NFL: Does Anyone Want to Coach the Buffalo Bills?
Brian Schottenheimer reportedly turned down the Buffalo Bills invitation to interview for its head coaching position joining other luminaries such as Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, and Brian Billick who previously told owner Ralph Wilson thanks but no thanks. That begs the question: Does anyone of note want to coach the Buffalo Bills?
When the Bills fired Dick Jauron the mission statement was that Wilson was intent on finding a coach to restore the glory days the franchise enjoyed under the leadership of Marv Levy. They did not waste any time in attempting to do so by tracking down Mike Shanahan and talking with Bill Cowher prior to the season even ending. Billick’s name surfaced recently in connection to the Bills job as has Marty Schottenheimer’s, father of Brian.
Aside from the aforementioned names the Bills have hired previous interim coach Perry Fewell, who reportedly had an impressive interview, and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
The team has reportedly asked for and received permission from the Arizona Cardinals to interview Russ Grimm but an interview has yet to be scheduled and it is believed that Grimm has no real interest in being the next head coach in Buffalo.
Frazier is considered to be the leading candidate for the job at this point and the Bills are said to be interested in talking to a few more assistants around the league once the season is over.
One begins to wonder why so many coaches are turning down the Bills. I understand why nobody wants to coach in Oakland, but, why not Buffalo? They have a good fan base and by most reports a good owner who stays out of the way for the most part.
One cannot help but wonder if Ralph Wilson wants marquee coaching for bargain basement prices. You have to pay to play if you want a big time coach any more and I am not sure the climate in Buffalo is appealing enough to want to come coach there for under market value. The only way it happens is if you have a team that is perceived to have the talent to win right away, and, to be honest Buffalo is not exactly loaded with talent right now. There is quite a bit of work to be done personnel-wise to get this team back into contention year-in-year-out.
It was always said that Levy stayed at Buffalo despite the fact he could have gotten significantly more coaching for a team in a larger media market. Wilson probably thinks he is going to find another Levy and, unfortunately, guys like Levy only come around once in a generation if not longer. Unfortunately for Wilson he is going to have to open up the check book if he wants to lure a big name coach to Buffalo and be more than just a stepping stone job for an up-and-coming coach.
Related Posts
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
(4.33 out of 5)
Like I said a while back…hire Leslie Frazier and start moving forward. It’s like credit, the more coaches turn you down, the less coaches will be interested. Buffalo will then have to settle for a Jim Haslett type or unproven college coach. Take a cue for Seattle, SIGN LESLIE FRAZIER!
I agree a retread like Jim Haslett or a Jim Mora, Jr. would be a mistake for Buffalo. I do think it is worthwhile to go after guys like Shanahan, Billick, and Cowher who have actually won a Super Bowl. The thing is you have to expect to give up a lot of control and money to land them.
They need to figure something out before too long though. The college all star games will be here before you know it.
Leslie Frazier sounds like a good hire but they have to be willing to give him time to build a winning team and not be looking to pull the plug on him if they are still a .500 team after two years though.