Todd Robert Bowles is an American football head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. Along with being a football coach, Bowles also had a seven-year career as a player in the NFL. Bowles began his coaching career with Morehouse College as a defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 1997.

Bowles played collegiate football as a cornerback at Temple University between 1982 and 1985. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in youth and community development from Mount St. Mary's University in May 2023. Prior to playing collegiate football, Bowles completed his high school graduation from Elizabeth High School in New Jersey.

Todd Bowles Personal Information

Todd Bowles's Early Life

Bowles was born on the 18th of November, 1963, in New Jersey. Bowles completed his high school studies from Elizabeth High School in 1981. Bowles started his collegiate career when he joined Temple University in 1982. He was a four-year starting cornerback and graduated in 1985. He went undrafted in the 1986 NFL Draft, but later went to have a seven-year career in the NFL.

Todd Bowles's Coaching History

Bowles’ coaching career started in 1997 with Morehouse College, where served as the defensive coordinator and assistant coach. The following year, Bowles started working with Grambling State University as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. In 2000, Bowles assisted the New York Jets as their defensive backs coach. Bowles served the Cleveland Browns between 2001 and 2004. In 2005, Bowles was hired by the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive backs coach. Following that, the Miami Dolphins appointed Bowles as their secondary coach and assistant head coach in 2008. Bowles was hired by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012. The following year, the Arizona Cardinals hired Bowles. In 2015, the New York Jets hired Bowles as their head coach. In 2019, Bowles was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Morehouse College (1997)

Bowles began his coaching career with Morehouse College in 1997 as the defensive coordinator and assistant coach.

Grambling State University (1998 - 1999)

During the 1998 and 1999 seasons, Bowles worked as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for Grambling State University.

New York Jets (2000)

Bowles began his NFL career as a secondary coach for the New York Jets during the 2000 NFL season.

Cleveland Browns (2001 - 2004)

In 2001, Bowles began working as a secondary coach in the nickel package for the next three seasons. In 2004, he was promoted as the secondary coach for the main team.

Dallas Cowboys (2005 - 2007)

Bowles began working for the Dallas Cowboys from 2005 to 2007 as their defensive backs coach.

Miami Dolphins (2008 - 2011)

On 23rd January, 2008, Bowles was appointed as the secondary as well as assistant head coach for the Miami Dolphins under head coach, Tony Sparano. After the latter was fired on 12th December, 2011, Bowles was the interim head coach and finished with a 2-1 record at the end of the season.

Philadelphia Eagles (2012)

At first, Bowles was hired as the secondary coach by the Philadelphia Eagles but following Juan Castillo’s dismissal, Bowles was named the interim defensive coordinator along with being the secondary coach during the 2012 NFL season.

Arizona Cardinals (2013 - 2014)

In 2013, Bowles was appointed as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. In 2015, he won the PFWA and the inaugural AP Assistant Coach of the Year.

New York Jets (2015 - 2018)

On 14th January, 2015, Bowles was appointed as the head coach of the New York Jets and finished with a record of 10-6 in his debut season. However, after finishing last in the AFC East division, he was fired at the end of the 2018 NFL season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019 - Present)

On 8th January, 2019, Bowles was appointed as the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was part of the coaching staff which won the Super Bowl in 2020 against the Kansas City Chiefs and received noteworthy praise for his team’s defense in pressurizing Chiefs’ quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

On 30th March, 2022, Bowles was appointed as the head coach of the team, and finished the next two seasons at the top of the NFC South Division.

Todd Bowles’ Playing Career

Bowles played collegiate football at Temple University from 1982 to 1985. Following that, Bowles played for the Washington Redskins for five seasons in the NFL. In 1991, Bowles signed with the San Francisco 49ers for a season and rejoined the Redskins from 1992 to 1993.

Temple Owls (1982 - 1985)

Bowles played his collegiate career with the Temple Owls between 1982 to 1985. With the Owls, Bowles was a starting cornerback for four years and received First-team All-East honors in 1984.

Washington Redskins (1986 - 1990)

The Washington Redskins signed Bowles as an undrafted free agent in 1986. Bowles was a regular free safety and won the 1987 Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. Bowles was not re-signed by the Redskins, once his contract expired in 1989. Bowles tried to negotiate with the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings but re-signed with the Washington Redskins.

San Francisco 49ers (1991)

Bowles played for the San Francisco 49ers during the 1991 NFL season. He started 14 games while playing in all 16 that season.

Washington Redskins (1992 - 1993)

Bowles played with the Redskins in the 1992 NFL season, prior to being waived by the Redskins in the August of 1993.

Todd Bowles’ Achievements & Awards

Bowles was named the AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year and the PFWA NFL Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2014 season with the Arizona Cardinals.

AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year (2014)

Bowles won the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year for his performance during the 2014 NFL season with the Cardinals.

PFWA NFL Assistant Coach of the Year (2014)

In the same season, Bowles won the PFWA NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.

Todd Bowles’ Coaching Tree

According to Pro Football History, Bowles has worked under Al Groh, Andy Reid, Bill Parcells, Butch Davis, Wade Phillips, Tony Sparano, and Bruce Arians.

Four of Bowles' assistants have been hired as head coaches in the NFL or NCAA:

1. Dan Campbell for the Detroit Lions (2021 – Present)

2. Brian Daboll for the New York Giants (2022 – Present)

3. Dave Canales for the Carolina Panthers (2024 – Present)

4. Karl Dorrell for the Colorado Buffaloes (2020 – 2022)

Todd Bowles’ Mother

Joan Bowles is Todd Bowles’ mother. According to the NFL's official website, Joan died of cancer in 2009.

Todd Bowles’ Wife

Taneka Bowles is Todd Bowles’ wife. According to her Instagram account, Taneka founded Tampa Bay Fashion Experience and serves as its CEO. In addition to her passion for fashion, she strives to support and increase awareness of autism.

Todd Bowles’ Kids

Todd Bowles and Taneka Bowles’ first child is Tyson Bowles. According to Essentially Sports, when Tyson was two years old, he was diagnosed with autism. Troy and Todd Jr, are from Todd's previous marriage to Jill Jenkins and they are being raised by Taneka and Todd, in addition to Tyler. Along with that, Todd and Taneka are raising Sydni Russell as well.