Bruce Arians is no longer the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and says Tom Brady's return made him confident it was "time to pass the torch."
AP Photo/Don Montague
Bruce Arians is hanging up his headset.
In an interview with the LA Times and NBC Sports' Peter King, followed by a statement on Wednesday, Arians announced that he would be stepping down as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and taking a role in the team's front office.
Arians will be succeeded by Todd Bowles, who had served as the team's defensive coordinator until his sudden promotion.
"I have spent most of the last 50 years of my life on the sidelines as a football coach in one form or another. Today, I have made the decision to move from the sidelines into another role with the Buccaneers front office, assisting [general manager] Jason Licht and his staff," Arians' statement began.
Arians, a cancer survivor who turns 70 this year, said that the move was not health-related, assuring fans that, "This is the best I have felt in many years and I'm looking forward to helping this team continue winning through my new role."
Given the timing of Arians' departure, which comes just weeks after Tom Brady's decision to un-retire and return to the Buccaneers for another season, some speculated that there was trouble between the star quarterback and head coach.
In his statement, Arians said that Brady's return was a factor in his decision to leave, but not because he was ousted.
Instead, Brady's return assured Arians that he would be leaving his team and successors in the best possible position to succeed without him.
"I wanted to ensure when I walked away that Todd Bowles would have the best opportunity to succeed," Arians wrote. "Tom's decision to come back, along with Jason and his staff doing another great job of keeping the core of this team intact during free agency, confirmed for me that it was the right time to pass the torch to Todd."
Arians statement likely won't silence those that believe Brady's return to the Buccaneers was contingent on his departure. Still, according to Arians, it was a decision made to help the organization transition at the right moment for both himself and the Buccaneers.
Brady shared a farewell message to Arians on Instagram.
"Thank you, BA for all that you have done for me and our team," Brady wrote. "You are an incredible man and coach, and it was a privilege to play for you. You are a true NFL legend and pioneer for all the work you have done to make the league more diverse and inclusive."
Arians retires from coaching with three Super Bowl rings to his name, two as an assistant and one as head coach of the 2020 Buccaneers.
Bowles takes over the top job in Tampa Bay with high expectations, as the Buccaneers are currently the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVII.
