List of Buffalo Bills head coaches
Encyclopedia
The Buffalo Bills
are a professional American football
team based in the Buffalo, New York
metropolitan area
. They are members of the Eastern Division
of the American Football Conference
(AFC) in the National Football League
(NFL). The Bills franchise was formed in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League
(AFL), before joining the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL merger
of 1970.
There have been 16 head coaches for the Bills franchise. Buster Ramsey
became the first head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 1960, serving for two seasons before being fired by Bills owner Ralph Wilson after the 1961 season. In terms of tenure, Marv Levy
has coached more games (182) and seasons (12) than any other coach in franchise history. He coached the Bills to four straight AFC Championships
from 1990–1993, but failed to lead the team to a victory in the Super Bowl
. One of Levy's predecessors, Lou Saban
, who coached the team on two separate occasions, led the team to the victories in the AFL championship in 1964 and 1965
. Three Bills coaches—Saban, Levy and Chuck Knox
—have been named coach of the year by at least one major news organization. Levy and Jim Ringo
are the only Bills coaches to have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
.
There have been five "interim" head coaches in Bills history. First, in 1968, head coach Joe Collier
was fired two games into the season and replaced by Bills personnel director Harvey Johnson
. Johnson did not serve as head coach the following season. Then, five games into the 1976 season, Saban unexpectedly resigned as head coach. He was replaced by Ringo, the team's offensive line coach. Ringo returned to coach the team again in the 1977 season. In October 1985, Kay Stephenson
was fired and replaced by assistant head coach Hank Bullough
. Just over a year later, Bullough was himself fired and replaced by Marv Levy, who had previously served as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Levy would then serve as Bills head coach for the next 12 seasons.
Following Levy's retirement, the Bills experienced limited success under a series of successive head coaches. Wade Phillips
, the Bills defensive coordinator for the last three years under Levy, took over head coaching duties for the 1998 season. Phillips served as head coach for three seasons, making the playoffs in his first two (the second of which was the last time the Bills made the playoffs). After Phillips' departure following the 2000 season, Gregg Williams
was named head coach. Williams served as coach for three seasons. At the end of the 2003 season, Williams' contract was not renewed. Mike Mularkey
was named as the new head coach for the 2004 season, leading the Bills to their first winning season since 1999. The Bills experienced less success under Mularkey during 2005, and Mularkey resigned as head coach at the completion of the 2005 season. The Bills then named Dick Jauron
as their head coach for the 2006 season. Jauron was the first coach since Levy's retirement with prior head coaching experience, having previously served as head coach of the Chicago Bears
and interim head coach of the Detroit Lions
. Jauron coached the Bills to three consecutive 7-9 seasons before being fired on November 17, 2009, nine games into the 2009 season. On January 19, 2010, the Bills named Chan Gailey as their next head coach.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
are a professional American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team based in the Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
. They are members of the Eastern Division
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
of the American Football Conference
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
(AFC) in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). The Bills franchise was formed in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
(AFL), before joining the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL merger
AFL-NFL Merger
The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 was the merger of the two major professional American football leagues in the United States at the time: the National Football League and the American Football League...
of 1970.
There have been 16 head coaches for the Bills franchise. Buster Ramsey
Buster Ramsey
Garrard Sliger "Buster" Ramsey was an American football player who starred at William and Mary and was the first head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills in 1960...
became the first head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 1960, serving for two seasons before being fired by Bills owner Ralph Wilson after the 1961 season. In terms of tenure, Marv Levy
Marv Levy
Marvin Daniel Levy is a former American and Canadian football coach, front office executive and author.He is a former professional football coach, in the CFL as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes , and in the NFL as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills , coaching the Bills...
has coached more games (182) and seasons (12) than any other coach in franchise history. He coached the Bills to four straight AFC Championships
AFC Championship Game
The American Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the American...
from 1990–1993, but failed to lead the team to a victory in the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
. One of Levy's predecessors, Lou Saban
Lou Saban
Louis Henry Saban was an American football player and coach. Saban played for Indiana University in college and as a pro for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference...
, who coached the team on two separate occasions, led the team to the victories in the AFL championship in 1964 and 1965
American Football League playoffs
From 1960 to 1968, the American Football League determined its champion via a single playoff game between the winners of its two divisions ....
. Three Bills coaches—Saban, Levy and Chuck Knox
Chuck Knox
Charles Robert "Chuck" Knox is a former American football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He is best remembered as head coach of three National Football League teams, the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills, and the Los Angeles Rams, serving two separate stints with...
