Mark Duffner brings experience as an NFL defensive coordinator to his new assignment in that same role for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Lavonte David thinks it’s the excitement Duffner provides that will help the Buccaneers’ defense succeed.
“You can expect a lot of energy, a lot of excitement,” said David, the Buccaneers’ Pro Bowl linebacker and team captain. “That’s what we get from him as LBs. I just expect a lot of guys to play their best for Coach Duff.”
David would know. Duffner has been his position coach since 2016, when Dirk Koetter took over as head coach and brought in Mike Smith to be defensive coordinator. Koetter, Smith and Duffner had all worked together in Jacksonville before Smith became the head coach in Atlanta. On Monday, the Buccaneers elevated Duffner to defensive coordinator, replacing Smith.
Duffner has been an NFL assistant for an unbroken run of 22 years, beginning as a linebackers coach with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1997. That followed 22 years of coaching on the collegiate level, including 11 years as a head coach at Holy Cross and Maryland. Before his six-year run with the Bengals concluded he spent the last two as Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator.
“Duff has been a coordinator in this league,” said Koetter, noting that the change in the coaching staff was solely his decision. “He’s the most experienced coach on our staff, period – at any position. He coaches in the middle of the defense; he coaches the linebackers, so his guys relate both to the back-end players and the front-end players.”
Indeed, David has seen Duffner make an impact that goes beyond the linebackers meeting room, and he only expects that to increase now that the coach has taken on added responsibilities. (Duffner will continue to coach the linebackers, specifically, as well.)
“Everybody in the locker room, everybody offensively and defensively, loves Coach Duff’s energy and loves his positivity,” said David. “So you can expect a lot of fun football.”
David praised Duffner but not as a contrast to how he felt about the departing Smith, saying it was tough to see “a great guy like Coach Smith go.” Koetter also thanked his long-time coaching colleague for everything he had contributed to the team for two-and-a-half years, calling Smith “a really good football coach” who works with a passion.
“Everybody in the locker room has a bunch of respect for him,” said David. “It’s just a tough situation that he was in. I know what type of person he is outside of football. Coach is a standup guy, never threw anybody under the bus, was always a positive guy. It’s sad to see a guy like that go, especially a person like him who has great character.”
Koetter reiterated in his day-after-game press conference on Monday that the NFL is a “production business” and the Buccaneers have not produced the desired or expected results, especially on defense. The 2-3 Bucs have surrendered 30 or more points in four of their five games so far, including Sunday’s narrow loss in Atlanta, in which the offense put up 512 yards, the team’s seventh-highest total ever. Of course, as important as every coach’s contribution is, the actual on-field production necessarily has to come from the players. For Duffner to help turn around the Bucs’ defensive fortunes, said David, the players must, “obviously play better.” And even if Koetter pinpointed coverage issues as the biggest problem on defense, David knows that fixing that is an issue for everyone on defense, not just the secondary.
“Play better,” David repeated. “At the end of the day, it all falls on our shoulders. We’ve got to go out there and execute, play disciplined football and play better defense. It all works hand-in-hand. When you’re in coverage, it all works hand-in-hand from the front end to the back end. We’ve got to do a better job of playing together, understanding stuff better and playing together as a whole.”
View photos of Defensive Coordinator Mark Duffner from his time with the team.
TAMPA, FL- SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 – Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner during practice at AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, FL. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL- AUGUST 20, 2018 – Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner during 2018 Training Camp Day 17 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, FL. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL- AUGUST 03, 2018 – Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2018 Training Camp Day 8 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, FL. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL- SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 – Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner during practice at AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, FL. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 20: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks with Linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri. The Buccaneers won 19-17. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 20: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner and Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2016, in Kansas City, Missouri. The Buccaneers won 19-17. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Matt May/© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016, in Santa Clara, California. The Buccaneers won 34-17. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL- OCTOBER 10, 2018 – Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner during practice at AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa, FL. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 31: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 31-24. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike Carlson/2017 Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GREEN BAY, WI – DECEMBER 3: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 3, 2017, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Buccaneers lost 26-20. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike Carlson/© 2017 Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OCTOBER 22, 2017: ORCHARD PARK, NY: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on October 22, 2017, in Orchard Park, New York. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike Carlson/© 2017 Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 24: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner, Linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Buccaneers lost 22-19. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike Carlson/2017 Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 10: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Detroit Lions at Raymond James Stadium on December 10, 2017, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 24-21. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
2017 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 26: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 26, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Buccaneers lost 34-20. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike Carlson/© 2017 Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 3: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks with Linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 in the bench during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on November 3, 2016, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 43-28. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
MAY 26, 2016 – TAMPA, FLORIDA: Linebacker Lavonte David #54 and Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during day 3 of OTA practice held at One Buccaneer Place on Thursday, May 26, 2016, in Tampa, Florida..(Photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 27: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner and General Manager Jason Licht of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate in the locker room following the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Raymond James Stadium on November 27, 2016, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 14-5. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Matt May/© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OCTOBER 22, 2017: ORCHARD PARK, NY: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner and Defensive Assistant Danny Breyer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on October 22, 2017, in Orchard Park, New York. The Buccaneers lost 30-27. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Mike Carlson/© 2017 Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
JULY 28, 2016 – TAMPA, FLORIDA:Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner and Linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Day 1 of training camp at One Buccaneer Place. (Photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 11: Linebackers Coach Mark Duffner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2016, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 16-11. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Matt May/© 2016 Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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