Former Bucs Head Coach Sam Wyche Dies at 74

Wyche passed away Thursday after a a brief battle with metastatic melanoma.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Sam Wyche died Thursday at the age of 74.

NBC Sports' Peter King first reported the news:

Sam Wyche, the imaginative and eclectic former head coach of the Bengals (1984-’91) and Bucs (1992-’95), died this afternoon in Pickens, S.C. after a short battle with metastatic melanoma. He was 74.

— Peter King (@peter_king) January 2, 2020

Wyche captained the Tampa Bay football ship for four seasons, leading the Bucs to a 23-41 record from 1992 through 1995. 

While the wins and losses may not tell of much success during his tenure with the Bucs, Wyche presided over the most impactful NFL draft in franchise history, when he drafted future Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp in the first round of the 1995 draft.

One of the most innovative offensive coaches of his era, Wyche led the Cincinnati Bengals to their only Super Bowl appearance in franchise history following the 1988 season. 

Wyche had a heart transplant in 2016.

The Buccaneers issued the following statement on Wyche's passing Thursday:

Statement from Buccaneers Owner/Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer regarding the passing of former Buccaneers head coach Sam Wyche. pic.twitter.com/NvkzpkGXSB

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 2, 2020