Sean McDermott should be Coach of the Year

[Boatdrinks]

Coaching a SuperBowl favorite will likely take him out of consideration. I would vote for Bryan Daboll- that turnaround has been pretty incredible with not a ton of talent. 

[Watkins101]

22 minutes ago, ArtVandalay said:

Only if he wins the Super Bowl. 

 

As of now it is Sirianni.

Pretty sure it’s decided before the Super Bowl.

[WotAGuy]

I agree with the premise of the OP. Usually, a team’s overall record or their improvement over a year’s time earns COY. But there have been some unique circumstance and challenges that Sean has had to navigate that the other contenders have not had to deal with. Ever. 
 

On that basis, Sean has definitely done the most amazing job of all the contenders. His team is meeting all preseason expectations despite many unique and difficult circumstances.  

[BillsVet]

3 hours ago, Coach Tuesday said:

As some of you know I’ve been pretty critical of McD.  I’ve called him a turnaround specialist but not a championship coach, have criticized his approach to roster construction, and have been displeased (to say the least) with some of the coaching strategy (X’s and O’s) and gameday decision-making.  I thought he was a bit of a phony; I may have even referred to him as a gym teacher.

 

And while prior to this weekend there certainly were some challenges to navigate this season like a slew of injuries, a blizzard relocation, and some funky scheduling quirks, those things didn’t strike me as too far beyond the norm for an NFL team and its head coach.

 

That all changed for me this week.  First it was watching him pace the sideline when Damar was on the ground - you could see him muttering to himself (“okay, okay, okay”), as he tried to figure out how to lead a group of men through an unprecedented situation on the national stage.  He collected himself and took his team off of the field.  Since then, the stories that have come out - McD telling Taylor he needed to be at the hospital instead of coaching the rest of the game, and just generally staying calm and putting his players first - have just floored me.  
 

Sean McDermott is the embodiment of leadership.  And great leadership - the good kind (the reluctant kind IMO) - is both rare and difficult.  He is the ultimate leader of men and there is no one more deserving of NFL Coach of the Year than him.  Not that I have a vote, but if I did, it would be a no-brainer choice.  No matter how the season ends up.  If Nick Siriani wins Coach of the Year over Sean McDermott, the whole thing is a joke.

 

That is all.  Off my soapbox.

 

If the reports are true that some league flunky wanted to give the teams 5 minutes to warm up after Hamlin left for the hospital, then kudos to McD for saying no to that insanity.  That took a lot of emotional intelligence to consider the gravity of the situation, look at his players, realize they can't go now, and then to get them out of there.  A great leader always knows to be situationally aware enough to read the people in his organization and know where he needs to be.  McD did that as well as anyone can expect given what happened.   

 

In probably the most crucial moment as a leader of men he showed me a lot of character.  Can never take that away from him.    

Edited January 5, 2023 by BillsVet

[US Egg]

Screw McD COY.

 

It’s Nobel or bust.

[Scott7975]

Should be and should have been years ago for ending the drought.  He wont be though.

[AlfaBill]

If Coach McD can keep the team focused and perhaps beat the Pats* and say make it to the AFCC game, win or lose he should be COY 

[34-78-83]

McD is quite clearly a great leader of men. Indisputably so. Nobody could ask for more in that area. He cares genuinely for his guys and has their backs.

 

I find that McD's special gift above all other head coaches currently out there is his ability to evolve. He looks inward for continuous improvement, on a week to week, and year to year basis, and he never fails to improve.

 

What many don't realize is he also has become one of the most analytically sound decision makers in the game, according to those sources that analytically measure such things, like when to go for it on 4th down, etc. It's truly amazing. You can certainly tell organically that he's improved in that area, annnnnd... He (at least at the point of a week or 2 ago when I heard one of the Bills reporters citing the rankings) was ranked 1st of 32 NFL head coaches. Such decisions are something that many of us criticized him for in the past, until he did something about it.

 

As recently as 4 days ago, I had Tomlin in my mind for clear cut coach of the year (who has done more with less?) but with new circumstances applied, I could easily see it going to Sean.

Edited January 5, 2023 by 34-78-83

[Buffalo Junction]

I’d be a bit miffed if it went to Sirianni. That Eagles team has been blessed most of the season when it comes to adversity. In the past two weeks they’ve shown the inability to overcome injuries or adapt their gameplan for them….

 

The award should go to Daboll, Shanahan, Campbell, or McDermott. All four have overcome obstacles that other coaches simply haven’t successfully faced this season; whether that’s a franchise turnaround, tragedy, or injuries. The best coaches face adversity and overcome by leading men through the storm. That should be the mark for coach of the year. 

[Boatdrinks]

38 minutes ago, Buffalo Junction said:

I’d be a bit miffed if it went to Sirianni. That Eagles team has been blessed most of the season when it comes to adversity. In the past two weeks they’ve shown the inability to overcome injuries or adapt their gameplan for them….

 

The award should go to Daboll, Shanahan, Campbell, or McDermott. All four have overcome obstacles that other coaches simply haven’t successfully faced this season; whether that’s a franchise turnaround, tragedy, or injuries. The best coaches face adversity and overcome by leading men through the storm. That should be the mark for coach of the year. 

Not to mention a pretty easy schedule that was pointed out on this board by Eagles fans as a sure ticket to an undefeated season. There are far more deserving candidates than Sirianni. 

[JoPoy88]

5 hours ago, Coach Tuesday said:

As some of you know I’ve been pretty critical of McD.  I’ve called him a turnaround specialist but not a championship coach, have criticized his approach to roster construction, and have been displeased (to say the least) with some of the coaching strategy (X’s and O’s) and gameday decision-making.  I thought he was a bit of a phony; I may have even referred to him as a gym teacher.

