Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Source: Buccaneers to hire Dirk Koetter to replace Lovie Smith

Published Jan. 14, 2016 6:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

NFL head-coaching vacancies are filling up fast.

On the same day that the San Francisco 49ers hired Chip Kelly, the New York Giants settled on Ben McAdoo and the Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly going with Doug Pederson, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have apparently made their final decision as well.

A source confirmed to FS1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo on Thursday that the Bucs plan to elevate offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to head coach to replace Lovie Smith, who was fired on Jan. 6 after two seasons at the helm. Koetter just wrapped his first season with the team.

A longtime assistant coach, Koetter has been a head coach in the NFL. He has had stints in college as he was the head coach for Boise State and Arizona State. Known for his innovative approach, Koetter has spent time as an offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.