Checking Sean McDermott’s Coaching
Fire the coach. Who are we talking about? Eternally calm fans want a supervisor change after every whooping, close loss, narrow win, and the occasional inflicted blowout. Demand a job loss following unsatisfactory plays for thoroughness.
The impulsive overreaction every fan reflexively exercises shows why they’re not general managers. But the urge is understandable even if professionals control it. Continual employee evaluation maintains success. The process doesn’t cease even after 2024’s biggest regular season win for not just the Bills but any NFL team.
A week off to ponder if Sean McDermott should have every week off didn’t fill the whole time. The Buffalo Bills certainly found the notion preposterous. But considering the status of a 9–2 team’s coach keeps things fresh.
Evaluating every position doesn’t mean presuming everyone should be replaced. That includes the quarterback even if you can conclude you’re fine faster than you can answer. A thought experiment keeps scientific thinking active.
It’s not like Brandon Beane is wondering if he can lure Bill Belichick off television. The difference between should and will sums up approximately everything. Comparing hopes to outcomes certainly applies to cheering for Buffalo teams.
Avoiding risk has been risky. The timidness that’s plagued McDermott is the one thing that justifies considering the tenure of a Super Bowl-contending coach. Every fan is acutely aware of how often this team plays down to its competition. The lack of focus seems evident from someone who sometimes only seems intense.
But like how winning the presidency means no sweatpants all day, there are drawbacks with even the most appealing outcomes. The free market test of desirability involves thinking whether he’d get another job of the same category. Being a coordinator again is fine even if it’d seem like a demotion. But McDermott would be a head coach for a second team about as soon as he wanted.
McDermott will have the chance for a lateral move someday presuming he’s not Buffalo’s coach for life. Trying to figure out what Terry Pegula is thinking is like guessing what Josh Allen will do. The owner sure doesn’t seem as interested in winning championships as fans.
McDermott looks particularly impressive in comparison to the Sabres. To be fair, using that benchmark makes anyone seem competent. Don Granato will always be able to say he was an NHL head coach thanks to the one organization that would give him a chance. He looked competent compared to Ralph Krueger, which is the Sabres standard. I was going to try to not laugh at the notion of him ever being a respectable hire, but he deserves every bit of enmity. Phil Housley still awaits another head coaching chance that may take as long as it did to get his first. Dan Bylsma is Seattle’s problem, while Ted Nolan remains the one person ripped off twice.
The incumbent is also elevated by holding him next to others who’ve technically been at his level. Loudmouthed Rex Ryan had quiet results. Doug Marrone is a prototypical Jacksonville coach who went 23–43 including a one-win season, although he’ll always have a playoff win over his previous employer. Chan Gailey and Dick Jauron ended their careers without their respective consents after Buffalo stints. Mike Mularkey became another awful Jacksonville coach and mediocre one in Tennessee who has claimed to retire voluntarily. Meanwhile, Gregg Williams served as Cleveland’s interim coach in the only bounty he’s claimed. Create gratitude by lowering expectations.
McDermott is at worst the fourth-best coach in franchise history. The incumbent has amassed the second-most wins for Buffalo and the highest winning percentage if you’re looking for an objective metric. But his high ranking is by default because of how woeful the Bills have traditionally been. It’s condemnation of a team that once let Hank Bullough roam its sidelines. Encourage gratitude by noting what’s no longer aching.
Is good good enough? Buffalo should mind the Tony Dungy precedent where a coach achieved tremendous success that nonetheless was insufficient. Following this team has certainly grown more pleasant since the drought ended thanks to McDermott’s agricultural expertise. But this year will provide a more definitive answer about whether he is better suited for developing a dreadful squad into a respectable one than finishing the task.
The Bills could be in a relationship that’s fine but not thrilling. The natural fear of ending up with someone worse will remain natural as long as time moves forward. A club that has to prove it can advance past the semifinals has every right to wonder whether they’re settling for a situation that’s merely fine.
The real coach will remain a few yards behind the center. The difference between the Sabres and Bills is Allen. Winning games on his lonesome doesn’t take that much guidance. The sense that McDermott is not only lucky to coach Buffalo’s best quarterback ever but occasionally also restrains him is something that continually needs to be disproven.
This is the only Josh. The sadness in uniqueness is not to inspire sadness but encouragement to appreciate a singular moment. Calling this a generational opportunity is an understatement. If you thought there was regret beforehand, think about squandering this era. The nightmare scenario should be brought to mind only to think of ways to avoid it.
The nature of sports means you’re unable to change results aside from the occasional false start penalty and social media clamor to trade oafs that affects impressionable general managers. That’s true unless you are Sean McDermott. He could do Buffalo the greatest favor possible by just taking a couple more steps.
