3 months ago
The Bills are wasting no time launching their search for a new head coach - slash - general manager possibly, as ESPN.com reports the Bills have contacted former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and a meeting is expected to take place within the next week.
Tuesday when the Bills fired Dick Jauron and replaced him on an interim basis with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, Ch2 Sports Director Ed Kilgore reported that Hall of Famer Jim Kelly told him he felt Bills COO Russ Brandon had owner Ralph Wilson's ear on the importance of hiring a highly qualified football man to rebuild the Bills organization, even if it's expensive, and it certainly appears Kelly is right on target.
Shanahan won two Super Bowls with John Elway as his quarterback during his 14 seasons as head coach of the Denver Broncos, and Shanahan is reportedly anxious to get back into coaching and will listen to what the Bills may have to offer.
ESPN.com also reported the Bills either have reached out, or plan to contact, in no particular order, former Bills player and former New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett, NY Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride (Bills offensive coordinator in 2002-03) and Mark Trestman, who is currently the head coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes (15-3 right now).
As for Shanahan, a source close to the Broncos in Denver says Shanahan still has two years left on his contract at around $7 million per year, and the source doubts seriously if Shanahan would be interested in coming to Buffalo because he craves coaching in a bigger market (#1) and with a team (#2) that isn't rebuilding.
Depending on what happens with the Bears in Chicago, if Lovey Smith is squeezed out should the Bears miss the playoffs, Shanahan, who is from Chicago, would be reunited with quarterback Jay Cutler. Dallas could also be a possibility with Wade Phillips always on the verge of losing his job, and of course, Washington, where owner Dan Snyder could buy a proven quarterback in what will probably be an uncapped year.
wgrz.com/espn.com
