San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Bucs coach Arians masters balancing act
Combination of stars and young players making deep playoff run despite no offseason to bond
This season in Tampa Bay easily could have spiraled into a bad reality show. You had the aging Tom Brady living in Derek Jeter’s mansion. You had the talented but volatile Antonio Brown. You had the sometimes-sportsmanshipaverse Ndamukong Suh. And you had the cult hero known as Rob Gronkowski.
All those egos came together in sun-baked Florida, where things so often get really weird, on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that hadn’t made the playoffs in 13 seasons. Things could have unraveled quickly. Instead, you have a team one win away from playing the Super Bowl in its home stadium — and a lot of hushed skeptics.
From a distance, the rapid rise of the Bucs to Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at the Green Bay Packers points to one person: the Hall of Famebound Brady, still elite at 43. A closer look shows credit also belongs to coach Bruce Arians.
It has been Arians, 68, who has juggled the contrasting cultures of a losing franchise and a winning quarterback. It has been Arians who has woven together the personalities of players who have been name brands in other places — Gronkowski, Brady, Brown, Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul — with quieter gems such as Mike Evans and Lavonte David, who have waited patiently for a shot at the postseason spotlight. It has been Arians who has carved out a place for a surprising group of rookies who had little preseason preparation. And it has been Arians who has molded his offense to fit Brady while facing plenty of questions about their compatibility.
He has done all of this during a pandemic season — one that favored teams with familiarity and experience as a group. After a gutting home loss in November to one of those teams — defending champion Kansas City — Arians’ hope for the bye week was simple: no positive coronavirus tests. The players returned healthy and haven’t lost since.
“We’ve really come on strong the last six weeks,” Brady said. “We’ve played our best football when we needed it the most. The team has really come together, performing and executing to get two (playoff ) road wins.”
Arians showed up in Tampa a year before Brady, but it’s as if he was built for this very situation. He has made a long and winding career of turning the traditional my-way-or-the-highway coaching strategy on its head, in favor of empowering players new and old. That has made him a winner this season, but it also made him somewhat of a trailblazer in leadership style and hiring strategy.
“He’s letting players play, adapting to the offense in their own way,” running back Ronald Jones II said. “It’s playing to our strengths.”
Some of Arians’ influence comes from his ability to meet players where they’re at. He speaks plainly, colloquially, sometimes bluntly, and his players seem to take to it.
“He’s going to coach you hard, but he’s also going to love you hard,” center Ryan Jensen said. “The good butt-rip is sometimes needed, but he’s going to love you up and make sure you go into the game confident.”
Some of this is undoubtedly from the great Bear Bryant, whom Arians worked for in the early 1980s, but some of it surely comes from his upbringing. Arians went to high school in York, Pa., which was both a proud town (home of the York Peppermint Pattie) and a place where racial tensions exploded into riots when Arians was a teenager. Arians has said many of his closest childhood friends were Black, and he
became the first white player at Virginia Tech to have a Black roommate. He is now one of the NFL’s leaders in hiring diversity, with three Black coordinators on his staff.
“This goes way back with him,” ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said. “This is authentic with him. This isn’t just so he can look good. You have to respect that.”
Jen Welter, who joined Arians’ coaching staff in Arizona, saw his psychology skills right away. At the beginning of her tenure, she went onto the practice field with a fitted cap — lacking the opening in the back for a ponytail — and chucked it to the side almost immediately. Arians noticed. A couple of days later, there was a cap with a gap for her.
“Bruce has an infamous saying about being able to read a guy’s eyes,” Welter said. “He learned how to read people from his time as a bartender. What does one guy need — or female need — in the situation? Pay attention to that.”
So it’s a step away from the coach-as-dictator approach and a step closer to
coach-as-supporter. For the older players, that’s a nice combination. They want to learn, but they don’t want to have to unlearn things that worked for them. “You can’t just have a whistle around your neck and be a robot and not expect that (expletive) to backfire on you in the most crucial moments,” Riddick said.
But it’s not just a vibe; it’s X’s and O’s, too. In Arians’ first three years as offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team’s yards gained on offense rose from 17th in the league to seventh. In the same stat, his Cardinals rose from 12th to first in three years. And in Tampa, his teams have been third and seventh in the league in yards. His ability to blend his offensive system with the skills of his players has been on display with Brady and other Bucs.
“Just when you thought you ran the right route,” Gronkowski said, “he comes back with a little more knowledge and detail.”
It’s not as if Arians is a pushover, though. “If you’re not doing something
right,” Welter said, “you’ll know about it.” Arians once mouthed off to Bryant when the legendary coach wouldn’t let him recruit. And he leveled criticism against Brady, the six-time Super Bowl winner, during some of the team’s struggles this season.
