Would it be to far fetched to believe the powers that be saw this coming? Like every coach, Monken is no different. You will stay where you are at not unless 2 or 3 wish list scenarios play out.... This looks to have been one of them and BM already knew it... Contract talks were smoke and mirrors to buy time.
Why? Because it has not been BM's style to make any quick decisions as fast as he stated he would make this one (next Saturday at the latest) .
I believe the Bucs knew when the season was almost over and they knew they wanted Koutter. Telling him behind the scenes, he started building his staff then.
After asking his friend TM, TM notified BM that a wish list choice was going to come true and BM had already started the search in preparation for this move .
Regardless, you would not rush a decision like this . Either the internal coach has already been notified he will be the next HC or BM knew this was coming and already had a short list in mind to hire from the outside.
At the end of the day, I think the hire will be Duggan or Lindsey will be brought back.
I know all that sounds crazy, but hey it is a thought considering how the powers that be has made the big decisions. Nothing has come quick or at the last minute.