As has been the case ever since the Buffalo Bills decided to move forward last year with GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey, whenever a subsequent hire has been made, the connections to either or both of those men have almost universally been obvious. Last week, however, when the team hired Chuck Cook as its new Director of College Scouting, the connection between Cook and Nix was not immediately obvious.
They are, however, quite strong.
Nix spent time coaching with Cook's father, Hamp, and has known Chuck Cook since he was a young boy. More to the point, the bulk of Cook's experience in the NFL came with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he spent a decade working with famed head coach Marty Schottenheimer. As most of you know, Nix and Scottenheimer have history together, as the two worked well in San Diego.
In fact, looking at Buffalo's front office and coaching staff, the loosest tie - ironically - is between Nix and Gailey, who had no experience working together in years past.