The next head coach of the Buffalo Bills has big shoes to fill.
On Monday, the Bills announced they had fired Sean McDermott as head coach. McDermott, 51, couldn’t get the Bills to the Super Bowl in nine years at the helm, but he changed the culture in Buffalo.
McDermott joined Buffalo when the team had the longest playoff drought in the NFL. In his first season, McDermott ended the team’s 17-year playoff drought. In McDermott’s nine years as head coach, the team would make the playoffs eight times. He leaves Buffalo with a record of 98-50 in the regular season (.662 winning percentage) and 8-8 in the playoffs.
Bills issued the following statement on Monday after news of McDermott’s recall broke.
“Sean has done an admirable job leading our football team over the past 9 seasons,” said Bills owner Terry Pegula. “But I feel we need a new structure within our leadership to give this organization the best opportunity to take our team to the next level. We owe it to our players and the Bills Mafia.”
Added Pegula: “Sean helped change the mindset of this organization and helped make the Bills a perennial playoff team,” Pegula said. “I respect all the work, loyalty and attention to detail he has shown for this team and community. I wish Sean, Jamie and his family all the best.”
Following the news of his release, several Bills players, past and present, shared their thoughts on the news.
DT DaQuan Jones
“It doesn’t make sense, but you got what you wanted.
CB Max Hairston
Buffalo’s Rookback wrote “forever grateful” on his Instagram story along with a picture of himself with McDermott.
With Damar Hamlin
Hamlin used a heartbroken emoji and later added the statement: “A true leader of men. Thank you for everything! On and off the field. We love you coach.”
DT Jordan Phillips
“This shit is so stupid. Honestly disgusting. Best coach I’ve ever had.”
CB Taron Johnson
DE Shaq Lawson and former CB Levi Wallace
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