 

And while prior to this weekend there certainly were some challenges to navigate this season like a slew of injuries, a blizzard relocation, and some funky scheduling quirks, those things didn’t strike me as too far beyond the norm for an NFL team and its head coach.

 

That all changed for me this week.  First it was watching him pace the sideline when Damar was on the ground - you could see him muttering to himself (“okay, okay, okay”), as he tried to figure out how to lead a group of men through an unprecedented situation on the national stage.  He collected himself and took his team off of the field.  Since then, the stories that have come out - McD telling Taylor he needed to be at the hospital instead of coaching the rest of the game, and just generally staying calm and putting his players first - have just floored me.  
 

Sean McDermott is the embodiment of leadership.  And great leadership - the good kind (the reluctant kind IMO) - is both rare and difficult.  He is the ultimate leader of men and there is no one more deserving of NFL Coach of the Year than him.  Not that I have a vote, but if I did, it would be a no-brainer choice.  No matter how the season ends up.  If Nick Siriani wins Coach of the Year over Sean McDermott, the whole thing is a joke.

 

That is all.  Off my soapbox.

 

 

there’s been very good coaching stories (daboll for one) but the adversities McD has faced…whoa. Yes i agree he deserves it.

[KHAN]

Feel blessed to have Terry, Kim, Brandon and Sean leading my favorite team.

 

Nothing but personal admiration for all of them.

[Matt_In_NH]

Pretty cool for a gym teacher to completely turn an organization around, have it's highest winning percentage in the teams history, go from perennial door mats to perennial contenders, winning three straight division titles.  It's amazing he did that while not understanding X's and O's, in game management or how to build a roster.  He demonstrated no leadership until Monday night.  The idea he went from gym teacher to embodiment of a leader in a moment is ludicrous.  Your criticism of him is unwarranted.  I do understand as fans we can question things but to call him a gym coach is nonsense.   If you experienced the drought and now what we have today and cannot be happy to be on this ride then you will never be happy.....and I get it they need to bring a Lombardi home....this team can do that.

[Manther]

12 hours ago, HOUSE said:

This has been an agonizing season and that has to come into play.

The circumstances may get him the votes.

McDermott has risen through adversity over and over and over again.  Knox's brother passing in preseason, more than an average amount of injuries, the Miami heat game, the blizzard and relocated game, 3 losses all 3 points or less, Cinci and Damar game.

 

The way he led this team through everything is extremely impressive.

 

Many coaches could be considered.  I think McD deserves it this year!  He really earned it!

[BigBuff423]

Coach Tuesday, I completely disagree with your original thoughts / opinions regarding Sean McDermott as a Head Coach, but that's why these are opinions. I will say I thought McDermott has been a strong C.O.Y. candidate a couple times since his arrival in 2017, but this year is certainly one that is his most deserving.

 

Greatness is born out of the crucible of hardship and opportunity. McDermott came out of that showing his ability to lead in a moment of crisis, maintaining focus on the issues that truly matter and seizing a moment to demonstrate incredible conviction of character. His integrity was put on a national stage and he didn't blink. He stood by what he thoroughly believed was right for his player, his team, and his identity of self and the men followed. In their moments of anguish and fear, they followed him. That speaks volumes even as he's helped support his team to overcome the other monumental barriers to his team's success this year as others have mentioned in addition to coaching a strong team and helping them get through hard games. If weren't for a heat-stroke induced team in Miami, and slip of the fingers on a goal line, it's very possible the Bills would have already secured the #1 AFC seed two weeks ago. 

 

Remarkable job amidst the significant challenges the team has faced. In the end, for similar reasons but not quite the leap for the OP, I agree with Coach Tuesday as I'm sure many of us do...hand the man the award, he's earned it.

[Greg S]

If we keep it football related, then Daboll should win. To get 9 wins and a WC with that team is remarkable. They do have some talent on defense, but they suffered injuries on that side of the ball. On offense it's basically Barkley and nothing else.

[Donuts and Doritos]

Agree 100%. McD should coach this team as long as he wants to. He's guided them through tons of adversity this season, but Monday night was something else. To pull his team off the field & tell the NFL we're not playing takes balls. He put his players first. He just earned every benefit of the doubt with me. Nothing but respect for that guy. (Taylor too)

[ArtVandalay]

9 hours ago, WotAGuy said:

Why doesn’t Sirianni have to win the Super Bowl to win COY like Sean does?

Because the Bills were super bowl favorites this year, they are an established team and front runner. COY doesn't fall short of expectations. 

 

Eagles are a much improved team and actually have haf a better record than the Bills throughout the year. They are about to clinch #1 seed despite losing their starting QB. He's an offensive coach and they have even put up more points than us despite us having Josh Allen. What he's done with Hurts development is incredible. 

[Billsfan1972]

McD has handled the situation brilliantly.  

 

However COY is not what this is about.  

 

As per Wikipedia (yes I googled Criteria for NFL COY)

 

The National Football League Coach of the Year Award is presented annually by various news and sports organizations to the National Football League (NFL) head coach who has done the most outstanding job of working with the talent he has at his disposal.

 

 

[Coach Tuesday]

1 hour ago, Matt_In_NH said:

Pretty cool for a gym teacher to completely turn an organization around, have it's highest winning percentage in the teams history, go from perennial door mats to perennial contenders, winning three straight division titles.  It's amazing he did that while not understanding X's and O's, in game management or how to build a roster.  He demonstrated no leadership until Monday night.  The idea he went from gym teacher to embodiment of a leader in a moment is ludicrous.  Your criticism of him is unwarranted.  I do understand as fans we can question things but to call him a gym coach is nonsense.   If you experienced the drought and now what we have today and cannot be happy to be on this ride then you will never be happy.....and I get it they need to bring a Lombardi home....this team can do that.