Former Bills LB Jim Haslett (’79-’85) has landed The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award. Haslett is only in his first year of coaching the Saints and he guided them to the division title, despite a rash of injuries to his skill players. This is not the first AP award Haslett has won. He was the recipient of the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1979. An interesting side note is that NFC coaches have received the Coach of the Year award 17 times in the past 20 years.
BillsBeat - January 7, 2001
HOUSTON INTERVIEW MAKES LIMBO EASIER FOR COTTRELL
‘”It’s not easy, but I’ve been in this situation before,” Cottrell said. “It happened with the Cardinals on Joe Bugel’s staff before they hired Buddy Ryan (in 1993). There’s a lot of uncertainty. You just keep going until something happens. The bottom line is you can’t worry about things that you have absolutely no control over. That’s the situation here.”‘
ONE BILLS DRIVE MAY BE BURNING AS WILSON FIDDLES OVER DONAHOE HIRE
‘For the last decade, NFL rivals have considered the Bills a model franchise, a team to copy in their search for success. Right now, the Bills appear to be modeling themselves after the Cincinnati Bengals.’
BILLS FACE SERIOUS COMPETITION IN ATTEMPT TO RE-SIGN MOULDS
‘Those subtractions alone could put Butler and the Chargers in position to sign Moulds, but there would be serious competition for the Bills’ sole offensive superstar. The Green Bay Packers are homing in on Moulds as successor to Antonio Freeman, whom they don’t intend to re-sign.’
BillsBeat - January 6, 2001
Chargers' new GM doesn't wince when talking about wins
‘But Bills owner Ralph Wilson let Butler go last month when negotiations for a new pact stalled. "Don’t say fired," Butler asked. "That sounds like you didn’t do your damn job."’
Big boss's appetite takes in hunger to win
‘"I’m overweight," he says. "And I love football."’
Big man, big job
‘Butler, 54, said he’s a "big believer" in building through the draft. At one point in the 2000 season, 18 of Buffalo’s starters were drafted by the club. By contrast, only eight of the Chargers’ starters in their season finale were San Diego draftees.’
Donahoe says talks with Bills ongoing
‘And while his name surfaced for top personnel jobs with the New York Jets and Detroit Lions the past two days, Donahoe insisted his focus is still on Buffalo.’
Butler to bring old pal to S.D.
‘But it appears undisclosed NFL officials, interpreting language in the league’s anti-tampering policy, have determined that’s it’s unreasonable for the Bills to hold Smith to the final six weeks of his deal.’
Chargers pin their future on Butler
‘Of immediate concern is whether Butler will be able to bring along A.J. Smith, the Bills’ pro personnel director. Butler and Smith have worked together since the early 1980s. Smith is under contract to Buffalo through mid-February, and reportedly will be forced to serve out the time, unless the Chargers can get the NFL to intervene.’
Chargers name Butler vice president, GM
‘"It’s a big challenge," said Butler, who was fired by Buffalo on December 19 after 14 years with the team. "I’m going to tell you this, nobody is going to outwork us. I don’t like the word ‘lose.’ It’s not part of my vocabulary."’
Butler named Executive Vice President/General Manager
‘"John Butler knows what it takes to win in this league," said Spanos. "He’s had amazing success in the draft and has been responsible for building championship teams. His record in Buffalo speaks for itself.’
DONAHOE TALKS SLOW DOWN
‘However, it now has been 10 days since the first meeting between Wilson and Donahoe. If the Bills are anxious about striking a deal with the former personnel chief of the Pittsburgh Steelers, they don’t appear to be showing it.’
BillsBeat - January 5, 2001
The Chargers did it: Butler takes GM job
‘Once Butler became available —- after contract talks with Bills owner Ralph Wilson collapsed —- Spanos spurned other candidates and put Butler No. 1 on his list.’
John Butler comes on board as GM
‘Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson denied the Chargers permission to talk to Smith yesterday, but a source said San Diego will seek to overturn Wilson’s decision today by asking the commissioner’s office to review Smith’s contract.’