—have been named coach of the year by at least one major news organization. Levy and Jim Ringo
Jim Ringo
James Stephen "Jim" Ringo was a professional American football player, a Hall of Fame center and coach. He was a ten time Pro Bowler during his career....
are the only Bills coaches to have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
.
There have been five "interim" head coaches in Bills history. First, in 1968, head coach Joe Collier
Joe Collier
Joel D. Collier is a former American football coach. He was head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills from 1966 through part of 1968, compiiling a 13–16–1 record....
was fired two games into the season and replaced by Bills personnel director Harvey Johnson
Harvey Johnson (coach)
Harvey Paul Johnson was an American football coach. He served two separate stints as the head coach for the Buffalo Bills, first in the American Football League and then in the National Football League. He first took the reins in 1968, when Joe Collier was fired one game into the season...
. Johnson did not serve as head coach the following season. Then, five games into the 1976 season, Saban unexpectedly resigned as head coach. He was replaced by Ringo, the team's offensive line coach. Ringo returned to coach the team again in the 1977 season. In October 1985, Kay Stephenson
Kay Stephenson
George Kay Stephenson is a former American college and professional football player and current coach, whose latter career has seen him work in four different professional leagues. Stephenson played quarterback for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills...
was fired and replaced by assistant head coach Hank Bullough
Hank Bullough
Henry Charles "Hank" Bullough is a former American Football player and coach. He played college football at Michigan State and graduated in 1954. Bullough was a starting guard for the Spartans team that won the 1952 Rose Bowl...
. Just over a year later, Bullough was himself fired and replaced by Marv Levy, who had previously served as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. Levy would then serve as Bills head coach for the next 12 seasons.
Following Levy's retirement, the Bills experienced limited success under a series of successive head coaches. Wade Phillips
Wade Phillips
Wade Allen Phillips is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and former head coach for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...
, the Bills defensive coordinator for the last three years under Levy, took over head coaching duties for the 1998 season. Phillips served as head coach for three seasons, making the playoffs in his first two (the second of which was the last time the Bills made the playoffs). After Phillips' departure following the 2000 season, Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams
Gregg Williams is the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Considered one of the most respected defensive minds in the game, Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes that put heavy pressure on opposing...
was named head coach. Williams served as coach for three seasons. At the end of the 2003 season, Williams' contract was not renewed. Mike Mularkey
Mike Mularkey
Michael Rene Mularkey is an American professional football coach and a former college and professional football player. He played college football for the...
was named as the new head coach for the 2004 season, leading the Bills to their first winning season since 1999. The Bills experienced less success under Mularkey during 2005, and Mularkey resigned as head coach at the completion of the 2005 season. The Bills then named Dick Jauron
Dick Jauron
Richard Manuel Jauron is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was the head coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2006 until November 2009. Jauron has previously held head coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and, on an interim basis, with the...
as their head coach for the 2006 season. Jauron was the first coach since Levy's retirement with prior head coaching experience, having previously served as head coach of the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and interim head coach of the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. Jauron coached the Bills to three consecutive 7-9 seasons before being fired on November 17, 2009, nine games into the 2009 season. On January 19, 2010, the Bills named Chan Gailey as their next head coach.
Key
| # | Number of coaches |
| GC | Games coached |
| W | Wins |
| L | Losses |
| T | Ties |
| Win% | Winning percentage Winning percentage In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win... |
| * | Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Pro Football Hall of Fame The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees... |
Coaches
- Note: Statistics are accurate through the 2010 NFL season2010 NFL seasonThe 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
.# Name Term Season Playoffs Awards Reference GC W L T Win% GC W L 1 Buster Ramsey Buster RamseyGarrard Sliger "Buster" Ramsey was an American football player who starred at William and Mary and was the first head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills in 1960...1960 1960 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1960 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s first season in the American Football League. Home games were played at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo, New York-1960 AFL Draft:...
–19611961 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1961 Buffalo Bills played in the Eastern division of the AFL. They went 6–8 and missed the playoffs.-AFL Draft:-Divisional standings:-Preseason:-Regular season:-References:...28 11 16 1 .407 – - - 2 Lou Saban Lou SabanLouis Henry Saban was an American football player and coach. Saban played for Indiana University in college and as a pro for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference...1962 1962 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1962 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s third season. During the offseason, the Bills hired Lou Saban as their new head coach. The Bills finished the season with a 7–6–1 record, good for third place in the AFL East.-AFL Draft:-Season schedule:...
