As a fifth-year senior in 1981, Koetter backed up Mike Machurek at quarterback;[4][5] the Bengals went 12–1 and won the national championship in Division I-AA under second-year head coach Dave Kragthorpe. Koetter earned a bachelor's degree at ISU in 1981 and a master's in athletic administration in 1982.
Coaching career
High school and college coaching
Koetter was the head coach back 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 (1989–93), Boston College (1994–95), and Oregon (1996–97).
Koetter was the head coach for three seasons at Boise State from 1998 through 2000, then moved to Arizona State in 2001.[6] 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, Koetter 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 Koetter was being terminated as Arizona State football coach.[7] His final game was the 2006 Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve, a 41–24 loss.
Jacksonville Jaguars
In 2007, 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 Jaguars franchise records for total points scored and yards gained while helping the Jaguars to an 11–5 record.[8] In his 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, Koetter was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.[9] On January 2, 2013, the team signed him to a contract extension that ran through the 2014 season after they finished the 2012 season with a league-best 13-3 record and the #1-seed in the NFC.[10][11] Koetter and the Falcons appeared in the NFC Championship Game at the end of the season but lost 24-28 to the San Francisco 49ers, who had made their first Super Bowl in 18 years.[12]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In 2015, Koetter was hired by the Falcons' division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to become their offensive coordinator.[13]
On January 15, 2016, Koetter was named head coach after the Buccaneers fired Lovie Smith.[14] After posting a 9–7 record in 2016 and barely missing the playoffs,[15] the team had high expectations for the 2017 campaign. However, Koetter and the Buccaneers failed to meet those expectations, slipping to a 5–11 record.[16] Despite regressing in his second year as the Buccaneers' coach, the team announced that they would retain Koetter for the 2018 season on December 29, 2017.[17][18] After another 5–11 season in 2018,[19] Koetter was fired on December 30, 2018.[20][21] He finished his tenure in Tampa Bay with a 19-29 (.396) record.
Atlanta Falcons (second stint)
On January 8, 2019, Koetter was re-hired as the offensive coordinator for the Falcons.[22] After not being retained under new head coach Arthur Smith following the 2020 season,[23] Koetter announced his retirement from coaching on January 22, 2021.[24][25]
Boise State University
On June 15, 2022, Koetter was hired to be an offensive analyst at Boise State University.[26] On September 24, 2022, head coach Andy Avalos fired offensive coordinator Tim Plough and named Koetter the interim offensive coordinator for the rest of the season.[27]
