Thirteen.

Thirteen different defensive coaches since Gerald McCoy came into the NFL as a rookie in 2010.

The fact McCoy has made six Pro Bowls and been named a three-time All-Pro is mind boggling considering all of the shuffling of men wearing whistles around their neck, barking orders at the former Sooner standout.

But the newest one, Brentson Buckner, has McCoy excited about the possibilities.

Bucs DT Gerald McCoy – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“The thing I like about Buck is he played the game,” McCoy said. “He played at a high level. I think Coach Buck played in three Super Bowls. That’s some experience there and that’s playing at a high level. You’re not playing your regular level of playing like in the regular season. If you’re going to the Super Bowl, you are going all the way, and he did it three times. So he knows what it takes to get there, especially at our position as a D-lineman, and I just love his energy.”

McCoy went onto to explain an example of what Buckner brings that McCoy likes.

“He just keeps it as real as it gets,” McCoy said from the podium at One Buc Place on Tuesday. “There was a day in Phase Two where he challenged me. It was all positive. He was talking to me and talking to me and chattering at me in my ear just to push me because there is no vet. There is no Pro Bowl. Everybody is on the same plane and that’s what I love about him. He doesn’t care about who you are or what you’ve done. He has been brought here for a job and that is what he is going to do. I love that about him. He just keeps it real. He doesn’t care how you feel. He is going to tell you how it is, he is going to coach you and it’s onto the next. If you don’t like it, you shrug, ‘Ok, whatever.’ I am here to do a job and I am going to do it. I love that about Buck.”

Brentson Buckner – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

One thing Buckner said last week when talking about McCoy was, he doesn’t want Superman he wants Super Friends. That resonated with McCoy.

“No, I try to do my job to the best of my ability and that’s all I’ve ever tried to do,” McCoy said. “I think the point he is trying to make is he doesn’t want me to try to do too much. He wants me to do my job to the best of my ability and hold everybody accountable to doing their job. Don’t try to do his job, don’t try to do his job, don’t try and do this and go outside the defense because you feel like you have to do more. Just be myself and play the game the way it’s supposed to be played, bring energy every day and that’s it. That’s what he is talking about and when you do that, everybody follows your lead and then like I said, you start stacking those good days.”

The Bucs and McCoy are hoping Buckner is the long term answer to the revolving door of defensive coaches. And if he is, the Bucs could very well finally overcome their long playoff drought.