Todd Bowles makes Bucs’ coaching staff a family affair with notable addition among announced hires

The Bucs announced a number of new faces to their coaching staff on Thursday, and one hire stands out.

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a very different coaching staff in 2026. And while some are recognizable names in league circles, one stands out the most, and it’s not for his work around the league.

The Bucs announced seven new coaches to the staff on Thursday evening, and Todd Bowles’ son, Todd Bowles, Jr., was included among the list as a defensive assistant.

Todd Bowles hires his son as a defensive assistant among new coaching staff additions

Bowles, Jr. is coming straight into the NFL coaching ranks out of college. He spent two seasons for Rutgers (2022-23) before transferring to Long Island University for the last two seasons.

The Bucs formally announced some important positional coaches, including quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer and defensive line coach Marcus West. T.J. Yates was also announced as pass game coordinator. Ken Zampese was named senior offensive assistant/pass game specialist. Andrew Smith (assistant offensive line coach) and Luke Smith (assistant special teams coach) rounded out the additions.

Three other coaches from 2025 were promoted. Tim Atkins was promoted to safeties coach, and Rashad Johnson was bumped up to cornerbacks coach. Chad Wade was announced as the new head strength and conditioning coach.

Whitmer makes the jump from the college ranks, joining the Bucs after helping to pull off one of the great developmental jobs in recent college football history for Indiana. He was the co-OC/QB coach for the Hoosiers last season and helped Fernando Mendoza turn into the best player in college football last season on the way to winning the Heisman Trophy and the national championship. He had plenty of interest across the NFL, but he chose the Bucs earlier this month, which was a very good get for Bowles.

Yates comes with new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from Atlanta, where Yates spent the previous five seasons. Most recently, he served as the passing game coordinator for Atlanta last season. West’s previous stop was with the Buffalo Bills, where he spent the last two seasons as their defensive line coach.

There are certainly some intriguing names on the new additions. However, the real work to turn into 2026 into a bounce back season comes in March and April, when the Bucs will have to try to upgrade a defensive roster that was a primary culprit in derailing a once-promising season.

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