 season (53 TDs, two interceptions) is one of the best we may ever see.

1. Art Briles

Art Briles Baylor Bears
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

1. Art Briles

Art Briles Baylor Bears
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

There's a lot you can say about Art Briles and why he deserves a shot in the NFL. He's an offensive mastermind, leading a top-two offense the last two seasons and bringing relevancy to the Baylor Bears football team. In 2010, he led the Bears to their first bowl game and only second winning season since 1994. Tampa Bay is in need of a quarterback, and he may be the persuasion Smith needs to take a run at RG3.

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