If a general manager is good, no one ever hears about the Director of Player Personnel. His successes happen behind the scenes. His influence is subtle.
Still, the Tampa Bay Bucs think they have added a wealth of experience by hiring John Spytek away from the world champion Denver Broncos.
“We are very fortunate to add someone of John’s pedigree and ability to our organization,” said Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “He has had the opportunity to learn from some of the very best football minds like Andy Reid, Mike Holmgren and John Elway among others. I have known John since he began his personnel career in Philadelphia and he has always shown to be an extremely hard worker, who has a tremendous eye for talent on both the pro and college sides. We are very happy to welcome him and his wife, Kristen, to Tampa Bay.”
Spytek spent three seasons (2010-12) as the Cleveland Browns’ director of college scouting. While with the Browns, Spytek assisted in drafting six players who earned PFW/PFWA All-Rookie Team honors and four players who were selected to a Pro Bowl.
Spytek began his player personnel career working as an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005, earning a full-time college scouting assistant position in 2006 and spending three years as a college/pro scout from 2007-09. His first job in the NFL was as an operations intern with the Detroit Lions in 2004.
Kristen and John Spytek serve as president and vice president, respectively, of the National CMV Foundation. They founded the organization in 2013 to inform and educate families about the prevention of congenital CMV, a virus that ultimately claimed the life of their 21-month-old daughter, Evelyn, in 2014. The couple are also parents to one son, Jack.
A native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Spytek played linebacker at Michigan from 1999-2002, earning a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a master’s in sports management.
