Renfield

I believe Lynn was dismissed a couple days after their season ended.

Looks like they first asked Bears LB coach Robert Babich to interview for the def coord job, but he declined the opportunity. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2308813

Ted accepted the Jets position before the Bills filled their HC job. I don't remember reading anything about Ted Cottrell claiming racism from the Bills. I could imagine some talk-radio yakker or another floating that around though. Teddy ran Phillips' base 3-4 okay when WP and TC were together, but isn't half as talented at schemes and adjustments as sonofabum. You might remember Wade taking the play calls back a few occasions during their partnership. Ted is a good guy, but post-Wade, his Ds have been very ordinary. If he returned to the Bills it should be in a step back to LB coach.

I know what ya mean, Macaroni. Of the two roles they might tap Jauron for, I'd be more disappointed if he was DC. He didn't impress me doing that job in the past. As a HC, the choice would be a downer, but I could still hope they compensate by hiring strong assistants to shape the identity and scheme of the O and D.

I voted no on your poll. Sure, I'd be rooting for the Bills to succeed, and for DJ to surprise me with competence, but I'd begin with faint hope. I rolled my eyes in amazement when Jauron landed his first HC gig back in 1999. There was a giant, leaguewide, "duuuuh?!" after the announcement. There was nothing remarkable about the 95 - 98 Jaguars defense to warrant DJ getting a job offer. Except for Chicago, there were no reports of other teams even bringing Jauron in for an interview. But heck, that was probably true for at least 3 of the 5 guys Chicago brought in that January to interview (Sherm Lewis, Joe Pendry, Dave McGinnis, Dick Jauron, Gunther Cunngingham). McCaskey was strictly considering second-teir guys. And Jauron still lost to McGinnis. There was that big hullaballoo when McGinness got steamed that they would announce him as head coach before contract terms were agreed upon. He walked away and Jauron was their second choice. I am hoping for April or Sherman.

Hey thanks for posting that excellent read. It gave me a real sense of the guy. I am impressed by his high character and ability to articulate his beliefs.

Coach April

Heck ya. Great choice considering his qualifications and the limits the Bills brass seem to want to operate under. I guess Special Teams coaches are overlooked, but in this case the GM doing the hiring began his NFL career as ST coach for the Rams and 'Skins. As Bills coach Marv always jawed about ST's importance. April's truly excelled at his coordinator position. The guy has been terrific! A Def. or Off. coordinator from any team in the league that had the top unit 2 years running would be a hot HC candidate right now. April deserves some interviews at the very least. His strats and play design have shined through time and again on things like surprise onsides, catty-cornered punts, wedge busting (see: peters), and of course k/p return blocking. He coaches with intensity and is respected by his players, who play with intensity. April's experience with the current team is another part of it. The Bills seem to have wanted to keep some continuity with Wyche, McNally, and a few other assistants. I think that and Wilson's hatred of contract-eating are the only reasons they tried to keep Mularkey around. Speaking of salary. For some reason Ralph likes to pay head coaches half what top assistants around the league are making. It boggles. But again that plays towards the choice of Bobby April, who wouldn't cost boku $$. There are other names I'd look to if the Bills threw around coaching staff money like the Fish or Redskins. Not likely. But a team could do a lot worse than a class act like Bobby April. I also think he could work well with Marv and learn a lot from the Bills last ST-background head coach.