Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Gerald McCoy on Dirk Koetter: Everyone feels like we got the right guy

Published Jan. 18, 2016 11:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their man in head coach Dirk Koetter. It took a bit longer than some may have expected, but for the Buccaneers players, they apparently couldn't be much happier with who their new coach is.

While the firing of Lovie Smith came with some scrutiny, specifically from the players on the team, one of the leaders in defensive tackle Gerald McCoy stepped up and spoke out about the excitement behind the promotion of Koetter.

Via Eric Horchy of Pewter Report:

“I think just from the chatter I’ve heard from my teammates that everybody’s excited and they feel like we got the right guy. If we were going to replace Coach Smith we picked the right person. He won’t have to worry about what’s going on internally. He definitely will have support from us.”

“I heard the question, ‘Is he a player’s coach?’ He said ask the players, I’ll answer: Yes he is. Great person overall, more than just being a great coach. So I’m excited for the future and it’s going to be fun.

“You don’t ever have to wonder or question with Coach Koetter; he says exactly how he’s feeling whether you like it or not,” McCoy added. “That’s what’s necessary. This is the National Football League. We’re grown men, we’re professionals, you’ve got to have tough skin. If he tells you something you don’t like, I don’t think he’s telling you because he doesn’t like you, he’s telling you because it’s necessary to help us win. That’s going to be huge for us.”

So not only is Koetter a "football coach," as he put it, but he's apparently also a player's coach as well, if you ask McCoy. It'll be interesting to see what the Buccaneers are able to do in year one under their new coach, but first there's still quite a bit of work for Koetter and the higher-ups to do this offseason.

Jeff Smith writes about the NFL for FOX Sports. You can find him on Twitter @JSM8ith.