Tampa Bay Buccaneers hiring Charlie Strong as new defensive line coach

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hiring Charlie Strong as their new defensive line coach, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Strong is replacing Kacy Rodgers, who left for the same role with the Detroit Lions.

Strong last served as a defensive analyst at Alabama during the 2023 season. The 64-year-old, who began his coaching career in 1983, brings a wealth of experience to Tampa Bay’s coaching staff. Strong notably served as head coach at Louisville (2010-13), Texas (2014-16) and USF (2017-19).

Strong was most successful with the Cardinals, going 37-15 and winning the Sugar Bowl in 2012. After his four-year stint at Louisville, Strong replaced the retiring Mack Brown at Texas. Strong failed to post a winning season in Austin, fired in November 2016 with a 16-21 record.

Charlie Strong back to Tampa as assistant on Buccaneers’ coaching staff

His last stop as a head coach led him to Tampa, where he guided the Bulls to a 21-16 mark in three seasons. USF went 10-2 in his first season at the helm before going 6-7 and 4-8 in his final two seasons. Strong was fired after the 2019 season. He was on Urban Meyer‘s coaching staff with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 and Mario Cristobal‘s at Miami in 2022.

Strong now heads back to Tampa, where he will coach one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. Vita Vea has two Pro Bowls on his resume, Calijah Kancey has tallied 11.5 sacks in his first two seasons in the league, while Logan Hall compiled a career-high 5.5 sacks in 2024.

The Buccaneers have a new-look coaching staff in 2025 under head coach Todd Bowles. With Liam Coen taking the head coaching job with the Jaguars, passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard has been promoted to offensive coordinator. Former Oregon State receivers coach and passing game coordinator Kefense Hynson is Tampa Bay’s new passing game coordinator.