John McKay Head Coaching Tenure
First head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led them to three playoff appearances including the 1979 NFC Championship Game.
John Harvey McKay (July 5, 1923 – June 10, 2001) was an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Southern California (USC) from 1960 to 1975 and of the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 to 1984.
Quick Facts
- Tenure
- 1976–1985
- Seasons coached
- 10
- Franchise record (at time)
- Most All-Time Wins
- First season result
- 0-14
- Playoff appearances
- 1 (1979)
- Stadium era
- Tampa Stadium
Lore & Background
McKay was the first head coach of the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1976 and 1977, Tampa Bay lost the first 26 games but improved by the end of the 1970s. The Buccaneers made the playoffs three times under McKay, including an appearance in the NFC Championship Game in 1979. McKay's record with the Buccaneers was 44–88–1.
Reader's Guide
McKay served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 through 1984. He played college football as a halfback at Purdue University and the University of Oregon, not at USC.
Did You Know?
- McKay was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1988.
- On January 1, 2014, McKay was named the All-Century Coach of the Rose Bowl Game.
- McKay popularized the I formation and emphasized a power running game with plays like 'Student Body Left' and 'Student Body Right.'
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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