Buccaneers coach sends blunt message to his players about fixing a core problem that haunted them in 2025
The Buccaneers brought in longtime special teams coach Danny Smith to turn around a unit that had plenty of flaws. He recently sent out a simple, yet effective, message that should have everyone looking in the mirror.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers special teams unit wasn’t just bad in 2025 – it cost them football games on a few occasions.
That’s why the Buccaneers brought in Danny Smith, who was with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2013-2025. Smith is one of the more well-respected special teams coaches in the NFL and his track record speaks for itself.
Special teams touchdowns under Danny Smith from 2013-2025
Danny Smith stabilized the Steelers special teams for over a decade and the results show why. Below are both return touchdowns scored and allowed, plus their ranks among the rest of the NFL, per Stathead.
- Total return touchdowns: 6 (t-15th)
- Kick return touchdowns: 1 (t-23rd)
- Punt return touchdowns: 5 (t-5th)
- Total return touchdowns allowed: 2 (second-fewest)
- Kick return TDs allowed: 1 (second-fewest)
- Punt return TDs allowed: 1 (second-fewest)
Smith knows what he’s taking on, too. He made that very clear when spoke with reporters on Tuesday.
“We have to be better, in one sentence, really. We have to be better,” Smith told reporters when asked about his observations from the 2025 unit. “Our field position has to be better for the offense and a defense – it is our job. We have to be a factor of the outcome of the game in a positive way.
“You know, places I’ve been, we’ve won games on special teams and I expect to do so here.”
Smith’s message is the gut check the Buccaneers special teams needs
I mean, it’s no mystery to the players. They know what last year entailed. At the same time, however, hearing it come from the top coach still holds a lot of weight and is another much-needed gut check.
Smith’s personality will play a huge role in turning things around, too. The man lives and breathes football both on the special teams side of things and in overall fashion. That’s obvious, too, as he’s approaching his 73rd birthday in November.
“I don’t know anything but [football],” said Smith. “I need competition and preparation. I need it. I need it in my life. I need competition and preparation, and that’s why I do it. And I love it. And I love this game.”
That kind of passion, along with the years of experience and knowledge, can (and likely will) turn the Buccaneers special teams unit around. And if that happens, it’s another step toward getting back to the playoffs.