The Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first NFL team to send a coordinator back in 2018.

Defensive coordinator Mike Smith was fired on Monday, the Buccaneers announced after losing their third straight game to a 34-29 win against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

The Buccaneers rank last in NFL defense with 34.6 points per game and only lead the Kansas City Chiefs in yards per game (439.8). Tampa Bay has dropped at least 400 yards in his entire game and at least 30 points in four of five games, including his last three.

"I have the greatest respect for Mike Smith as a man and as a football coach," said Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter in a statement. "These decisions are always difficult, but our top priority is to do everything in our power to help this team succeed.As I have said in the past, the problems we have encountered as 39. team are never the fault of one person … .. We all understand that this is a results-driven profession and that our results to date have not been to the height of our standards.

"I want to thank Mike for all the hard work and passion he has demonstrated here every day and I wish him every success."

Smith was the defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers since 2016, when Koetter was promoted to head coach.

Linebacker Mark Duffner will replace Smith at the top of the defense.

Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

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