Dirk Koetter

American football coach (born 1959)

Dirk Koetter
Koetter with the Falcons in 2013
Koetter in 2013
Current position
TitleOffensive coordinator
TeamBoise State
ConferenceMountain West
Biographical details
Born (1959-02-05) February 5, 1959 (age 65)
Pocatello, Idaho, U.S.
Alma materIdaho State University
Playing career
1977–1981Idaho State
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1983–1984Highland (ID)
1985San Francisco State (OC)
1986–1988UTEP (OC)
1989–1993Missouri (OC)
1994–1995Boston College (OC)
1996–1997Oregon (OC)
1998–2000Boise State
2001–2006Arizona State
2007–2011Jacksonville Jaguars (OC)
2012–2014Atlanta Falcons (OC)
2015Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OC)
2016–2018Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2019–2020Atlanta Falcons (OC)
2022Boise State (Offensive analyst)
2022Boise State (Interim OC)
2024–presentBoise State (OC)
Head coaching record
Overall70–46
Bowls4–2
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
As a player

Dirk Jeffrey Koetter (/ˈkʌtər/ KUT-ər;[1] born February 5, 1959) is an American football coach who is currently the offensive coordinator at Boise State University. He was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL) from 2016 to 2018 and was the head coach at Boise State from 1998 to 2000 and at Arizona State University from 2001 to 2006, compiling a career college football record of 66–44 (.600). Koetter also served as the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Buccaneers.

Early years

Born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, Koetter is the son of Jim Koetter, a German-American football coach. A quarterback, Koetter graduated from Highland High School in 1977 and stayed in town to play college football at Idaho State University under new head coach Bud Hake.[2][3]

As a fifth-year senior in 1981, Koetter backed up Mike Machurek at quarterback;[4][5] the Bengals went 12–1 and won the national championship in Division I-AA under second-year head coach Dave Kragthorpe. Koetter earned a bachelor's degree at ISU in 1981 and a master's in athletic administration in 1982.

Coaching career

High school and college coaching

Koetter was the head coach back at Highland High School for two seasons (1983, 1984), then became a full-time college assistant coach in 1985 as the offensive coordinator at San Francisco State University. After his time at San Francisco State, Koetter coached at UTEP (1986–1988), Missouri (1989–93), Boston College (1994–95), and Oregon (1996–97).

Koetter was the head coach for three seasons at Boise State from 1998 through 2000, then moved to Arizona State in 2001.[6] His record with the Broncos was 26–10 (.722), with two Big West Conference titles and two bowl victories and was named Big West Coach of the Year twice. At Arizona State, Koetter compiled a 40–34 (.541) record, and four Bowl appearances in six years. Under Koetter, who was also the offensive play caller, the Sun Devils became known for a vertical passing attack. On November 26, 2006, The Arizona Republic reported that Koetter was being terminated as Arizona State football coach.[7] His final game was the 2006 Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, a 41–24 loss.

Jacksonville Jaguars

In 2007, Koetter accepted the position of offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). In his first year in the NFL, Koetter had immediate success, setting Jaguars franchise records for total points scored and yards gained while helping the Jaguars to an 11–5 record.[8] In his five seasons with the Jaguars, the team cumulatively ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards over that time span in addition to having the NFL's leading rusher in Maurice Jones-Drew in 2010.

Atlanta Falcons

On January 15, 2012, Koetter was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.[9] On January 2, 2013, the team signed him to a contract extension that ran through the 2014 season after they finished the 2012 season with a league-best 13-3 record and the #1-seed in the NFC.[10][11] Koetter and the Falcons appeared in the NFC Championship Game at the end of the season but lost 24-28 to the San Francisco 49ers, who had made their first Super Bowl in 18 years.[12]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2015, Koetter was hired by the Falcons' division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to become their offensive coordinator.[13]

On January 15, 2016, Koetter was named head coach after the Buccaneers fired Lovie Smith.[14] After posting a 9–7 record in 2016 and barely missing the playoffs,[15] the team had high expectations for the 2017 campaign. However, Koetter and the Buccaneers failed to meet those expectations, slipping to a 5–11 record.[16] Despite regressing in his second year as the Buccaneers' coach, the team announced that they would retain Koetter for the 2018 season on December 29, 2017.[17][18] After another 5–11 season in 2018,[19] Koetter was fired on December 30, 2018.[20][21] He finished his tenure in Tampa Bay with a 19-29 (.396) record.