Tampa Bay’s path to the conference championship game wasn’t smooth. After that loss to the Chiefs, the Bucs had beaten a grand total of one playoff-bound team (the Packers), and they had given up 400-plus yards in two of their previous three games. Sports radio and social media gave Arians’ team a collective side-eye. Brady didn’t really look like Brady. Yet Arians professed confidence, and a few weeks later, after the regular season ended and before his team earned back-to-back playoff road wins, he sounded as if he knew it all along.
“I envisioned 40 (touchdown passes for Brady). I really did,” he said. “But I was expecting practice. I was expecting (organized team activities in the offseason). We didn’t get that. What he’s done the last half of the season is incredible.”
Even with all of his experience, there’s one experience missing for Arians: a Super Bowl appearance as a head coach. Despite a title run in 2008 as offensive coordinator with the Steelers, Arians didn’t get a full-time top job until 61. He already has more playoff victories this season (two) than in all of his other head coaching seasons combined (one). One more, and he’ll reach the sport’s highest stage.
On Thursday’s Zoom session with reporters, Arians was asked if, through all of the pandemic and the personnel changes, he has changed his coaching style this season.
His top lip curled into a half-smile, and he looked square into the camera.
“Not at all.”
Newcomer of the year RETT ANDERSEN
School: Alamo Heights Grade, position: Sophomore, receiver
Notable: Caught 29 passes for 506 yards (17.4 yards per catch) with a long of 88 yards and five touchdowns. … District 15-5A-II Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
Shane Johnson, Johnson, senior: Caught 44 passes for 914 yards and 14 touchdowns. … 28-6A First Team.
Jalin Spells, Brennan, senior: Caught 37 passes for 656 yards and 15 touchdowns. … 29-6A First Team.
LINEMEN
Jackson Andrews, Clemens, senior: Graded at 94 percent and recorded 44 pancakes. … 27-6A First Team. … Signed with Arkansas State.
Ryan Benca, Smithson Valley, senior: 27-6A First Team. William Huntsinger, Johnson, senior: Recorded 37 knockdowns. … 28-6A First Team. Angel Lopez, Brandeis, senior: 28-6A First Team. … Signed with Prairie View A&M.
Robert Rigsby, Judson, senior: Graded at 93 percent. … 27-6A First Team. … Signed with UTSA.
KICKER
Austin Hosier, Smithson Valley, senior: Converted 11 of 12 field goals. … Made 37 of 38 extra points. … 21 touchbacks.
PUNTER/KICKER
Nick Hernandez, Reagan, senior: 36 punts for a 41.0-yard average. … 20 punts inside the 20-yard-line. … Made 53 of 54 extra points. … 49 touchbacks in 55 kickoffs.
Adonte Wilkerson, Roosevelt, senior: Recorded 69 tackles, 13 sacks and six hurries. … 28-6A First Team.
Pryce Yates, Reagan, senior: Recorded 51 tackles (32 solo, 15 for loss), five sacks. … District 28-6A Defensive MVP. …. Signed with UConn.
LINEBACKERS
Josiah Carrillo, Roosevelt, senior: Recorded 161 tackles (106 solo, 18 for loss), four sacks, eight hurries and seven pass breakups. … 28-6A First Team.
Richard Flores, Marshall, senior: Recorded 134 tackles (21 for loss), two sacks, four interceptions, four hurries and six pass breakups. … 29-6A First Team. Treylin Payne, Judson, junior: Recorded 100 tackles (51 solo), two interceptions and two sacks. … 27-6A First Team.
SECONDARY
Caleb McGarity, Brennan, senior: Recorded five interceptions, 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and 67 tackles (47 solo, 27 for loss) in 10 games. … 29-6A Defensive MVP. Donovan Dreighton, Brennan, senior: Recorded five pass breakups, 52 tackles (20 solo, 12 for loss). …29-6A First Team. … Signed with Incarnate Word. Jalen Rainey, Brandeis, senior: Recorded two interceptions, six pass breakups and 53 tackles. … 28-6A First Team. … Signed with UTSA.
Cruz Untz, Steele, senior: Recorded three interceptions, two pass breakups and 81 tackles (24 solo). … 27-6A First Team.
for 420 yards and eight touchdowns. … District 14-4A-I Offensive MVP.
RUNNING BACKS
Andre Mitchell, Southwest, senior: Rushed for 1,559 touchdowns and 17 touchdowns on 246 carries. … District 14-5A-I Most Valuable Offensive Back. Dareion Murphy, Floresville, junior: Rushed for 1,664 yards and 22 touchdowns on 245 carries. … District 15-5A-II MVP. Micah Williford, New Braunfels Canyon, senior: Rushed for 1,500 yards on 179 carries. … District 12-5A-I Offensive MVP.
