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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired Todd Monken as their offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach, the team announced in a surprise move. While Monken has been named the offensive coordinator, head coach Dirk Koetter will retain playcalling responsibilities and will be heavily involved in the offensive game plans.
Monken will replace Andrew Hayes-Stoker, who was the team's wide receivers coach the past two years. Hayes-Stoker is the only offensive position coach Koetter will let go, following his promotion to head coach earlier this month.
Monken was Southern Mississipi's head coach the past three seasons, turning a team that went 0-12 in 2012 into a 9-5 team this past season. In 2015, the Southern Miss offense ranked 13th in points per game nationally, 12th in passing yards per game, and 12th in total yards per game. While his resume looks impressive, the only star recever he's really coached in his career are Dwayne Bowe at LSU and Justin Blackmon at Oklahoma State.
Monken worked under Koetter in Jacksonville from 2007 to 2010, when Monken was the receivers coach and Koetter the offensive coordinator for the Jaguars.
"I am very excited to add a coach with the type of experience and tenacity that Todd brings," Koetter said. "I have always been impressed with his approach to the game as well as his ability to teach concepts and get the best out of his players. During his more than 25-year coaching career, he has made a name for himself as a very successful offensive coordinator and head coach on the collegiate level. Todd also happens to be a terrific receivers coach with a proven track record of helping his players reach their true potential. We are fortunate to have him join our staff."
It's interesting that the Bucs passed over in-house coordinator options in quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian, tight ends coach Jon Embree and offensive line coach George Warhop. But Monken has an impressive resume and a lot of experience, which fits the Bucs' approach to position coaches this offseason.