Bowles has also been the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals and Buccaneers as well as the secondary coach for the Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles.
He played eight seasons in the NFL as a safety, primarily with the Washington Redskins, and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XXII.
[1] He played college football at Temple University (class of 1985), where Bowles was a four-year starting cornerback.
[3] Bowles left Temple without graduating; in May 2023, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in youth and community development from Mount St. Mary's University.
Bowles negotiated contracts with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and New York Giants,[9] but ultimately re-signed with the Redskins.
He served as the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets in 2000, Cleveland Browns in 2004, and Dallas Cowboys from 2005 to 2007.
[20] On January 31, 2015, Bowles was voted Associated Press (AP)'s Assistant Coach of the Year for his efforts in the 2014 season.
[22] On January 14, 2015, the New York Jets named Bowles their new head coach and signed him to a four-year deal.
[32] On March 30, 2022, Bowles was named the head coach of the Buccaneers on a five-year deal after Bruce Arians shifted to a senior football consultant role.
[33] In Bowles' first year as head coach, the Buccaneers finished atop the NFC South with an 8–9 record.
[35] Following the 2022 season, starting quarterback Tom Brady announced his retirement and the Buccaneers signed Baker Mayfield as a result.