The NFL is an unforgiving world. Lovie Smith found that out firsthand late Wednesday night when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled the plug on his tenure as the franchise's head coach.

"After careful consideration, we informed Lovie that we have decided to make a change," Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement posted to the team's website. "I want to thank Lovie for his hard work and dedication to the Buccaneers during his time here. This decision was difficult on a variety of levels. I am disappointed that we were not more successful these past few seasons, but we are committed to doing what is necessary to give our fans the winning team they deserve. As we move forward, General Manager Jason Licht will oversee the process for finding our next head coach."

During his time with the Bucs, Smith led the team to an 8-24 record, bringing his career record as a head coach in the NFL to 89-87.

The Bucs, having fallen on hard times in recent years, seemed to be looking at a promising future after the drafting of quarterback Jameis Winston with the first-overall pick this past spring. But despite positive signs out of Winston, the Bucs still finished the season 6-10 and in last place in a powerful NFC South.

With Smith's ousting, the entire team will be tasked with learning new systems under the tutelage of a new head coach. Some players were understandably shocked by the move.

Early word is that offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, considered a candidate for head coaching gigs elsewhere, may be set to take over the top spot for the Bucs.

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