REPORT: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Interviewing Internal Candidate to Replace Dave Canales

After losing multiple coaches to the Carolina Panthers, the Buccaneers are looking to keep one by promoting him to Dave Canales' vacant position.

Losing offensive coordinator Dave Canales who is now the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has thrown the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offseason into a bit of a tailspin.

Along with Canales, the Buccaneers lost or are expecting to lose receivers coach Brad Idzik who will be the Panthers' offensive coordinator, assistant head coach/run game coordinator Harold Goodwin, and offensive line coach Joe Gilbert.

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That's quite the blow, and to stop the bleeding Tampa Bay is now interviewing an internal candidate for its vacant offensive coordinator job according to CBS' Jonathan Jones.

"The Buccaneers will interview tight ends coach John Van Dam for their vacant offensive coordinator position later this week," Jones reported Wednesday. "An internal candidate, Van Dam has been with the Bucs since 2020 and has been crucial in Cade Otton's development."

2023 was Van Dam's second as the tight ends coach while serving as the team's assistant tight ends coach in 2021 and was an offensive quality control coach in 2020 during the team's run to the Super Bowl.

Jul 30, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales during training camp at AdventHealth Training Center / Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In two years under Van Dam's tutelage, Otton has turned in 89 receptions, 846 yards, and six touchdowns.

The Bucs have also been able to get higher-than-expected production and performance out of tight end Ko Kieft who was viewed as a blocker but has also flashed receiving ability in his career.

According to the Buccaneers Van Dam was the offensive coordinator for Southern Illinois during the 2016 and 17 seasons and was an offensive quality control assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach at the University of Florida in 2015.

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Van Dam served a similar role in 2014 with the Michigan Wolverines before joining the Gators.

He also has experience coaching with the University of Alabama, Augustana (SD) College, and played quarterback for Michigan State from 2006-2008.

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