Almost one year ago today (January 11th), Sean McDermott was named head coach of the Buffalo Bills. A lot has happened in that year, most notably the Bills ending the longest playoff drought in North American sports.
Despite an offseason that had folks questioning if the Bills were tanking, Buffalo managed to win nine games and sneak into the final playoff spot before being defeated 10-3 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. McDermott reminded fans, the media, and his players that it’s a multi-step process and results don’t come overnight, and yet they did for a team with low expectations.
Here is a partial list of what McDermott has done in his time in Buffalo. Leave your approval in the poll at the end of the post and your thoughts on coach in the comments section. As we enter the 2018 offseason, are you comfortable with McDermott as the Bills head coach?
- Ended the Bills’ 17-year playoff drought by being the sixth seed in the AFC at 9-7.
- Team’s record never fell below .500, winning in Week 1 and reaching as high as 5-2.
- Had some influence on the firing of general manager Doug Whaley and the hiring of his longtime colleague Brandon Beane.
- Added coordinators Leslie Frazier (defense) and Rick Dennison (offense). Kept special teams coordinator Danny Crossman on staff.
- Benched starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor after consecutive lackluster performances for rookie Nathan Peterman. Switched back to Taylor at halftime of Peterman’s first game after the rookie threw five interceptions.
- Had some influence in major trades of Sammy Watkins, Ronald Darby, Marcell Dareus, and Reggie Ragland.
- Convinced Kyle Williams to play for a seventh head coach in his 12th NFL season.
- Finished 21st in point differential (-56.7).
- Finished tied for tenth-fewest penalties in the league and ninth in penalty yardage.
- Finished seventh in the NFL with a +9 turnover differential.