Dirk Koetter Biography

Dirk Koetter (Dirk Jeffrey Koetter) is an American football coach who is the current offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2014 under then head coach, Mike Smith.

Koetter was previously the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2016 to 2018. He was the head coach at Boise State University from 1998 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2009 at Arizona State University, compiling a career college football record of 66–44 (.600). He was also the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Falcons, and Buccaneers.

Dirk Koetter Education

Koetter graduated from Highland High School in 1977. He stayed in town to play college football at Idaho State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1981 and a master’s in athletic administration in 1982.

Dirk Koetter Coaching career

High school and College coaching

Dirk Koetter was the head coach at Highland High School for two seasons (1983, 1984), then became a full-time college assistant coach in 1985 as the offensive coordinator at San Francisco State University. After his time at San Francisco State, Koetter coached at UTEP (1986–1988), Missouri (1989–1993), Boston College (1994–1995), and Oregon (1996–1997).

He was the head coach for three seasons at Boise State from 1998 to 2000, then moved to Arizona State in 2001. His record with the Broncos was 26–10 (.722), with two Big West Conference titles and two bowl victories and was named Big West Coach of the Year twice.

At Arizona State, he compiled a 40–34 (.541) record, and four Bowl appearances in six years. Under Koetter, who was also the offensive play caller, the Sun Devils became known for a vertical passing attack.

On November 26, 2006, The Arizona Republic reported that Dirk Koetter was being terminated as Arizona State football coach. His final game was the 2006 Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, a 41–24 loss.

Jacksonville Jaguars

In 2007, Dirk Koetter accepted the position of offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). In his first year in the NFL, Koetter had immediate success setting franchise records for total points scored and yards gained while helping the Jaguars to an 11–5 record.

In Koetter’s five seasons with the Jaguars, the team cumulatively ranked third in the NFL in rushing yards over that time span in addition to having the NFL’s leading rusher in Maurice Jones-Drew in 2010.

Atlanta Falcons

On January 15, 2012, he was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. On January 2, 2013, the Falcons signed him to a contract extension that ran through the 2014 season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In 2015, Koetter was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to become their offensive coordinator. After the firing of Lovie Smith, Koetter was hired on January 15, 2016 as the head coach.

After posting a 9–7 record in 2016 and barely missing the playoffs, the Buccaneers had high expectations for the 2017 campaign. However, Dirk Koetter and the Buccaneers failed to meet those expectations, slipping to a 5–11 record.

Despite regressing in his second year as the Buccaneers coach, on December 29, 2017, the Buccaneers announced they would retain Koetter for the 2018 season. After another 5–11 season, Koetter was fired by the Buccaneers on December 30, 2018.

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

On January 8, 2019, Dirk Koetter was re-hired as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

Dirk Koetter Age

Koetter was born on February 5, 1959 in Pocatello, Idaho, United States. He is 60 years old as of 2019.

Dirk Koetter Family

Koetter is the son of Jim Koetter, a German American football coach.

Dirk Koetter Wife

Koetter and his wife, Kim, have four kids, Kaylee, Kendra, Derek, and Davis.

Dirk Koetter Coaching tree

NFL head coaches under whom Koetter has served:

• Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars (2007–2011).
• Mike Smith, Atlanta Falcons (2012–2014).
• Lovie Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015).
• Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons (2019–present).

Among Koetter’s assistant coaches who have later become head coaches at the NCAA Division I level:

• Dan Hawkins: Boise State (2001–2005), Colorado (2006–2010), UC Davis (2017–present).
• Brent Guy: Utah State (2005–2008).
• Chris Petersen: Boise State (2006-2013), Washington (2014-present).