While the Bucs search for their own new offensive coordinator after the departure of Liam Coen, one of their assistants is now interviewing for a vacant offensive coordinator position elsewhere. Quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis has interviewed for the Texans’ coordinator job, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday afternoon.

Bucs QBs coach Thad Lewis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Lewis has been with the Bucs since 2020, when he was brought in by former head coach Bruce Arians as an intern. He immediately impressed Arians and his staff, so much so that he was elevated to assistant wide receivers coach in May of 2021.

From there, the former Duke and eventual NFL backup quarterback became Tampa Bay’s quarterbacks coach on Dave Canales’ offensive coaching staff in 2023 before being retained and holding the same position under Liam Coen in 2024.

Lewis got an interview for the Bucs’ offensive coordinator job last January before Coen ultimately took over for Canales, who left after one season to join the Panthers as their head coach.

As Rapoport reported, Lewis has received several interview requests, but the one from the Texans is the first one he has taken. Houston fired Bobby Slowik last week and is looking to find a way to turn things back around for C.J. Stroud after his numbers dipped down in his second season compared to his phenomenal rookie campaign in 2023.

Bucs Have Already Lost Two Assistant Coaches This Offseason

Thad Lewis isn’t the first Bucs assistant to receive interest from another team this offseason. In fact, he’s the fourth.

Obviously, offensive coordinator Liam Coen left to become the Jaguars’ head coach, while co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers left to join the Lions as their run game coordinator and defensive line coach.

Tampa Bay’s other co-defensive coordinator (and linebackers coach) Larry Foote also received interest, as he interviewed for the Lions’ open defensive coordinator job.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and QBs coach Thad Lewis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Now, it’s Lewis who has an interview elsewhere. Whether he gets the job or not, Todd Bowles’ coaching staff is set to look different in 2024. With Coen and Rodgers already gone, there will be at least two new coaches brought on board, and there’s no guarantee that whoever the Bucs hire to replace Coen as their offensive coordinator will retain Lewis.

Bowles has spoken highly of Lewis in the past, and the 37-year-old offensive assistant is well-thought-of by the longtime defensive mastermind.

“Well, he was a heck of a college quarterback,” Bowles said last year. “He understood the game coming in. When Bruce [Arians] hired him as an intern, he was a very bright guy in the office – in early, out late. He has a great understanding of quarterback play and he has a lot of modern-day technique and scheme that he can help fit to a quarterback.

“He is very quarterback friendly. I think the world of Thad. I think he will be an offensive coordinator in light [speed] from now. I think it’s a good move for him and I am excited to see it.”

Lewis actually spent the latter stages of the 2014 season with the Texans, signing with them in November after an injury to starting quarterback Ryan Mallett. But while the opportunity to interview with one of his former teams and set up a potential homecoming of sorts may have intrigued him about this interview request, the likelier pull is the opportunity to work with a good young quarterback in 2023 No. 2 overall pick C.J. Stroud, who is only 23 and won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023.