Bruce Arians, who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship in 2021, is stepping down as coach to take a position in the front office.
According to a report on the Bucs' website, Arians informed the team Wednesday that he is assuming a new role of senior football consultant.
Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will take over as head coach, the report read.
According to the report, Arians said the decision is not health-related, and that "winning
Super Bowl LV at our home stadium, with my mom and family in attendance, was really the last item I wanted to check off my career bucket list."
Arians took over as coach in 2019. The Bucs won their second Super Bowl in 2020-21, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium.
In a statement, Bucs owner Joel Glazer said he looked "forward to continuing to lean on his vast football knowledge and experience well into the future."
Thank you, Bruce, for all you have done for this franchise and our community. pic.twitter.com/e11Jk6cVPi
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 31, 2022
Bowles has been the team's defensive coordinator for three seasons, and prior to that, was the New York Jets' head coach from 2015-18.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 31, 2022
Arians, who will turn 70 during the upcoming season, previously served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-17 and interim head coach of the Indianapolis Colts for part of the 2012 season. His career coaching record is 80-48-1, and 31-18 in three seasons with the Bucs.
Full statement from Bruce Arians, who says: “Before you start thinking this is about my health, don't. This is the best I have felt in many years and I'm looking forward to helping this team continue winning through my new role.” pic.twitter.com/AVPX96lhyM
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 31, 2022
