Several Buffalo Bills coaches come from Andy Reid coaching tree

Among the ranks of NFL coaches, Andy Reid stands as one of the most respected football minds. Beginning his coaching career at Brigham Young in 1982, Reid has been coaching in some capacity for 35 years. His 1992 break as an offensive assistant with the Green Bay Packers quickly led to other opportunities, culminating with his first head coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999.

Longevity stands as one of the best hallmarks of coaching respect and Reid remained with the Eagles for 13 seasons. Following his dismissal there, he was picked to be the head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, where he will be preparing his team for this Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

As career’s such as Reid’s grow, their past assistants branch out to form a coaching “tree.” The Bills have no shortage of Reid branches. Nick Veronica tweeted on Wednesday morning that four current Bills coaches have worked under Reid, all during his time in Philadelphia.

Here’s the list:

• Head Coach Sean McDermott was given his first NFL gig (scouting administrative coordinator) by Reid. Reid had enough faith in McDermott to promote him through the ranks to defensive coordinator, where he remained for two years until being fired and taking a job with the Carolina Panthers. In all, they spent over a decade together in Philadelphia.
• Defensive Coodinator Leslie Frazier worked with Reid from 1999-2002 as a defensive backs coach.
• Offensive line coach Juan Castillo was in Philly prior to Reid, but was retained when he was named head coach in 1999. Castillo worked several jobs for Reid and remained with the Eagles one year after Reid departed.
• David Culley, Bills quarterback coach was not only in Philadelphia for the entirety of Reid’s tenure, he followed him to Kansas City until his departure for the Bills this season. He was Reid’s wide receiver coach.

This game will serve as a bit of a reunion for the coaching staffs of both teams. Six current coaches for the Chiefs also spent time with the Reid-led Eagles.

They include Brad Childress (assistant head Coach and former Vikings head coach), Matt Nagy (offensive coordinator), Corey Matthaei (assistant quarterbacks coach), Tom Melvin (tight ends coach), Dave Toub (special teams coordinator) and Barry Rubin (strength and conditioning coach).

If the postgame handshakes and pleasantries are a little more cordial than usual this week, it’s a safe bet it’s a result of these coaches’ mutual history with the Philadelphia Eagles and Reid.