 In Tampa Bay, he found himself in competition with his Florida Gators successor, Jimmy DuBose, for the fullback spot on the Bucs' roster.He scored the Bucs' first franchise touchdown, in an exhibition game against the Falcons, but was never able to regain his pre-injury form and was released after the season opener against the Houston Oilers.Kendrick returned to Gainesville after his two seasons in the NFL, first as a graduate assistant for Florida Gators head coach Doug Dickey, and then as an assistant coach for new head coach Charley Pell, working with the Florida Gators running backs.