The 1985 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's ninth season in the National Football League, the ninth playing their home games at Tampa Stadium and the first season under head coach Leeman Bennett. The team failed to improve on a 6–10 season, once again finishing at 2–14, the same as in 1983.
In week 1, Tampa Bay held a 28–17 halftime lead over the eventual Super Bowl winning Chicago Bears. In fact, both games against the Bears provided Tampa Bay halftime leads. Steve Young won his first start against the Detroit Lions before the losses started to pile on, including playing in a foot of snow in Green Bay. The Buccaneers failed to improve on their 6–10 record, and finished 2–14, the worst in the NFL. The Bucs lost their first nine games before shutting out the Cardinals 16–0 in Tampa to finally get in the win column. One week later, the Buccaneers were humiliated, 62–28, in New York by the Jets. The 62 points allowed during the game were the most points allowed by any team during the 1980s and are the most allowed in franchise history. After a win in overtime against the Lions, the Buccaneers would then lose three consecutive games to finish the season.
Offseason Hiring Leeman Bennett Former Atlanta Falcons coach Leeman Bennett was named by owner Hugh Culverhouse as the replacement for retired head coach John McKay. Other candidates interviewed included Buccaneer defensive coordinator Wayne Fontes, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Tom Catlin, former Michigan Panthers head coach Jim Stanley, former New England Patriots head coach Ron Meyer, Washington Redskins quarterback coach Jerry Rhome, former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Bud Carson,Scanlon, Dick. "Culverhouse interviews Rhome, far from decision". The Lakeland Ledger. 15 Jan 1985 and former Florida Gators coach Charley Pell.Associated Press. "Pell interviews for Bucs' spot". The Lakeland Ledger. 18 Jan 1985 Bennett was an unexpected choice, as Fontes had long been considered to be the leading candidate and had the near-unanimous support of the players and existing staff. Culverhouse almost gave Fontes the job without conducting an interview process, before having second thoughts and soliciting recommendations from McKay, Tex Schramm, and Dan Rooney.Mizell, Hubert. "A choice that made sense". St. Petersburg Times. 24 Jan 1985 Described as "heartbroken", Fontes learned while attending a scouting combine in Arizona that he had been passed over for the job. Bennett indicated that nobody who had been a candidate for the head coaching job would be hired as an assistant, ending speculation that he might retain Fontes or bring in his former assistant Jim Stanley.Johnson, Mark. "The Runner-up". St. Petersburg Times. 26 Jan 1985 Fontes eventually accepted the defensive coordinator position with the Detroit Lions.Staff Report. "Fontes Joins Lions". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 16 Feb 1985
Bennett had served as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator under Chuck Knox before taking the Falcons’ job, where he became the only coach to lead that franchise to the playoffs. He did so three times, and was fired after their third playoff appearance, when the owners felt that a change was necessary in order for the Falcons to advance further. The Falcons finished in last place in the NFC West in both of the years following Bennett's firing.Wire services. "Falcons have occupied cellar since firing Bennett in 1983". St. Petersburg Times. 24 Jan 1985 Twice named NFC Coach of the Year, Bennett was well respected as a coach, with the only knock against him being a reputation as possibly "too nice". Although Bennett was one of the candidates recommended by McKay, his easygoing style was considered to be a complete opposite to McKay.McDonald, Tim. "Bennett: a loyal, tough man". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 25 Jan 1985Sheeley, Glenn. "To one Atlanta journalist, Bennett is a good man". St. Petersburg Times. 25 Jan 1985 He vowed to keep the 3–4 defensive alignment with which Tampa Bay had been so successful, and said that the team would be a playoff contender in 1985. He believed that they had a good nucleus of players, although he admitted to knowing little about their personnel.Scheiber, Dave. "Bennett answers Bucs' call". St. Petersburg Times. 24 Jan 1985
Jerry Glanville, the coordinator of the league-leading 1977 Falcons defense, indicated that he would be unavailable due to his contractual ties to the Houston Oilers.Gibson, Steve. "Glanville Rules Himself Out as Bucs' Assistant". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 31 Jan 1985 The offensive coordinator position was filled by Jimmy Raye, a former Bennett assistant who had been holding the same position with the Rams. Offensive line coach Kim Helton and linebackers coach Howard Tippett were the only assistants to be retained by the new regime.Staff Report. "Raye to Join Bucs as Offensive Coach". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 5 Feb 1985 Rams assistant Vic Rapp was brought in as the running backs coach.Wire services. "Bucs hire running backs coach, only one coaching spot open". The Lakeland Ledger. 20 Feb 1985 Former Michigan Panthers defensive coordinator Dick Roach was brought in as the defensive backfield coach.Wire services. "Panthers assistant joins Bucs". St. Petersburg Evening Independent.14 Feb 1985 Longtime trainer Tom Oxley was replaced by former Falcon trainer Jay Shoop.Staff Report. "Bucs Hire Ex-Falcon Assistant Trainer". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 6 Feb 1985
