The 1996 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 7-9 season. It was the first season for Tony Dungy as the team's head coach who had no previous experience as a head coach. Prior to the season it was announced that the team would remain in Tampa Bay and would have a new stadium for the 1998 season. Also prior to the season the team drafted Mike Alstott, who became one of the most popular players in the teams history, and Donnie Abraham. This also marked the final year the Buccaneers wore the orange and white uniforms.