Buffalo Bills: Terry Pegula ‘All In’ with Sean McDermott
If there are any Buffalo Bills’ fans out there that still question where Sean McDermott stands within the eyes of Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, let today be your answer.
Today, Doug Whaley was relieved of his duties of general manager of the Buffalo Bills, a position he had held since May of 2013. Whaley had been with the organization since 2010, when he was hired to be Buddy Nix’s assistant GM and to oversee the pro personnel department.
Also among those given a pink slip today was the entire pro and college scouting staff. The firing comes about 12 hours after the Bills wrapped up their highly acclaimed draft.
Regardless if you think this was a good move by the Bills or not, one thing is clear: Terry Pegula is “all in” with Sean McDermott. Since Doug Whaley’s disastrous end of season press conference, he has not spoken on personnel topics. Sean McDermott has been the face of the franchise, the “one voice”, that Pegula wanted.
McDermott, not Whaley, spoke on behalf of the team at the scouting combine; he held a lengthy press conference during veteran mini-camp to discuss this year’s draft. This was in lieu of the Bills annual tradition of a pre-draft luncheon with the general manager. One Bills Drive has undergone aesthetic changes to represent McDermott’s motto and even this year’s marketing slogan “It Starts with One” is centered around the rookie head coach.
McDermott’s voice within the organization reached new heights this weekend; numerous reports indicate that he essentially ran the draft for the Buffalo Bills.
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What many may find interesting is just how quickly McDermott rose to power. Nearly 100 days ago Sean McDermott was a defensive coordinator. Since then, he has become the complete face, and future, of an organization that was in need of a fresh look.
During his introductory press conference on January 13th, Sean McDermott spoke of how he planned on running his football team. Two words that he continued to use that day were discipline and character.
Side stepping to Pegula’s other team, the Buffalo Sabres, on April 21st Pegula spoke publicly and addressed the firing of Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray and head coach Dan Byslma. In describing the direction he wanted to take with the Sabres, Terry said, “It’s how you win…all of these [discipline, communication, structure] go together with character.”
Hmmm…sound familiar? When I listened to that press conference and heard those words leave Terry’s mouth, my mind went to one person: Sean McDermott. We’ve heard those words before. In fact, we have heard those words often since McDermott was hired. Every time McDermott speaks, we are reminded that he is a detailed-oriented, thorough coach and leader.
Let’s all hope that Sean McDermott is the answer for the Buffalo Bills. Let’s hope that this time, this hire will be different than the rest. So far, so good. McDermott has run a tight ship; the players, fans and the media have all responded well over the past few months.
Terry Pegula is all in with Sean McDermott. The “McDermott model” of discipline, communication, structure and character has Terry convinced in just 3 short months. So much so, that he has mortgaged the future of two separate organizations, the Buffalo Bills and the Sabres, on McDermott’s philosophy.
Let’s hope that he made the right call.
Next: Twitter Erupts After Bills Draft Zay Jones
What do you think Bills fans? Did Pegula make the right move in letting go of Whaley? Is it too much power too soon for a first time head coach? Sound off below!