–19651965 Buffalo Bills seasonBuffalo Bills 23, San Diego Chargers 0Scoring*BUF – Warlick 18 pass from Kemp *BUF – Byrd 74 punt return *BUF – Field goal Gogolak 11*BUF – Field goal Gogolak 39*BUF – Field goal Gogolak 32-AFL All-Star Game:...56 36 17 3 .679 3 2 1 1964 UPI AFL Coach of the Year
1965 UPI AFL Coach of the Year3 Joe Collier Joe CollierJoel D. Collier is a former American football coach. He was head coach of the American Football League's Buffalo Bills from 1966 through part of 1968, compiiling a 13–16–1 record....1966 1966 Buffalo Bills seasonKansas City Chiefs 31, Buffalo Bills 7The Bills went into the 1966 AFL Championship having already won the game the previous two years. Though the game was to be played in Buffalo, the visiting Kansas City Chiefs were three-point favorites, mainly because of their explosive and innovative offense...
–19681968 Buffalo Bills season-Offseason:* August 24: Bills sign Fullback Wayne Patrick.* August 27: Bills acquire future Buffalo Bills Head Coach Kay Stephenson from the San Diego Chargers for a Fifth Round Pick....30 13 16 1 .448 1 0 1 4 Harvey Johnson Harvey Johnson (coach)Harvey Paul Johnson was an American football coach. He served two separate stints as the head coach for the Buffalo Bills, first in the American Football League and then in the National Football League. He first took the reins in 1968, when Joe Collier was fired one game into the season...1968 1968 Buffalo Bills season-Offseason:* August 24: Bills sign Fullback Wayne Patrick.* August 27: Bills acquire future Buffalo Bills Head Coach Kay Stephenson from the San Diego Chargers for a Fifth Round Pick....26 2 23 1 .091 – – – 5 John Rauch John RauchJohn "Johnny" Rauch was an American football player and coach. He was head coach of the Oakland Raiders in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II in 1968.-Early life:...1969 1969 Buffalo Bills season-Offseason:*August 9, 1969: O.J. Simpson signs a four year contract worth $215,000.*August 20, 1969: The Bills acquired Marlin Briscoe.*August 25, 1969: George Flint and Tom Sestak both announced their retirements....
–19701970 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1970 Buffalo Bills season was the 11th season for the club and their first in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-References:* * *...28 7 20 1 .250 – – – – Harvey Johnson Harvey Johnson (coach)Harvey Paul Johnson was an American football coach. He served two separate stints as the head coach for the Buffalo Bills, first in the American Football League and then in the National Football League. He first took the reins in 1968, when Joe Collier was fired one game into the season...1971 1971 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1971 Buffalo Bills season was the 12th season for the club and its 2nd in the National Football League.For the second time in four seasons, the Bills finished with a 1-13 record. The season began in turmoil when coach John Rauch resigned, forcing pro personnel director Harvey Johnson to assume...14 1 13 0 .071 – – – – Lou Saban Lou SabanLouis Henry Saban was an American football player and coach. Saban played for Indiana University in college and as a pro for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference...1972 1972 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1972 Buffalo Bills season was the 13th season for the club and its 3rd in the National Football League. It was also their last season at War Memorial Stadium which has been their home field since 1960.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :...
–19761976 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1976 Buffalo Bills season was the 17th season for the club and its 7th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Awards and honors:...61 32 28 1 .533 1 0 1 6 Jim Ringo Jim RingoJames Stephen "Jim" Ringo was a professional American football player, a Hall of Fame center and coach. He was a ten time Pro Bowler during his career....
*1976 1976 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1976 Buffalo Bills season was the 17th season for the club and its 7th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Awards and honors:...
–19771977 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1977 Buffalo Bills season was their 8th in the NFL and 18th overall. The team improved on their previous season's output of 2–12, winning three games.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...23 3 20 0 .130 – – – 7 Chuck Knox Chuck KnoxCharles Robert "Chuck" Knox is a former American football coach at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He is best remembered as head coach of three National Football League teams, the Seattle Seahawks, the Buffalo Bills, and the Los Angeles Rams, serving two separate stints with...1978 1978 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1978 Buffalo Bills season was the 19th season for the club and its ninth in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-Passing:Note: Comp = Completions; ATT = Attempts; TD = Touchdowns; INT = Interceptions...
–19821982 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1982 Buffalo Bills season was the 23rd season for the club and its 13th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings: -References:* * *...73 37 36 0 .507 3 1 2 1980 Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year
1980 Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year
1980 Pro Football Weekly NFL Coach of the Year8 Kay Stephenson Kay StephensonGeorge Kay Stephenson is a former American college and professional football player and current coach, whose latter career has seen him work in four different professional leagues. Stephenson played quarterback for the American Football League's San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills...1983 1983 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1983 Buffalo Bills season was the 24th season for the club and its 14th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :-References:* * *...
