Bills promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach
Story by
Bills promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
After parting with one of the most established NFL coaches inSean McDermott, theBillsare turning to an upstart to lead the organization past what owner Terry Pegula called "the proverbial playoff wall."
TheBillson Tuesday agreed to a five-year deal to promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, the team announced.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Brady ascends to his first head-coaching role after leading the Bills' offense for the last two-and-a-half years. He helpedquarterback Josh Allen become the NFL's MVP in 2024, andBuffaloranked fourth in both scoring and total yards this season.
The Bills fired McDermott on Jan. 19 after a divisional-round loss to theDenver Broncos. McDermott went 98-50 during the regular season and made eight playoff appearances in his nine years in Buffalo, but he had just an 8-8 record in the postseason and never reached the Super Bowl.
New Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady talks during his introductory press conference at the Bills field house in Orchard Park on Jan. 29, 2026.
(Tina MacIntyre-Yee, Democrat and Chronicle)
Sean McDermott was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons, from 2017-2025. McDermott compiled a record of 98-50 during his tenure (.662 winning %). The Bills made eight playoff appearances during McDermott's tenure.
(Shawn Dowd, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
In the eight playoff appearances under Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills reached the AFC championship game twice (2020 and 2024 seasons). The Bills had an 8-8 record in playoff games under McDermott.
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
Anthony Lynn was interim head coach for the Buffalo Bills for one game during the 2016 season, a 30-10 loss to the New York Jets in the season finale. Lynn was elevated to the post following the firing of Rex Ryan.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)
Rex Ryan was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 2015 through 15 games of the 2016 season. Ryan compiled a record of 15-16 (.484 winning %) during his tenure.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)
Doug Marrone was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 2013-14. Marrone compiled a record of 15-17 (.469 winning %) during his tenure.
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
Chan Gailey was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 2010-12. Gailey compiled a record of 16-32 (.333 winning %) during his tenure.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)
Perry Fewell was interim head coach of the Buffalo Bills for seven games during the 2009 season following the firing of Dick Jauron. The Bills went 3-4 (.429 winning %) under Fewell.
(Kevin Hoffman, US PRESSWIRE)
Dick Jauron was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for four seasons, from 2006 through the first nine games of the 2009 season. Jauron compiled a record of 24-33 (.421 winning %) during his tenure.
(John David Mercer, US PRESSWIRE)
Mike Mularkey was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 2004-05. Mularkey compiled a record of 14-18 (.438 winning %) during his tenure.
(Matt Cashore, US PRESSWIRE)
Gregg Williams was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 2001-03. Williams compiled a record of 17-31 (.354 winning %) during his tenure.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
Wade Phillips was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 1998-2000. Phillips compiled a record of 29-19 (.604 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made two playoff appearances under Phillips, including losing the"Music City Miracle" wild-card playoff against the Tennessee Titans.
(RHONA WISE, AFP via Getty Images)
Marv Levy was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for 12 seasons, from 1986-1997. Levy compiled a record of 112-70 (.615 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made eight playoff appearances under Levy, including making an unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
Unfortunately for Marv Levy, the Buffalo Bills and their fans, the team was unable to emerged victorious in the Super Bowl. Still, the Bills were 11-8 (.579 winning %) in playoff games under Levy.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
Hank Bullough was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 1985-86, after taking over for Kay Stephenson following the first four games of the 1985 season. Bullough compiled a record of 4-17 (.190 winning %) during his tenure.
(George Rose, Getty Images)
Kay Stephenson was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 1983 through the first four games of the 1985 season. Stephenson compiled a record of 10-26 (.278 winning %) during his tenure.
(Manny Rubio, US PRESSWIRE)
Chuck Knox was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for five seasons, from 1978-1982. Knox compiled a record of 37-36 (.507 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made two playoff appearances under Knox.
(Darryl Norenberg, US PRESSWIRE)
Jim Ringo was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 1976-77 after taking over for Lou Saban following the first seven games of the 1976 season. Ringo compiled a record of 3-20 (.130 winning %) during his tenure.
(Dick Raphael, US PRESSWIRE)
Lou Saban was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons, from 1962-65 and again from 1972-76. Saban compiled a record of 68-45-2 (.601 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made three playoff appearances under Saban and won the 1964 and 1965 AFL championships.
(Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports)
1/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
New Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady talks during his introductory press conference at the Bills field house in Orchard Park on Jan. 29, 2026.
(Tina MacIntyre-Yee, Democrat and Chronicle)
1/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
New Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady talks during his introductory press conference at the Bills field house in Orchard Park on Jan. 29, 2026.
