Buccaneers promoting OC Dirk Koetter to head coach

– The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be hiring current offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter as head coach in 2016, after the surprise firing of head coach Lovie Smith.

Dirk Koetter served as the team’s offensive coordinator a year ago.

After collecting just two wins in Smith’s first season, the Buccaneers tripled that total in 2015 and were in playoff contention in early December, holding a 6-6 record.

A deal for Koetter should be finalized “soon“, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Koetter joined the Tampa Bay coaching staff this past year and he will fill the role left by former head coach Lovie Smith.

Koetter also interviewed with the 49ers, who earlier Thursday hired Chip Kelly.

He worked his way up the collegiate football ladder as an offensive coordinator at various schools, including Boston College and OR, before his first head coaching job at Boise State (1998-2000), where he led the Broncos to two bowl game appearances and first place Big West Conference finishes. Smith finished with an 8-24 record, including 6-10 this season. He interviewed with general manager Jason Licht and ownership Tuesday. Historically the best offense we’ve had here in Tampa Bay.

Koetter then became the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator from 2012-14 after the Jaguars failed to replicate that success from his first year. The Bucs have been a defensive-minded organization whenever they’ve been successful, though that’s going to change with Koetter in charge and Jameis Winston running a very promising offense.