Bruce Arians says he's happy to reward Todd Bowles with Tampa Bay Buccaneers HC job, has 'great relationship' with Tom Brady

Bruce Arians said Thursday that it was always his dream to hand a head-coaching job to a member of his staff and that reports of friction between himself and Tom Brady «couldn't be further from the truth.»

Arians, who will be moving into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office this season while defensive coordinator Todd Bowles takes over as head coach, also said his family played a big part in his decision and there was «no better time than right now» to make the move.

«A number of people have already asked, 'Why are you stepping away from a chance to go to the Hall of Fame and win another Super Bowl?' Because I don't give a s--- about the Hall of Fame,» Arians said during Thursday's news conference. «Succession is way important to me. This has been my dream for a long time. Guys that know me, they knew I wanted one of my guys to take over.»

He said that he first started thinking about leaving his post as Buccaneers head coach after the season but it wasn't the right time. He said once Brady announced that he was ending his brief retirement to return to the Bucs, the decision was easy and there was «no better time to pass the torch than now.»

Brady attended Thursday's news conference and was seated in the front row. Arians said he has a «great relationship» with the team's star quarterback.

«All the players — there are a few in here — everyone of them has gotten cussed out. Including him,» Arians said, pointing to Brady. «That's just part of me. That's nothing new. We have a great relationship.… People got to write s---. It couldn't be further from the truth.»

Arians went 31-18 (.633) in three campaigns with Tampa Bay, the highest win percentage of any coach in Buccaneers history, and led the team to victory in Super