(Tina MacIntyre-Yee, Democrat and Chronicle)
2/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Sean McDermott was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons, from 2017-2025. McDermott compiled a record of 98-50 during his tenure (.662 winning %). The Bills made eight playoff appearances during McDermott's tenure.
(Shawn Dowd, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
3/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
In the eight playoff appearances under Sean McDermott, the Buffalo Bills reached the AFC championship game twice (2020 and 2024 seasons). The Bills had an 8-8 record in playoff games under McDermott.
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)
4/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Anthony Lynn was interim head coach for the Buffalo Bills for one game during the 2016 season, a 30-10 loss to the New York Jets in the season finale. Lynn was elevated to the post following the firing of Rex Ryan.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)
5/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Rex Ryan was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 2015 through 15 games of the 2016 season. Ryan compiled a record of 15-16 (.484 winning %) during his tenure.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)
6/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Doug Marrone was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 2013-14. Marrone compiled a record of 15-17 (.469 winning %) during his tenure.
(Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports)
7/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Chan Gailey was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 2010-12. Gailey compiled a record of 16-32 (.333 winning %) during his tenure.
(Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Sports)
8/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Perry Fewell was interim head coach of the Buffalo Bills for seven games during the 2009 season following the firing of Dick Jauron. The Bills went 3-4 (.429 winning %) under Fewell.
(Kevin Hoffman, US PRESSWIRE)
9/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Dick Jauron was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for four seasons, from 2006 through the first nine games of the 2009 season. Jauron compiled a record of 24-33 (.421 winning %) during his tenure.
(John David Mercer, US PRESSWIRE)
10/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Mike Mularkey was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 2004-05. Mularkey compiled a record of 14-18 (.438 winning %) during his tenure.
(Matt Cashore, US PRESSWIRE)
11/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Gregg Williams was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 2001-03. Williams compiled a record of 17-31 (.354 winning %) during his tenure.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
12/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Wade Phillips was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 1998-2000. Phillips compiled a record of 29-19 (.604 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made two playoff appearances under Phillips, including losing the"Music City Miracle" wild-card playoff against the Tennessee Titans.
(RHONA WISE, AFP via Getty Images)
13/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Marv Levy was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for 12 seasons, from 1986-1997. Levy compiled a record of 112-70 (.615 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made eight playoff appearances under Levy, including making an unprecedented four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
14/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Unfortunately for Marv Levy, the Buffalo Bills and their fans, the team was unable to emerged victorious in the Super Bowl. Still, the Bills were 11-8 (.579 winning %) in playoff games under Levy.
(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)
15/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Hank Bullough was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 1985-86, after taking over for Kay Stephenson following the first four games of the 1985 season. Bullough compiled a record of 4-17 (.190 winning %) during his tenure.
(George Rose, Getty Images)
16/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Kay Stephenson was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for three seasons, from 1983 through the first four games of the 1985 season. Stephenson compiled a record of 10-26 (.278 winning %) during his tenure.
(Manny Rubio, US PRESSWIRE)
17/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Chuck Knox was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for five seasons, from 1978-1982. Knox compiled a record of 37-36 (.507 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made two playoff appearances under Knox.
(Darryl Norenberg, US PRESSWIRE)
18/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Jim Ringo was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for two seasons, from 1976-77 after taking over for Lou Saban following the first seven games of the 1976 season. Ringo compiled a record of 3-20 (.130 winning %) during his tenure.
(Dick Raphael, US PRESSWIRE)
19/19
How have Bills head coaches fared through the years?
Lou Saban was head coach of the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons, from 1962-65 and again from 1972-76. Saban compiled a record of 68-45-2 (.601 winning %) during his tenure. The Bills made three playoff appearances under Saban and won the 1964 and 1965 AFL championships.
(Tony Tomsic, USA TODAY Sports)
Pegula cited the emotional fallout of the loss to the Broncos – particularly for Allen – as a driving factor in his decision to make a change. He noted that the reigning NFL MVP would be part of the group to choose the next head coach, with multiple reports indicating Allen had been involved in the team's interviews with candidates.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Brady also interviewed with theLas Vegas Raidersfor a second time on Monday night and spoke with several other teams regarding their head-coaching vacancies.
Among the other contenders for the Bills' vacancy were formerNew York Giantshead coach Brian Daboll, Broncos passing game coordinatorDavis Webb,Los Angeles Ramspassing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase andJacksonville Jaguarsoffensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