–19851985 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1985 Buffalo Bills season was the 26th season for the club and its 16th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:* * *...36 10 26 0 .277 – – – 9 Hank Bullough Hank BulloughHenry Charles "Hank" Bullough is a former American Football player and coach. He played college football at Michigan State and graduated in 1954. Bullough was a starting guard for the Spartans team that won the 1952 Rose Bowl...1985 1985 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1985 Buffalo Bills season was the 26th season for the club and its 16th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:* * *...
–19861986 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1986 Buffalo Bills season was the 27th season for the club and its 17th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Week 1: vs. New York Jets:-Standings:-References:* * *...21 4 17 0 .190 – – – 10 Marv Levy Marv LevyMarvin Daniel Levy is a former American and Canadian football coach, front office executive and author.He is a former professional football coach, in the CFL as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes , and in the NFL as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills , coaching the Bills...
*1986 1986 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1986 Buffalo Bills season was the 27th season for the club and its 17th in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Week 1: vs. New York Jets:-Standings:-References:* * *...
–19971997 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1997 Buffalo Bills season was their 38th in the league. The team failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 10–6, instead finishing 6–10. The team missed the playoffs for only the second time in ten seasons.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:...182 112 70 0 .615 19 11 8
4 AFC championships (1990–1993)
1988 Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year
1988 UPI NFL Coach of the Year
1993 UPI NFL Coach of the Year11 Wade Phillips Wade PhillipsWade Allen Phillips is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and former head coach for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...1998 1998 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 1998 Buffalo Bills season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League. The season marked an important development in the Bills history as a quarterback controversy would consume the whole season between Rob Johnson and Doug Flutie. It would also mark the beginning of the...
–20002000 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2000 Buffalo Bills season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League. The Bills total offense ranked 9th in the league, and their total defense ranked 3rd in the league. It was the first time since the 1987 season that long time Bills members Bruce Smith, Andre Reed and...48 29 19 0 .604 2 0 2 12 Gregg Williams Gregg WilliamsGregg Williams is the defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Considered one of the most respected defensive minds in the game, Williams is known for running aggressive, attacking 4-3 schemes that put heavy pressure on opposing...2001 2001 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2001 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s forty-second season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams....
–20032003 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2003 Buffalo Bills season was their 44th in the league. The team failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 8–8, instead finishing 6–10...48 17 31 0 .354 – – – 13 Mike Mularkey Mike MularkeyMichael Rene Mularkey is an American professional football coach and a former college and professional football player. He played college football for the...2004 2004 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2004 Buffalo Bills season was their 45th in the league. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 6–10, finishing 9–7. However, this was the fifth straight season in which the team missed the playoffs....
–20052005 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2005 Buffalo Bills season was their 46th in the National Football League. The team was unable to improve upon their previous season's output of 9–7, instead finishing 5–11. This was the sixth consecutive season in which the team missed the playoffs....32 14 18 0 .438 – – – 14 Dick Jauron Dick JauronRichard Manuel Jauron is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was the head coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2006 until November 2009. Jauron has previously held head coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and, on an interim basis, with the...2006 2006 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2006 Buffalo Bills season began with the team trying to improve on their 5–11 record in 2005.-Offseason:General Manager Tom Donahoe was fired shortly after the end of the 2005 season. Marv Levy, who had coached the Bills from 1986–1997, was named as his replacement, with hopes that he would...
–20092009 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2009 Buffalo Bills season was the 50th Professional Football season for the original American Football League team, and its 40th in the NFL...57 24 33 0 .421 – – – 15 Perry Fewell Perry FewellPerry Fewell is an American football coach who currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator of the New York Giants. Before that he served as the interim head coach and defensive coordinator of the National Football League's Buffalo Bills...2009 2009 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2009 Buffalo Bills season was the 50th Professional Football season for the original American Football League team, and its 40th in the NFL...7 3 4 0 .429 – – – 16 Chan Gailey Chan GaileyThomas Chandler "Chan" Gailey, Jr. is an American professional and college football coach. Gailey is the current head coach of the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League ; he was formerly the head coach of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets college football...2010 2010 Buffalo Bills seasonThe 2010 Buffalo Bills season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League, and their 51st overall. It was Buffalo's first season with Buddy Nix in the role of general manager and head coach Chan Gailey....
-Present16 7 12 0 .368 – – –