Buffalo Bills assistant coaches and their impact on the offense
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Daboll
Brian Daboll turned himself into a prime candidate for a head coaching position because of what he has been able to do as offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills. The relationship that Daboll has been able to build with Allen has bloomed a special connection that rivals any duo in the NFL.
Daboll not only was able to help Allen improve every season to the blooming star that he is but also improve himself as coordinator and play-caller. Daboll and Allen grew together and their connection is part of what made them both successful.
"The Bills are just the second team in NFL history to record 20 first downs in every single game of the season."@SharpFootball explains why Josh Allen and OC Brian Daboll's relationship was 🔑 to the Bills' historic 2020 success. pic.twitter.com/euRLSiVwSn
— NBC Sports EDGE Betting (@NBCSportsBet) January 6, 2021
Brian Daboll came by way of two of the greatest coaches in football in his two stops previous to Buffalo spending four seasons as the New England Patriots tight ends coach under Bill Belichick followed by a stop in Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Nick Saban. Daboll arrived in Buffalo the same season as Allen and both have made massive leaps since. Daboll struggled nearly as much as Allen in his first season. With limited talent, Daboll was never able to get the Bill’s offense rolling and Buffalo finished with only six wins.
Just as many have seen Allen improve Daboll has as well. His play calling in Allen’s second year was much more geared to Allen’s positive skills and habits as opposed to his bad ones. Daboll was able to make another massive positive jump in his play-calling ability in 2020. With adequate weapons to work with such as Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley Daboll was able to create one of the more dangerous and efficient passing offenses in the NFL. While Allen still had minor hiccups throughout the season Daboll was able to make sure that Allen never got too high or too low on himself.
Daboll is likely in line to be a head coach in the NFL very soon. Last season Daboll won NFL Assistant of the Year putting him on the radar for teams that need head coaches in the future. Luckily for the Bills, Daboll and Allen get another year together. If you believe in basic trends then do not be surprised if the duo keeps moving in the right direction and getting even better.
While Daboll was incredible in 2020 there still are areas he can improve. First, the Bills struggled to run the ball effectively when they needed to. While this is also partly due to the lack of top-tier talent at running back Daboll needs to be able to dial up some very quality run plays in 2021 to improve the Bills ground attack. While Buffalo will be a pass-first offense and it is no secret in the modern NFL running the ball is necessary and a big area where Daboll can improve.