On a conference call with the Tampa Bay media on Tuesday, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians stated that he’ll take all necessary precautions against COVID-19 on the sideline this season, but won’t coach from a box in the stadium.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians – Photo by the Buccaneers

“No,” Arians said, laughing. “There’s no chance of me coaching from a box. I’ll have my mask and shield on, I won’t be able to spit on them (players, when yelling) anyway.”

Arians, who has been diagnosed with different types of cancer three times over the past 13 years, never considered opting out of the 2020 season despite the added risk of coronavirus.

“There was never a doubt that I was gonna coach, especially once I’d seen the protocols and everything that has taken place,” Arians said. “Whether it’s Tom or whoever the quarterback would be, I’m going to get excited. I really like our ball club, knock on wood, we can stay healthy this year and do the things we want to do. We want to get in the playoffs, so having Tom adds to the excitement, obviously, but I would have been all in either way.

“I’m very comfortable with our protocols. Now that I’ve gotten used to the protocols we’ve had a week of staff meetings where we went through all the protocols, how to teach with a mask on and all the things we’re going to do differently. I’m very, very comfortable with it. As far as on the field, I’ll maintain a mask and probably a shield just for personal use and coach like I’ve always coached.”