RECEIVERS
Bryon Armstrong, Antonian, senior: Caught 29 passes for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games. TAPPS District 2-I. … TAPPS second team All-State. Keith Fennell, Brackenridge, senior: Caught 10 passes for 306 yards (30.6-yard average) and four touchdowns in six games. Jarel Lilly, Jourdanton, senior: Caught 85 passes for 1,603 yards and 19 touchdowns. … District 14-3A-I Co-MVP.
LINEMEN
Cole Booker, Navarro, senior: Recorded 146 pancakes and graded at 96 percent. … District 14-4A-II Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year.
Jacob Hofauer, Falls City, senior: Recorded 37 pancakes and graded at 98 percent. … District 16-2A-II MVP.
Dalton Perry, Poth, senior: Lead blocker for offense that averaged 435.7 yards a game. … District 15-3A-II First Team. Roman Ramirez, Southwest, senior: District 14-5A-I Most Valuable Offensive Lineman. Elvis Stricklin, Boerne Champion, senior: Recorded 28 pancakes, allowed no sacks and graded at 96 percent. … District 15-5A-II Offensive Lineman MVP.
KICKER
Brandon R. Garcia, Hondo, senior: Made 9 of 11 field goals with a long of 46 yards and converted 60 of 61 extra points. … District 15-4A-II Special Teams MVP.
UTILITY
Jordan Battles, Holy Cross, senior: Passed for 883 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 1,447 yards and 20 touchdowns as a quarterback. … Made 50 tackles as a defensive back. Caleb Camarillo, Southside, senior: Caught 37 passes for 597 yards and eight touchdowns as a receiver; rushed for 606 yards and six touchdowns on 92 carries as a running back in seven games. … District 14-5A-I MVP. … Committed to Air Force.
Cooper Conn, Poth, senior: Rushed for 1,006 yards and 17 touchdowns on 97 carries as a running back. … Made 55 tackles and two interceptions as a defensive back. … Returned three punts for touchdowns. … District 15-3A-II MVP.
DEFENSE
LINEMEN
Alex Arnold, Alamo Heights, senior: Recorded 48 tackles (13 for loss), three sacks and five hurries. … District 15-5A-II Defensive MVP.
Ethan Dranowski, Kennedy, sophomore: Recorded 29 tackles and five sacks in five games. … District 13-5A-I Zone B First Team.
Landon Eades, Boerne Champion, senior: Recorded 42 tackles (18 solo) and two sacks. … District 15-5A-II Defensive MVP. Christian Gerlach, Devine, senior: Recorded 21 sacks and 54 tackles (31 for loss). … District 15-4A-II First Team.
Ethan Hamby, Boerne, senior: Recorded 89 tackles (18 for loss) and seven sacks. … District 14-4A-I Defensive MVP.
LINEBACKERS
Trevor Fuller, Poth, junior: Recorded 118 tackles, one interception (for touchdown) and two forced fumbles. … District 15-3A-II Defensive MVP.
Caden Holt, New Braunfels Canyon, senior: Recorded 97 tackles (12 for loss), three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. … District 12-5A-I Co-Defensive MVP. … Signed with UTSA.
Jayden Williams, Marion, senior: Recorded 94 tackles (17 for loss), nine sacks and four pass breakups. … District 14-3A-I First Team.
SECONDARY
Tyler Mangum, Medina Valley, senior: Recorded seven interceptions, 94 tackles and two sacks. … District 15-5A-II First Team. Jack Patterson, Kerrville Tivy, senior: Recorded seven interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 62 tackles. … District 15-5A-II First Team.
Ashon Thompson, Pleasanton, senior: Recorded five interceptions, seven pass breakups and 26 tackles. … District 14-4A-I First Team.
Simeon Woodard, San Antonio Veterans Memorial, senior: Recorded three interceptions, 11 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and 38 tackles. … District 12-5A-I Co-Defensive MVP. … Signed with Montana State.
PUNTER
Ethan Laing, Boerne Champion, senior: Averaged 41.7 yards on 27 punts with a long of 57 yards and 10 inside the 20-yardline. … Headed to UTSA as a preferred walk-on.
Selection process: Teams selected by staff writer David Hinojosa with input from ballots submitted by area coaches. Not all coaches returned ballots. Selections were based on both regular-season and playoff performances.
Judson running back De’Anthony Lewis, right, was the District 27-6A Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the E-N offensive player of the year award.
Brennan cornerback Caleb McGarity (1) earned the District 29-6A defensive MVP honor and was a finalist for the E-N defensive player of the year award.