The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing in a familiar face to coach their defensive linemen and adding a pass-game coordinator.
“The #Bucs are set to hire Charlie Strong as their new defensive line coach, sources say.
The former #Louisville and #Texas head coach spent last season with #Bama as an analyst. Now, back in the NFL for the first time since 2021 with the #Jaguars.”
—
Following a decade-long stint as a college head coach, Charlie Strong had transitioned to an analyst role in recent years. After serving in that capacity at Alabama in 2023, Strong is now making a return to the NFL. This move marks a new chapter for the veteran coach, who has previously led programs at Louisville, Texas, and South Florida.
Strong is set to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ coaching staff under Todd Bowles, with Ian Rapoport reporting that he will serve as the team’s defensive line coach. This marks Strong’s second stint as an NFL assistant coach, having previously worked as the inside linebackers coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021 under Urban Meyer.
—
The Buccaneers are also bolstering their offensive staff with the addition of Kefense Hynson as pass-game coordinator, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero.
“The #Bucs are hiring Kefense Hynson as their pass game coordinator, per source.
A longtime college assistant, Hynson was most recently Oregon State’s WRs coach/pass game coordinator.”
Hynson, who has spent his entire career in the college ranks, is making his NFL debut with the Buccaneers. He joins Tampa Bay after a notable tenure as Oregon State’s wide receivers coach.
—
At 64, Charlie Strong boasts a storied college coaching career, with notable stints at Louisville, Texas, and South Florida. His tenure at Louisville, where he led the Cardinals to 11-2 and 12-1 seasons in 2012 and 2013 with Teddy Bridgewater at the helm, earned him an offer from Texas. However, Strong’s time at Texas was marked by inconsistency, with three consecutive 7-loss seasons. He later found initial success at South Florida, posting a 10-2 record in 2017, but ultimately struggled in his final two seasons, leading to his dismissal.
Strong boasts an extensive coaching career spanning over four decades, dating back to 1983. He has held prominent defensive coordinator roles at South Carolina and Florida, accumulating valuable experience.
In contrast, Kefense Hynson, 44, began his coaching journey in 2003 and quickly rose through the ranks. By 2007, he had become a college coordinator at the Division I-FCS level. Hynson spent the past seven years as Oregon State’s pass-game coordinator, where he mentored talented players like Luke Musgrave and Isaiah Hodgins. He briefly served as interim head coach in 2023 and was retained by new head coach Trent Bray in 2024.
—
The Buccaneers are once again tapping into the college talent pool, having previously hired Liam Coen from Kentucky last year. Coen, who had prior NFL experience as the Rams’ OC in 2022, has since departed to take on a head coaching role. To fill the void, the Bucs promoted Josh Grizzard.
Kefense Hynson will now join Grizzard’s staff, while Charlie Strong will serve as a key lieutenant under head coach Todd Bowles. Notably, the Buccaneers do not employ a traditional defensive coordinator, so Strong will play a significant role in shaping the team’s defensive strategy.
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
