NFL coaching hires: Who succeeded, who failed?

2. Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills

The Bills look like a dysfunctional organization from the outside, despite the owners stern refuting of that idea. But they may have lucked into the right man to be their next head coach, as McDermott comes to upstate New York after six seasons as Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator.

McDermott also worked as disciple of Jimmy Johnson with the Philadelphia Eagles before taking over as defensive coordinator when Johnson’s health declined. He carried that aggressive scheme with him to Carolina, and routinely adjusted well to the talent he had available during his tenure there.

McDermott comes with a defensive acumen like his predecessor Rex Ryan, but the similarities pretty much end there. After early indications Anthony Lynn would be the Bills’ new head coach, general manager Doug Whaley deserves some credit for leading a search that yielded McDermott.