Bruce Arians

His decision to step down as head coach of the Buccaneers and have Bowles succeed him drew praise for providing a head coaching opportunity that was set up for success to an African-American coach, an [[Rooney Rule|ongoing issue in the NFL]].{{Cite web |last=Streeter |first=Kurt |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Bruce Arians Gave the N.F.L. a Diversity Blueprint It Shouldn't Ignore |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/01/sports/football/nfl-bruce-arians-todd-bowles-tampa-bay.html |access-date=January 17, 2026 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Greg |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Bruce Arians is a Hall of Famer for how he boosted assistants |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2022/04/01/moore-bruce-arians-did-right-thing-black-assistant-coaches/7246480001/ |access-date=January 17, 2026 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}} It also showcased Arians's loyalty to Bowles, who had coached with him on the [[Cleveland Browns]] and also served as Arians's defensive coordinator with the Cardinals. When asked if his retirement would lessen his chances of entering the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], Arians responded "I don't give a shit about the Hall of Fame. Succession is way more important to me. This has been my dream for a long time. Guys that know me, they knew I wanted one of my guys to take over. And that's more important to me than anything."{{Cite web |last=McManaman |first=Bob |date=March 31, 2022 |title='It's been an unbelievable ride:' Bruce Arians reflects on his NFL coaching career|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2022/03/31/bruce-arians-todd-bowles-buccaneers-cardinals/7236042001/ |access-date=January 17, 2026 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}

His decision to step down as head coach of the Buccaneers and have Bowles succeed him drew praise for providing a head coaching opportunity that was set up for success to an African-American coach, an [[Rooney Rule|ongoing issue in the NFL]].{{Cite web |last=Streeter |first=Kurt |date=April 1, 2022 |title=Bruce Arians Gave the N.F.L. a Diversity Blueprint It Shouldn't Ignore |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/01/sports/football/nfl-bruce-arians-todd-bowles-tampa-bay.html |access-date=January 17, 2026 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Greg |date=April 11, 2022 |title=Bruce Arians is a Hall of Famer for how he boosted assistants |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2022/04/01/moore-bruce-arians-did-right-thing-black-assistant-coaches/7246480001/ |access-date=January 17, 2026 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}} It also showcased Arians's loyalty to Bowles, who had coached with him on the [[Cleveland Browns]] and also served as Arians's defensive coordinator with the Cardinals. When asked if his retirement would lessen his chances of entering the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], Arians responded "I don't give a shit about the Hall of Fame. Succession is way more important to me. This has been my dream for a long time. Guys that know me, they knew I wanted one of my guys to take over. And that's more important to me than anything."{{Cite web |last=McManaman |first=Bob |date=March 31, 2022 |title='It's been an unbelievable ride:' Bruce Arians reflects on his NFL coaching career|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2022/03/31/bruce-arians-todd-bowles-buccaneers-cardinals/7236042001/ |access-date=January 17, 2026 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}

Arians also stressed the importance of family and parenting to his coaching staff, telling them during his first meeting in Tampa Bay that he would fire them if they missed their child's ball game or recital. Many NFL head coaches required their assistants to work long hours with strict rules on leaving the office; [[Marty Schottenheimer]], who Arians once worked for, held this practice. However, Arians stressed that their children would not be there forever, and eventually grow up and leave the household. He wanted his assistants to be present for their children during their formative years.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Scott |date=February 1, 2021 |title=Bucs coach Bruce Arians says he told his staff he would fire them if they miss their kids' events because 'Those years don't come back' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bruce-arians-fire-bucs-coaches-missing-kids-events-2019-8 |access-date=November 30, 2025 |website=Business Insider|language=en}}

Arians also stressed the importance of family and parenting to his coaching staff, telling them during his first meeting in Tampa Bay that he would fire them if they missed their child's ball game or recital. Many NFL head coaches required their assistants to work long hours with strict rules on leaving the office. [[Marty Schottenheimer]], who Arians once worked for, held this practice. However, Arians stressed that their children would not be there forever, and eventually grow up and leave the household. He wanted his assistants to be present for their children during their formative years.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Scott |date=February 1, 2021 |title=Bucs coach Bruce Arians says he told his staff he would fire them if they miss their kids' events because 'Those years don't come back' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bruce-arians-fire-bucs-coaches-missing-kids-events-2019-8 |access-date=November 30, 2025 |website=Business Insider|language=en}}

==Personal life==

==Personal life==