Bucs head coach Todd Bowles has faced criticism in his two years leading the team. With a 17-17 record, two division championships, and a 1-2 postseason record, Bowles has experienced both highs and lows. But which coach hasn’t faced challenges? How does Bowles compare to his peers in the league?
In a recent CBS Sports article by Cody Benjamin, all 32 coaches in the league were ranked. Todd Bowles landed at number 22 overall in the “Accomplished, with questions” category. Here’s what was said:
Todd Bowles Gets A Tough Ranking
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today
“Bowles, who also went 2-1 as the Miami Dolphins’ interim in 2011, isn’t entirely dissimilar from his NFC South counterpart Dennis Allen in that his physical defense tends to mask more conservative game-management calls for a borderline wild-card contender. Still, in the last four years, he’s won a Super Bowl ring and led a playoff win of his own, giving him a touch more authority.”
Among coaches with at least one full season with their current team, only Dennis Allen, Robert Saleh, Jonathan Gannon, and Matt Eberflus ranked lower than Bowles. With a ranking of 22, Bowles has the lowest ranking among coaches whose teams made the postseason last year.
While Bowles has faced criticism for conservative game management, it’s his coaching tactics’ inconsistencies that have been a challenge. He has shown moments of both caution and aggressiveness throughout his coaching seasons.
Examining Bowles’ Coaching Seasons
Timeouts and clock management remain a puzzle for Bowles. Throughout the season, the Bucs seldom called timeouts in the first half, creating a recurring storyline. There was also a critical timeout error in a playoff game against the Lions.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today
Reflecting on Bowles’ first two seasons with the Bucs, some may see negatives like an 8-9 record with Tom Brady. Others may note positives like improvements in the next season with different personnel. Despite challenges, Bowles is respected for his defensive planning and player relationships.
Bowles’ future is uncertain, with room for improvement and higher rankings if he can lead the Bucs to more success in the upcoming seasons.
