A breath of fresh air. Energetic.

Those are some of the terms used to describe first year head coach, Dirk Koetter. After two years of a quiet Lovie Smith, Koetter’s energy in press conferences has provided that breath of fresh air for fans and the team itself.

Last season, I would rather watch Koetter’s press conferences due to the enjoyment of listening to a coach who says it like it is and also made himself fun to listen to. So when he was promoted to head coach, I was excited due to the fact that I would get to listen to those press conferences more often (as an offensive coordinator, Koetter only spoke once per week in the regular season).

His impact can also be seen on the team. Koetter’s energetic personality has rubbed off on his players. Last season, as an offensive coordinator where only the players on offense experienced this energy, the offense became the best in franchise history. Now the defense can take in this energy and potentially gain the same success the offense achieved last year.

Another way Koetter has impacted the team is the staff he constructed during this past offseason. Koetter brought in Mike Smith as his defensive coordinator. Smith was in the running for head coaching jobs in the offseason, so for Koetter to bring him in on defense is impressive. Koetter also brought in Jay Hayes as the defensive line coach, luring him away from the Cincinnati Bengals. In Cincinnati, Hayes groomed Geno Atkins, who has been to four pro bowls in his career.

If the staff Koetter put together can replicate previous success, then the Buccaneers defense will be vastly improved.

When Koetter was announced to be head coach, he was given all the clear to do whatever he wanted to do regarding play calling on the offensive side of the ball, were as he was limited under Lovie Smith. This means Koetter, who has already seen to be a different style of coach compared to Lovie Smith, may play more risky than the conservative Smith.