Buffalo Bills Officially Announce McDermott as Head Coach

January 11, 2017 · No Comments

ORCHARD PARK, NY – The Buffalo Bills today announced that Sean McDermott has been named the 20^th head coach in team history.

“We believe we have hired a smart, determined and hard-working head coach who has been training for many years to achieve this goal. Sean is an ambitious leader who has the desire to lead this organization to compete for and ultimately win a Super Bowl. We look forward to working with Sean for many years to come,” said Bills Owner Terry Pegula.

“I am very appreciative of the opportunity to become the Buffalo Bills new head coach and join the rich tradition of Bills football. I am looking forward to connecting with our players, Bills staff and the passionate fan base. I want to thank Terry and Kim and I look forward to working with Doug and the entire football department,” said Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott.

“Sean McDermott is an excellent football coach and we feel he is the perfect leader for this team. Sean’s intelligence, leadership qualities and vision for our team impressed us throughout the interview process. I am excited to begin working with Coach McDermott and his staff,” said General Manager Doug Whaley.

McDermott, 42, comes to Buffalo after spending the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers. 2017 will mark McDermott’s 19^th season in the National Football League.

During his time with Carolina, McDermott built the Panthers’ defense into one of the NFL’s most consistent units—ranking in the top 10 of total defense for four consecutive seasons (2012-2015).

McDermott’s defenses have been highlighted by his 2015 unit which ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed per play (4.9) and sixth in scoring defense (19.3) and total defense (322.9) en route to helping lead the Panthers to a 15-1 regular season record and a trip to Super Bowl 50.

In 2013, McDermott led a defense that ranked second in total defense (301.3), led the league in sacks (60) and finished second in scoring defense (15.1) while helping lead the Panthers to a 12-4 record and a NFC South title. Through his defense’s superb performance, McDermott was named The Sporting News Coordinator of the Year.

Prior to his time overseeing the Panthers defense, McDermott spent 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. During his tenure with the Eagles, McDermott filled a multitude of different roles while contributing to six division titles, five NFC Championship appearances and a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX.

Following the passing of the late Jim Johnson, McDermott was promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the start of the Eagles’ 2009 training camp. McDermott held the Eagles’ DC spot for two seasons—earning playoff berths in both seasons with him at the defensive helm.

McDermott originally began his NFL career in 1999 as a scouting administrative coordinator for the Eagles after spending the 1998 season as a William & Mary graduate assistant. McDermott played collegiately at safety for William & Mary—originally walking on and going on to become a three-year starter and All-Atlantic 10 Conference choice as a senior in 1997.

McDERMOTT’S COACHING CAREER

NFL
Buffalo Bills	2017	Head Coach
Carolina Panthers	2011-16	Defensive Coordinator (HC Ron Rivera)
Philadelphia Eagles	2009-10	Defensive Coordinator/Secondary (HC Andy Reid)
Philadelphia Eagles	2008	Linebackers (HC Andy Reid)
Philadelphia Eagles	2007	Secondary (HC Andy Reid)
Philadelphia Eagles	2004-06	Assistant Defensive Backs (HC Andy Reid)
Philadelphia Eagles	2002-03	Defensive Assistant & Quality Control (HC Andy Reid)
Philadelphia Eagles	2001	Assistant to the Head Coach (HC Andy Reid)
Philadelphia Eagles	1999-00	Scouting Administrative Coordinator (HC Andy Reid)

COLLEGE
William & Mary	1998	Graduate Assistant (HC Jimmye Laycock)