Buffalo Bills General Manager Brandon Beane revealed this week that he had zero involvement in the decision to dismiss head coach Sean McDermott, speaking candidly about the coaching transition during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Speaking with CBS Sports, Beane explained that both he and McDermott operated as co-equals within the organization’s hierarchy, each reporting directly to owners Terry and Kim Pegula. Following McDermott’s departure, the Pegulas kept Beane in his role and tasked him with overseeing the search for a new head coach, which concluded with the internal elevation of offensive coordinator Joe Brady last month.
“That decision was ultimately Terry Pegula’s. And his alone. The structure was Sean and I both separately report to (ownership) and we were equals in it. We had nine really good years together,” Beane explained during his interview at the combine’s media center.
The general manager went on to characterize owner Terry Pegula’s reasoning for the change, saying: “I think Terry, using his words, don’t quote me, but something like we hit a proverbial playoff wall. I think he felt like we need something new. We need something fresh, just need to try something else. This was the decision he made and you follow along with it, ‘Alright, you’ve made this decision.’ Now we need to put our heads together and line up who are the best candidates.”
Beane pushed back against speculation that Buffalo had already selected McDermott’s successor prior to his termination following the team’s overtime playoff defeat.
The Bills’ interview process included several candidates beyond Brady, who lacks head coaching experience at any level. Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, ex-Giants head coach Brian Daboll, Commanders running game coordinator Anthony Lynn, and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo all received consideration during the search.
While acknowledging that Brady’s pursuit of head coaching opportunities over the previous two seasons factored into their evaluation process, Beane emphasized that internal familiarity neither helped nor hindered any candidate’s chances.
“To me, it’s like, treat everyone the same. And so we started that interview and I said, ‘let’s treat Joe like he was with the Green Bay Packers.’ Brian Daboll we interviewed and he had been there four years prior (as Bills offensive coordinator). We know him pretty well and did the same thing,” Beane told Sirius/XM radio. “Just to make sure it was a level playing field. The thing about Joe, you feel his energy, you feel his presence. But he had a vision for our defense, for our whole team. This was a guy that had a holistic approach. Ultimately, he earned it, but it was not a foregone conclusion for sure.”
