clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers hire Ben McDaniels as 'offensive assistant' - likely quarterbacks coach

According to the official website of the Columbia Lions, Ben McDaniels has left his job as the offensive coordinator for the Columbia Lions to become an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Presumably, Ben McDaniels will be the team's new quarterbacks coach, as that's a position McDaniels has filled in the NFL before. This was believed to be the final major position to still be open on the Bucs coaching staff, and this likely means the Bucs will announce their full coaching staff fairly soon.

McDaniels is best known as New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels brother, and got his start in the NFL thanks to his more experienced brother. The younger brother has served as a quarterbacks coach for one season in the NFL, with most of his experience coming as a high school coach. His track record isn't particularly impressive, either, as it consists mostly of coaching Kyle Orton to a good but not great season - and it's obviously unclear to what extent that performance was the result of Josh McDaniels' offense, rather than Ben McDaniels' coaching.

Ben McDaniels is the least experienced among the main assistants on the staff, and he will work under a fairly young and inexperienced offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan. Sullivan himself was a quarterbacks coach for the past two season, so he should at least have some insight and get into some hands-on coaching. Jimmy Raye II is on the staff as a senior offensive assistant, and he could help fill in where needed.

Still, if McDaniels is indeed the Bucs' new quarterbacks coach, the Bucs are taking a risk with such a young and inexperienced coach at an important position. The Bucs must get Josh Freeman back on track after a subpar 2011 season, and quality coaching will be key. McDaniels could be a very good coach - but at this point he lacks experience.

In addition, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired Andrew Janocko as an offensive assistant according to Pittsburgh-area newspaper The Progress (hat tip to JoeBucsFan). Janocko was a graduate assistant at Rutgers University under new Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano. While Rutgers offered to retain Janocko as an offensive assistant, he preferred to follow his old head coach to Tampa Bay. Janocko told The Progress that he will break down film and work with the receivers and quarterbacks, though he won't be doing much hands-on coaching. Janocko is just 23 years old, but his role on the coaching staff is not likely to be significant.