Dolphins ask to interview Dirk Koetter as Bucs target him for head coaching job

The Miami Dolphins put in a request with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to interview offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for their head coaching position, according to Albert Breer  of NFL Network. The Bucs can't deny the request, but they can hire him as their head coach before he leaves for the Dolphins -- and that appears to be their plan.

Koetter's name has also been mentioned in connection with the Eagles, and according to Rick Stroud the Bucs made the decision to fire Lovie Smith last night because the Dolphins became very interested in Koetter. If the Dolphins put in a request to interview Koetter last night, the Bucs firing Lovie Smith at 10 p.m. as a reaction to that request would make a lot of sense.

It would also explain why the Glazers fired Lovie Smith over the phone, not exactly a great way to treat any head coach, let alone a veteran one.