Former Cardinals assistant Brentson Buckner hooks on with Buccaneers
Feb 20, 2018, 8:36 AM | Updated: 8:43 am
This is a 2017 photo of Brentson Buckner of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team. This image reflects the Arizona Cardinals active roster as of Thursday, May 11, 2017 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
Another member of Bruce Arians’ coaching staff from the Arizona Cardinals has found work in the wake of the head coach’s retirement.
Brentson Buckner, who served on Arians’ staff from 2013 to 2017 as the team’s defensive line coach, has been hired in the same capacity by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He also got a glowing endorsement on Twitter from former Cardinals defensive back Jerraud Powers.
This dude needs to be a DC/head coach somewhere. 🗣HE’S LEGIT…..he up next, BUCS u will love him , he really cares about his players before anything https://t.co/OHklzYU2Hs
— Jerraud Powers (@JPowers25) February 20, 2018
The 46-year-old Buckner was popular with players during his time in Arizona and will have quite a challenge in his new position. Tampa Bay’s pass rush generated just 22 sacks in 2017 — the lowest total in the NFL. He replaces Jay Hayes, who was let go after a disappointing 5-11 season in 2017. Hayes served on Koetter’s staff for two years
The Bucs had 38 sacks in 2016.
Buckner joins James Bettcher (Giants def. coordinator), Amos Jones (Browns special teams coordinator), Darryl Drake (Steelers wide receivers) and Freddie Kitchens (Browns running backs) as Arians staffers who have found work elsewhere in the NFL for 2018.
Buckner started his NFL coaching career in 2010 as an intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a 12-year career as a player with the Steelers, Bengals, 49ers and Panthers that spanned from 1994 to 2005.
