The Bucs announced on Wednesday that they have finished a virtual interview with Dan Pitcher for their offensive coordinator vacancy. With Mike McDaniel taking the Chargers offensive coordinator job, Pitcher becomes that much more of an important piece for the Bucs as Zac Robinson and Pticher are likely the top two candidates for Tampa Bay.

Does Pitcher’s Previous Stop Help Bucs?

Pitcher joined the Bengals in 2016 as an offensive assistant. He served in that role through 2018, then became the team’s assistant quarterback coach in 2019. He continued to climb up the ranks in 2020, becoming the Bengals’ quarterbacks coach at a time when the team had just spent the No. 1 overall pick on LSU’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Joe Burrow.

He worked alongside Burrow as his quarterbacks coach from 2020-2023. In 2021, Pitcher helped Burrow to a Comeback Player of the Year season in which he completed 70.4% of his passes for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. The Bengals would go on to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl that year before losing to the Rams.

Bucs OC Dan Pitcher – Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow then had his first Pro Bowl season in 2022 and then, following the 2023 season, Pitcher received plenty of interest for opportunities elsewhere. The Bucs, searching for a replacement after firing Byron Leftwich, first interviewed Pitcher virtually before bringing him in for an in-person interview.

There was real interest in Pitcher on Tampa Bay’s part, but that offensive coordinator search happened at a time when the team wasn’t sure who its quarterback would be. Tom Brady had just retired and the only quarterback on the roster was Kyle Trask. That, combined with uncertainty surrounding Todd Bowles’ job security after an 8-9 season, made for a difficult search.

Ultimately, Pitcher chose to stay with Zac Taylor, Joe Burrow and the Bengals. And that decision quickly paid off for him, as he was soon promoted to offensive coordinator when Brian Callahan left to become the Titans’ new head coach that same offseason.

Pitcher has been the Bengals offensive coordinator for the last three seasons, though Taylor has continued to call plays. Part of the appeal of coming to the Bucs would be the ability to call plays and operate the offense while Todd Bowles runs the defensive side.

Its not a secret that the Bucs have been looking for an experienced play caller. That’s why McDaniel and Todd Monken were their first two options, followed by Robinson, who spent the last two years coaching the Falcons.

Dan Pitcher – Photo by: USA Today

Pitcher doesn’t have the play-calling experience that these other candidates have. But the Bucs liked Pitcher when they interviewed him in 2023, and with his time working under Taylor and with Burrow in Cincinnati, he’s a young and intriguing up-and-comer. If Tampa Bay wants to go that route with its coordinator search, Pitcher could certainly be high on the list of options.

The 2026 season has been busy for the Bucs and that won’t stop until they hire a new offensive coordinator.