According to multiple sources, the Buffalo Bills have hired John Butler as their new defensive backs coach. Butler had most recently served in the same position with the Houston Texans for the last four seasons. Butler had previously been with Texans head coach Bill O’Brian at Penn State. The time in Houston was his first NFL job.
The Texans' secondary under Butler was less than impressive in 2017. Houston ranked 24th in pass yards allowed and totaled 11 interceptions for the season, seven fewer than Buffalo. Butler was fired by the Texans at the end of the 2017 season.
Butler (44) and Bills head coach Sean McDermott (43) both attended La Salle College High School in Pennsylvania. McDermott must have a lot of faith in Butler to dismiss former DBs coach Gil Byrd, who orchestrated an impressive group in 2017, in favor of Butler.
Butler will inherit a talented core of defensive backs, including one Pro Bowler in Micah Hyde and a Rookie of the Year candidate in Tre'Davious White in addition to Jordan Poyer, a big Pro Bowl snub.