The Tampa Buccanneers hired Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals named Kliff Kingsbury as their head coaches Tuesday.
Arians replaces Dirk Koetter, who was dismissed Dec. 30 after leading the Bucs to 19 wins and no playoff berths over the past three seasons. Arians coached the Cardinals for five years, stepping down after the 2017 season with a 50-32-1 record that included one division title, two playoff berths, three seasons with double-digit wins and one NFC Championship Game appearance.
The Cardinals, who fired Arians' successor, Steve Wilks, after just one 3-13 season, hired Kingsbury, the former Texas Tech coach in a move aimed at providing guidance for young quarterback Josh Rosen and resuscitating the worst offense in the NFL.
Kingsbury was fired after going 35-40 in six seasons at Texas Tech, but his teams were known for their high-scoring performances. His prize pupil in those days was current Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Tuesday's hiring came barely a month after Kingsbury was hired as offensive coordinator at USC.
... Josh McDaniels expects to be with the Patriots for at least another season. The Patriots' offensive coordinator said that "the book is closed" on him interviewing for other open head coaching jobs after he talked with the Packers.
college football
Title game a ratings dud
Clemson's blowout victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff drew a 14.6 overnight rating for ESPN across its multiple-channel broadcast, the lowest-rated title game in the 5-year-old postseason system.
Last season's Alabama overtime victory against Georgia drew a 16.7 overnight rating.
... New Ohio State coach Ryan Day has hired a second assistant away from rival Michigan. Day hired Michigan linebackers coach Al Washington for the same position on the Ohio State staff. The move comes a day after Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison was added to the staff as co-defensive coordinator.
