After the announced departure of defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, the Bills were in need of a plan for who would be calling plays on defense. General manager Brandon Beane confirmed that the team wouldn’t search externally for a replacement, leaving the responsibility of determining the role to head coach Sean McDermott. Well, according to Mike Giardi of NFL Network, McDermott will be shouldering the role himself.
Two other coaches on staff were considered to be top candidates for the play-calling responsibilities. Senior defensive assistant Al Holcomb recently joined the Bills’ staff after serving as interim defensive coordinator for the Panthers last season. Defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator John Butler was also thought to be worthy of consideration. Butler is extremely well-regarded as a defensive coach and had served as defensive coordinator during his time at Penn State.
Ultimately, Buffalo will turn to its skipper to take on the added responsibility. McDermott is obviously one of the more respected minds in football after helping to turn the Bills into a genuine contender. He also earned his position as head coach after stints as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator (2009-10) and the Panthers’ defensive coordinator (2011-16). McDermott had two strong seasons with the Panthers, fielding the second-best defense in yards and points allowed in 2013 and the sixth-best defense in yards and points allowed in 2015, when Carolina went the Super Bowl.
The Bills will certainly miss Frazier, who led a Bills defense that has allowed the fewest yards in each of the past two seasons while allowing the fewest points in 2021 and the second-fewest points in 2022. But Buffalo has a capable leader who will step up and attempt to keep the Bills defense at the top of the league.
I never understood why a man would take a position as defensive/offensive coordinator and not be able to call their own plays. Before y’all have a hissy fit I will say that may not be the case here, it’s just an observation.
Seems to me that the head coach has way to many decisions to make during the game without adding those responsibilities too. But if the team flounders then everyone knows who to blame.
After the way Leslie called that Bengals game I’ll take that chance
Going from a position coach to Coordinator is still a promotion, regardless of whether you call the plays. No hissy fit, just facts. More money, more responsibility, more exposure, and advancing your career would be the main reasons to accept a coordinator job even if you aren’t calling plays.
I never understood why a man would let his ego get in the way of growth and success.
That team is ready to implode.
Not sure why so many fans think play calling is some kind of rocket science. Maybe coaches holding colorful charts on the sidelines has something to do with it. The reality is that 90% of playing calling is dictated by in game situations. There are for example a very limited number of plays that have a chance of being successful in various situations, particularly if you have key players out with injuries.
Still need to recognize the situation, decide on the play, and call it in before the mics turn off. Along with all the other, normal, HC decisions and responsibilities.
Putting more on the plate makes no sense — that’s why you hire your staff, to do these jobs.
Personally, I think a lot of staff hires are only to ensure there is someone to take the blame when the HC screws up.
McDermutt….
I don’t like it. Game management isn’t McDermott’s strong suit (he wastes a lot of timeouts and challenges plays he shouldn’t). Be the head coach, let Butler call the plays.