Personnel moves Although he and Jimmie Giles had been hoping that the staff turnover would restore their playing time,McDonald, Tim. "Forgotten Bucs". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 26 Jan 1985 Richard Wood was not re-signed. Maurice Harvey and Jeff Komlo were also released. Re-signed were: Michael Morton, Adger Armstrong, Leon Bright, Cedric Brown, Robert Thompson and Glenn Bujnoch. Morton eventually rejected his contract offer, and signed with the Washington Redskins.Zucco, Tom. "Heller returns to Buc camp after an easy knee surgery". St. Petersburg Times. 7 Aug 1985 Vagas Ferguson, a former star running back at Notre Dame and a one-time 1st-round draft choice of the New England Patriots, was signed as a free agent.Staff writer. "Bucs sign a pair of free agents". St. Petersburg Times. 1 Mar 1985
NFL draft This was the first time in three years that the Buccaneers held a first-round pick on draft day, and they indicated that they needed much defensive help. The defensive line and linebacker positions lacked depth, and the secondary was aging. Of the three premier defensive ends available, Bruce Smith had already been signed by the Buffalo Bills, who held the first overall choice, and Ray Childress was expected to be taken by the Houston Oilers, leaving University of Washington defensive end Ron Holmes as Tampa Bay's most likely selection with the eighth overall pick. Director of player personnel Jim Gruden described his as having the combination of size and speed, versatility, and a productive college career that the Buccaneers desired.Associated Press. "Buccaneers Seek Defensive Help". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 28 Apr 1985Associated Press. "Bills tap Hokies' Smith as NFL's top pick". St. Petersburg Times. 1 Mar 1985
Pick Round Player Position College 8 1Ron HolmesDefensive endWashington643Ervin RandleLinebackerBaylor924Mike HeavenCornerbackIllinois1767Mike PriorFree SafetyIllinois State2048Phil FreemanWide receiverArizona State2329Steve CalabriaQuarterbackColgate26010Donald IgwebuikeKickerClemson28811Punkin WilliamsRunning backMemphis State31612Jim RockfordDefensive backOklahoma33012James MelkaLinebackerWisconsin The Buccaneers' second-round pick went to the Denver Broncos as part of the trade for Steve DeBerg. Their fifth-round pick went to the New York Jets for running back Scott Dierking. Their sixth-round pick was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for tackle Don Swafford. The second round 12 pick came from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for defensive end Booker Reese.
Draft selections Holmes was chosen over Eddie Brown, who was not expected to have been available with the eighth-overall pick. Bennett decided that, with the passing game already performing well, it was more important to select for defense. The Buccaneers envisioned Holmes as a starting end, opposite of Lee Roy Selmon and with Dave Logan at nose tackle.Scheiber, Dave. "No second-guessing: Bucs make Holmes their No. 1 choice". St. Petersburg Times. 1 May 1985 Holmes was named first-team All-America by five different organizations, and was once much-coveted by Memphis State and DePaul as a basketball recruit.Gibson, Steve. "Holmes Ready to Work Some Magic For Bucs". The Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 11 May 1985 Ervin Randle was a versatile linebacker who had also played defensive end and nose tackle at Baylor.Zucco, Tom. "Second pick: Ervin Randle, linebacker from Baylor". St. Petersburg Times. 1 May 1985 Mike Heaven, a Delray Beach, Florida, native, was a defensive back who was expected to provide immediate help to a secondary that had aging safeties and struggling young cornerbacks.Zucco, Tom. "Third pick: Mike Heaven, defensive back from Illinois". St. Petersburg Times. 1 May 1985 Likewise, Mike Prior was the Missouri Valley Conference career leader in interceptions as well as a former Baltimore Orioles draftee.Zucco, Tom. "Fourth pick: Mike Prior, safety from Illinois State". St. Petersburg Times. 1 May 1985 He turned down a contract offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers to sign with Tampa Bay.Wire services. "Bucs sign Prior and Williams". The Lakeland Ledger. 11 Jun 1985 Phil Freeman was the University of Arizona starting tailback until suffering a broken leg in 1982, but was projected as a wide receiver with what Bennett called "rare speed"."Fifth pick: Phil Freeman, receiver from Arizona". St. Petersburg Times. 1 May 1985 Steve Calabria was the leading quarterback in Colgate history, with a strong arm and the ability to throw while rolling out."Sixt pick: Steve Calabria, quarterback from Colgate". St. Petersburg Times. 1 May 1985 He claimed to already have signed a letter of agreement with Tampa Bay Bandits owner John F. Bassett, although it was unclear whether the Bandits would still be in existence, or whether they would be part of the USFL or part of a new spring league that Bassett was proposing.Flanagan, Mike. "Calabria says he'll be Bandit, not Buccaneer". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 2 May 1985 Calabria had been expected to be drafted as high as the fourth round, until rumors of his USFL agreement (which the Buccaneers were unaware of) began to circulate. By the time the ailing Bassett released Calabria from his contract, mini-camp was already over, and he was unprepared for preseason competition.Flanagan, Mike. "Time runs out on Steve Calabria". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 21 Aug 1985 Donald Igwebuike was a soccer player who tried football at the encouragement of his fellow Nigerian and Clemson teammate Obed Ariri, against whom he would now be competing for the kicking job.Wire services. "Football". The Lakeland Ledger. 7 Jun 1985 James Melka was a second-team All-Big Ten selection at linebacker who had been expected to be drafted much higher than the twelfth round.Farrell, Perry A. "Some Badgers are happy, some are not". The Milwaukee Journal. 1 May 1985
The team followed the draft by signing 22 free agents, including Southern tight end Calvin Magee, LSU quarterback Alan Risher, and cornerback Irvin Phillips, who had been obtained via trade from the Los Angeles Raiders the previous year, but had been waived after failing a physical.Associated Press. "Bucs' 22 signees include Delegal, Freddie Miles and Ken Calhoun". The Miami News. 10 May 1985
Steroid controversy