Buccaneers Hire Todd Bowles Jr. and Other New Coaches

Tampa Bay's coaching staff undergoes changes ahead of the new season.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made several additions to their coaching staff, including hiring Todd Bowles Jr., the son of head coach Todd Bowles, as a defensive assistant. Other new hires include T.J. Yates as pass game coordinator, Ken Zampese as senior offensive assistant/pass game specialist, Chandler Whitmer as quarterbacks coach, and Andrew Mitchell as assistant offensive line coach. The team also promoted several coaches to new roles.

Why it matters

The Buccaneers are looking to bounce back after failing to make the playoffs last season. These coaching changes are part of an effort to improve the team's performance on both offense and defense. The addition of Todd Bowles Jr. to the staff is particularly notable, as it represents a father-son coaching duo.

The details

The Buccaneers have made several changes to their coaching staff, including hiring T.J. Yates as pass game coordinator, Ken Zampese as senior offensive assistant/pass game specialist, Chandler Whitmer as quarterbacks coach, and Andrew Mitchell as assistant offensive line coach. The team also promoted Tim Atkins to safeties coach, Rashad Johnson to cornerbacks coach, and Chad Wade to head strength and conditioning coach. Additionally, they hired Marcus West as defensive line coach and Luke Smith as assistant special teams coach. The most notable hire is Todd Bowles Jr., the son of head coach Todd Bowles, who will serve as a defensive assistant.

  • The coaching changes were announced on February 12, 2026.

The players

Todd Bowles Jr.

The son of Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, who has been hired as a defensive assistant.

T.J. Yates

The new pass game coordinator for the Buccaneers.

Ken Zampese

The new senior offensive assistant/pass game specialist for the Buccaneers.

Chandler Whitmer

The new quarterbacks coach for the Buccaneers.

Andrew Mitchell

The new assistant offensive line coach for the Buccaneers.

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What they’re saying

“'Bucs hired T.J. Yates as pass game coordinator, Ken Zampese as senior offensive assistant/pass game specialist, Chandler Whitmer as quarterbacks coach and Andrew Mitchell as assistant offensive line coach. Bucs also promoted Tim Atkins to safeties coach, Rashad Johnson to cornerbacks coach and Chad Wade to head strength and conditioning coach. They also hired Marcus West as defensive line coach, Todd Bowles Jr. as defensive assistant and Luke Smith as assistant special teams coach.'”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter (ESPN)

What’s next

The Buccaneers will look to these new coaches to help improve the team's performance on both offense and defense as they aim to bounce back from missing the playoffs last season.

The takeaway

The Buccaneers are making significant changes to their coaching staff, including the addition of Todd Bowles Jr., the son of the head coach, as a defensive assistant. These moves are part of an effort to revamp the team and return to the playoffs after a disappointing season.