There was always that chance Mike Smith was going to leave. We knew that the day the Buccaneers hired him. Despite the friendship and long time work relationship he had with Dirk Koetter, we all know there are only 32 head coaching jobs in the NFL and if presented with the opportunity, Smith would likely take one.
He interviewed with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars and was named a leading candidate for both jobs. The Jags hired Doug Marrone and out of nowhere, Smith removed himself from the running in L.A. to stay with Tampa Bay.