5 NFL coaches on the hot seat down the stretch of 2017 season
By Peter Panacy
![GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 12: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns looks to the scoreboard in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 12, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 12: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns looks to the scoreboard in the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 12, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/93317f92ec4a6b8e564749337cdc51c5d0062135e79beaa45151b93a3401b303.jpg)
No. 3: Dirk Koetter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2017 Record: 2-5, Fourth in NFC South
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were supposed to be the darlings of the NFC in 2017.
A year removed from a promising 9-7 season under then-first-year head coach Dirk Koetter, the Bucs seemingly had everything in place for a serious playoff push this season — a talented developing quarterback, dynamic wide receivers, a top tight end prospect and a young defense.
Problem is, though, none of it has come together.
Nine weeks into the season, the Buccaneers find themselves at 2-5 and staring up at everyone else within the NFC South.
Koetter, an offensive-minded coach, was promoted due to his work with quarterback Jameis Winston. Even after the additions of wide receiver DeSean Jackson and tight end O.J. Howard, though, Winston’s completion percentage is only 61.8 — good for 20th in the NFL.
And while Tampa Bay is gaining yards this season, the offense isn’t finding the end zone, ranking 19th with just 148 points scored.
There’s far too much talent on the offensive side of the ball to make Koetter feel safe. This isn’t a rebuild, and Koetter might be the perfect example of a coordinator-turned head coach, who was probably better off staying a coordinator.