Tag: Byron Leftwich

Jan 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense coordinator Byron Leftwich against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Report: Byron Leftwich joining Colorado coaching staff

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL quarterback and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is joining the coaching staff under Deion Sanders at Colorado, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported Wednesday.

The reports come a day after Leftwich was spotted at practice holding a clipboard and wearing Colorado football gear. Sanders said on Monday Colorado would make “a couple more huge moves” this week but has not confirmed Leftwich’s hiring.

It’s unclear what Leftwich’s role will be on Sanders’ staff.

Leftwich interviewed with the New England Patriots for their head coaching post in January.

Leftwich, 45, most recently worked as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019-22, a stint that included a Super Bowl win in the 2020 season.

Leftwich was fired by Bucs head coach Todd Bowles after the 2022 season, which saw Tampa Bay slip from the top 3 in scoring the previous three seasons to No. 15 in yards and No. 25 in points in 2022.

A quarterback and first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2003 NFL Draft, Leftwich had a 24-26 record with 10,532 passing yards and 58 touchdowns in 60 games with the Jaguars (2003-06), Atlanta Falcons (2007), Bucs (2009) and Steelers (2008, 2010, 2012).

He also worked in various roles including the interim offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals from 2016-2018.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense coordinator Byron Leftwich against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images

Report: Patriots interviewing Byron Leftwich

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots are interviewing Byron Leftwich for their head coaching vacancy on Tuesday, The Athletic reported.

The Patriots fired Jerod Mayo on Sunday after compiling a 4-13 record in his first season in Foxborough.

Leftwich, 44, most recently worked as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019-22, a stint that included a Super Bowl win in the 2020 season.

Leftwich was fired by Bucs head coach Todd Bowles after the 2022 season, which saw Tampa Bay slip from the top 3 in scoring the previous three seasons to No. 15 in yards and No. 25 in points in 2022.

A quarterback and first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2003 NFL Draft, Leftwich had a 24-26 record with 10,532 passing yards and 58 touchdowns in 60 games with the Jaguars (2003-06), Atlanta Falcons (2007), Bucs (2009) and Steelers (2008, 2010, 2012).

He was also the interim offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.

Leftwich told The Athletic that he’s ready to get back into coaching.

“There’s something missing. … I really do feel as though something’s not there, and I’ve got to get back to it,” he said. “I’m really into helping other players. I want to help them to play the best. I love to teach.

“Just give me the opportunity. Bring me in and see. Communicate with me, see if I’m the right type of leader you want. Do your homework. See if I can lead men. … See if I know my X’s and O’s. See if I know people. See if I know what needs to be done to succeed at the job.”

New England’s 23-16 win over Buffalo in Sunday’s season finale secured the No. 4 overall selection in April’s NFL draft, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft seems to be moving quickly to get a new head coach in place.

Kraft said Monday that the front office will remain intact and that the coaching search will be headed by Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith.

Former Tennessee Titans coach and longtime Patriots player Mike Vrabel is also reportedly expected to interview along with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Notre Dame, Byron Leftwich talk OC job

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and Notre Dame have engaged in talks about the team’s vacant offensive coordinator position, 247Sports reported.

Leftwich reached out to Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman about the opening last week and is a serious candidate for the job, per the report.

The role became vacant when Tommy Rees accepted the OC role at Alabama.

Leftwich was fired by the Bucs last month amid a coaching staff overhaul by head coach Todd Bowles. Leftwich was put in place by former head coach Bruce Arians in 2019 and took over play-calling duties in 2021 as part of a heavy collaboration with quarterback Tom Brady.

Brady has since retired.

The Irish ranked No. 60 in the FBS in total offense in 2022 with 396.2 yards per game.

–Field Level Media

Nov 28, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Byron Leftwich to remove himself as candidate in Jacksonville

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is expected to remove his name from consideration to be the next head coach in Jacksonville, the Tampa Bay Times reported Thursday.

Leftwich reportedly was one of three finalists to replace Urban Meyer, who was fired after posting a 2-11 record and committing a series of off-field missteps.

However, two of those finalists — Matt Eberflus and Nathaniel Hackett — accepted other offers last week. That left Leftwich as the leading candidate.

However, Leftwich reportedly had misgivings about working with current Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, with Pro Football Talk reporting that Leftwich gave the organization an ultimatum – him or Baalke.

Now the leading candidates for the Jacksonville job are former Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia and former Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson, who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles, per the Times report.

The Jaguars also reportedly met with longtime Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman in person Monday about a “high-level front-office position.” Spielman, 59, was fired at the end of the 2021 season.

–Field Level Media