Two Bills Drive

'The Pegulas continued to believe in the integrity of their football structure, enough to keep Doug Whaley as their general manager after dumping Rex Ryan as their coach. They simply chose to fill the Ryan hole with Sean McDermott. Khan didn’t have the same trust that all was fine at the top. After showing Gus Bradley the door, he not only elevated Marrone from interim to full-time status, but he also made former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin executive vice president of football operations.'

'Ryan won the room that day when he took the microphone from owner Terry Pegula and his very first words were, “Is this thing on? Because it's getting ready to be on. And, that's the truth.” Which, of course, it wasn’t and he was canned inside of two years.'

'Castillo spent the past four seasons as the Ravens offensive line coach. A 22-year NFL coaching veteran, Castillo reunites with McDermott in Buffalo after spending time with him in Philadelphia. Castillo spent 18 seasons with the Eagles, filling the role of the team’s offensive line coach from 1998 to 2010 and then was the team’s defensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012. Castillo originally got his NFL start with the Bills, participating in the team’s Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship in 1992.'

'As for the new coach and the direction owner Terry Pegula and general manager Doug Whaley went in this time, holy smokes. It’s like they gave up margaritas and steaks and became teetotaling vegetarians.'

'“Outstanding move. I honestly believe Sean has what it takes to move forward pretty quickly when it comes to leading guys. Look at where he’s been and who he’s learned from in this league — Jim Johnson, Andy Reid and Ron Rivera. Those are three quality bosses to learn from."'

'"When you look at it, obviously the quarterback play in this league is critical," McDermott said. "I know– I actually just met Tyrod 10 minutes ago before we came down here, had a nice conversation. Really at this point, whether it's Tyrod's situation or any other position, let's not get ahead of ourselves right now in terms of those positions. I'm going to go through and evaluate every position group, every player the same way I do everything else, in a methodic nature. So with respect to specific players, Tyrod in this case, there will be a time for that. Right now, it's about this organization and 'we' and getting this thing looking the way it needs to look.'

'"This is a team effort," Whaley said. "We're working together to get this franchise to where we know it should be. It starts at the top. The Pegulas' mantra is we're working together, we're not working for them. And that perpetuates through every level of this organization."'

'The first people I want to address is the players, our players some of whom are here today. I am proud to be one of you, it is an honor to coach you and I look forward to doing this together. I understand the expectations that come with the job of this magnitude and I accept that challenge. I am looking to build a culture of winning and that starts insides these walls and extends to our community.'

'"Sean's a great coach, but he's an even better person. He is intelligent and very thoughtful. He's got natural leadership skills. The Buffalo Bills are in great hands under his leadership. It's been a pleasure knowing him over the years. I'm not surprised by this opportunity, and I won't be surprised by the success he has in Buffalo."'

'"First off, I think that all started with some false information printed in the national media about our organization," said Terry Pegula. "I've got to believe it's from people who have no idea what our organization's like or how we operate within. I honestly believe that. I disagree with their opinions, and I can tell you one thing: We had a lot of applications and people who wanted that coaching job with the Bills. So I don't know what these guys are writing about."'

'Having identified a head coach is one. Lynn, 48, will be looked upon to infuse an added toughness to a locker room with an ever-creative tendency to lose close games. Eighteen of the Chargers’ 23 losses the past two years were decided by a one-score margin, including nine of 11 this season.'

'“I know there’s a lot of work to be done and I’m going to give everything I have to the Chargers, the Spanos family and the City of Los Angeles.”'

'"I've gone to two Super Bowls. I know what that looks like and smells like and tastes like," he said. "I feel extremely confident with my ability to lead this franchise moving forward."'

'Lynn attracted extensive interest on the NFL job market, and the Chargers took a break from planning their move out of San Diego to secure a deal with him. Lynn becomes the first black coach in franchise history.'

'With 18 years of NFL experience as a coach, Frazier also served as a defensive coordinator with the Vikings prior to his elevation to head coach. He worked with McDermott in his first NFL job with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999.'