Archives for January 14, 2004

‘On other levels, though, it just doesn’t seem to be a truly good fit. The Bills needed a veteran coach who would come in and establish things right away. There will be little time for learning on the job, which is exactly what Mularkey is going to have to do. The Bills are a team of talented, even playoff-caliber veterans who simply, honestly need to be pointed in the right direction. A coach such as Fassel or Jauron would have been more capable of pointing the team in the right direction than Mularkey.’

‘The hiring of Mularkey could also have an impact on the Bills defense, as it’s expected Bills Assistant Head Coach Dick LeBeau would remain on the Bills staff. LeBeau was in Pittsburgh Tuesday talking with Steelers coach Bill Cowher about the Steelers defensive coordinators position. Currently, Jerry Gray remains the Bills defensive coordinator, although there is speculation he’ll join former Bills coach Gregg Williams in Washington once it’s official Gray didn’t land the Bills head coaching job.’

‘In 2001, Mularkey’s first as coordinator, Pittsburgh had the league’s top rushing attack and the third-ranked overall offense. That year the Steelers posted a 13-3 regular season record, won the AFC Central title and advanced to the AFC Championship Game. The next year, Pittsburgh had the league’s fifth-ranked overall offense and again won the division crown.’

‘Mularkey was named Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator on January 5, 2001 after five seasons as Pittsburgh’s tight ends coach. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.’

‘The 42-year-old traveled to Detroit on Tuesday to meet with Bills owner Ralph Wilson one final time to discuss the job vacancy. He met with the Bills last Wednesday to first discuss the opportunity.’

Mularkey becomes the 13th coach in the team’s history.

‘He will be introduced tomorrow at 4:00 in Orchard Park.’

The Buffalo Bills have a new head coach..Mike Mularkey. 7 Sports has confirmed that Mularkey, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator was offered the job after meeting with Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson earlier tonight.

“The Bills have agreed to terms on a contract that will make Mike Mularkey the 13th head coach in team history.’

Team owners Art Modell and Ralph Wilson Jr. did not make the list.

Neither did Steve Tasker, Bills special teams star.

‘”There is no deal that is done,” Bills’ spokesman Scott Berchtold told The Associated Press on Wednesday. He would not say if Mularkey was the favorite to replace Gregg Williams.’

‘He spent the 2003 season as the assistant head coach for the Buffalo Bills, and while he was involved with the defense, it wasn’t at the level he wanted it to be. “I coordinated last year, but not completely,” said LeBeau. “I think this would be a better situation. I didn’t call the game. I had input but didn’t really call the game. That’s the part of the game that I missed.”‘

‘LeBeau, a former Ohio State star who’s been in the NFL 31 years as player or coach, wants the chance to call his own plays as a coordinator. Ironically, LeBeau may be a candidate in Buffalo if the Bills hire Steelers offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as their new head coach. Or LeBeau may return to Pittsburgh, where the job is apparently his if he wants it. “I had input but I really didn’t call the game,” LeBeau said of his duties in Buffalo. “That’s the part I missed the most. So I think this would be a better situation (in Pittsburgh).”‘

‘Is he just what the Buffalo Bills need? It looks like Bills fans may get to find out, because Mike Mularkey is close to a deal that would make him the Bills’ new head coach.’

‘It’s believed Mularkey will try to retain Bills assistant head coach Dick LeBeau as defensive coordinator. LeBeau interviewed for the defensive coordinator post in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. If LeBeau stays in Buffalo as defensive coordinator, that would leave no room for Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. However, if Gray were not retained by Buffalo, he may be a candidate for another defensive coordinator job in the NFL.’