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

On January 8, 2019, Koetter was re-hired as the offensive coordinator for the Falcons.[22] After not being retained under new head coach Arthur Smith following the 2020 season,[23] Koetter announced his retirement from coaching on January 22, 2021.[24][25]

Boise State University

On June 15, 2022, Koetter was hired to be an offensive analyst at Boise State University.[26] On September 24, 2022, head coach Andy Avalos fired offensive coordinator Tim Plough and named Koetter the interim offensive coordinator for the rest of the season.[27]

Head coaching record

College

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Boise State Broncos (Big West Conference) (1998–2000)
1998 Boise State 6–5 2–3 4th
1999 Boise State 10–3 5–1 1st W Humanitarian
2000 Boise State 10–2 5–0 1st W Humanitarian
Boise State: 26–10 12–4
Arizona State Sun Devils (Pacific-10 Conference) (2001–2006)
2001 Arizona State 4–7 1–7 9th
2002 Arizona State 8–6 5–3 3rd L Holiday
2003 Arizona State 5–7 2–6 T–8th
2004 Arizona State 9–3 5–3 T–3rd W Sun 20 19
2005 Arizona State 7–5 4–4 4th W Insight
2006 Arizona State 7–6 4–5 T–5th L Hawaii
Arizona State: 40–34 21–28
Total: 66–44

NFL

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
TB 2016 9 7 0 .563 2nd in NFC South
TB 2017 5 11 0 .313 4th in NFC South
TB 2018 5 11 0 .313 4th in NFC South
Total 19 29 0 .396 0 0

References

  1. ^ Stroud, Rick. "Emotional Dirk Koetter takes over as Bucs coach," Tampa Bay Times, Saturday, January 16, 2016.
  2. ^ Emerson, Paul (October 7, 1979). "Vandals stop ISU for 3rd straight win". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1D.
  3. ^ "Broncos trample ISU". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. October 21, 1979. p. 6D.
  4. ^ "ISU's Machurek to miss today's game". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. October 17, 1981. p. 3C.
  5. ^ Emerson, Paul (October 29, 1981). "Kragthorpe's turned Bengals into title contenders in two years". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). p. 1B.
  6. ^ "Dirk Koetter Becomes 21st ASU Football Coach". Sun Devil Athletics. December 2, 2000. Archived from the original on February 13, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  7. ^ Metcalfe, Jeff (November 26, 2006). "Koetter out as ASU football coach". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
  8. ^ "2007 Jacksonville Jaguars Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
  9. ^ "Falcons hire Dirk Koetter as new OC". ESPN. January 15, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  10. ^ Sessler, Marc (January 2, 2013). "Dirk Koetter signs Atlanta Falcons contract extension". NFL.com. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  11. ^ "2012 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  12. ^ "NFC Championship – San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – January 20th, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  13. ^ Yasinskas, Pat (January 8, 2015). "Dirk Koetter to run Bucs offense". ESPN. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  14. ^ Smith, Scott (January 15, 2016). "Dirk Koetter Named Buccaneers Head Coach". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  15. ^ "2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  16. ^ "2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  17. ^ Laine, Jenna (December 29, 2017). "Buccaneers bringing coach Dirk Koetter back for 2018 season". espn.com. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  18. ^ Wagner-McGough, Sean (December 29, 2017). "Buccaneers will shockingly retain coach Dirk Koetter, ending Jon Gruden rumors". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  19. ^ "2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  20. ^ Laine, Jenna (December 30, 2018). "Dirk Koetter out as Bucs coach after going 5-11 in 3rd season". espn.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  21. ^ Knoblauch, Austin (December 30, 2018). "Tampa Bay Buccaneers fire coach Dirk Koetter". NFL.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  22. ^ "Falcons hire former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter as new OC". NFL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  23. ^ Knapp, Greg (January 20, 2021). "Falcons dismiss OC Dirk Koetter, six assistant coaches". thefalconswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  24. ^ Smith, Michael David (January 22, 2021). "Dirk Koetter retires after 39 years in coaching". NBCSports.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  25. ^ Patra, Kevin (January 22, 2021). "Former Buccaneers HC, Falcons OC Dirk Koetter retires from coaching". NFL.com. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  26. ^ Laine, Jenna (June 15, 2022). "Boise State football adds former coaches Dirk Koetter, Ron Collins as senior analysts". bronconationnews.com. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "Andy Avalos Announces Staff Change - Boise State University Athletics". Boise State University Athletics. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
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1981 Idaho State Bengals football—NCAA Division I-AA national champions