Tampa Bay Bucs National Coaching Academy: What You Need To Know
This week, 25 passionate football coaches from around the globe have spent the week in Tampa learning from the Buccaneers NFL staff members. Overall, the inaugural Buccaneers Coaching Academy saw over 1,500 enthusiastic applicants.
The team announced this innovative program this past October. To coincide with rookie minicamp, the Bucs narrowed down the aspiring coaches to 25 finalists. They were then brought in, mixing the academy experience with rookie camps. Ultimately, five of these coaches will be brought back for July’s training camp.
“The franchise already known as the model for inclusive hiring is launching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Academy, open to persons with three or more years of coaching or work experience in a football program at the high school, college or semi-professional league level, irrespective of background or status,” the Tampa Bay Times said back in October, explaining the initiative.
When detailing the “why” behind creating such an academy, head coach Todd Bowles summed it up nicely. In a quote shared by the Tampa Bay Times, Bowles said, “The academy helps those people who normally wouldn’t have those contacts or access, no matter what level of experience you’re on, to get experience as an NFL coach and to learn what goes on in the NFL and what it takes, and for coaches to get valuable experience to see who knows what.”
What To Know About The 25 Finalists At The Bucs National Coaching Academy
The group includes five females and 20 males, all working to claim one of those training camp invitations. Furthermore, there’s a reason why this is called a national coaching academy. Finalists include coaches from Brazil, Germany, and Denmark. In fact, only one coach is actually from Florida. The rest are from solid programs nationwide in popular football markets such as Austin, Texas, Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee.
“Of the 25 selected, 15 currently occupy roles in the college ranks, while six work at the high school level and three hold coaching positions abroad,” the Bucs said, further detailing that each of the coaches brought in will receive a scholarship to cover all applicable costs for the week.
They will be learning from some of the best coaches and front-office staff in the history of the NFL. In addition to current coach Bowles, others spending time with the academy guests include the team’s general manager Jason Licht, and Pro Bowler, Ronde Barber. In addition, Super Bowl-winning coaches Bruce Arians and Tony Dungy have been in attendance. These individuals and the key members of the Bucs’ coaching staff will determine which five prospects will join them later this summer.
As a youth football coach, this is simply one of the coolest things I’ve seen an NFL team spearhead. Coaching on any level is a tough gig. It entails a lot of long hours and moving pieces, including literally having to move a lot if coaching football is your profession. Still, the impact you can have on the lives of your players is incredibly rewarding. It’s very inspiring to see an admirable organization like the Bucs aim to give an aspiring coach the opportunity of a lifetime.
