Two Bills Drive

‘The Buffalo Bills have hired Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as their 12th head coach. New Bills GM Tom Donahoe informed runner-up candidate Marvin Lewis, the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator, of the news via telephone about 1 p.m. ET, according to a source.’

‘Reportedly the top candidate, Lewis said there were family considerations that would weigh in any decision he makes to leave Baltimore, where he has been the Ravens’ coordinator the past five seasons.’

‘The Buffalo Bills have settled on Gregg Williams to be their new head coach, pending a contract being worked out. A news conference is expected to take place Friday in which Williams will be named head coach… Gregg Williams, the Titans’ defensive coordinator, is the surprise frontrunner for the Bills’ head coaching job.’

‘the only things clear about the Buffalo Bills’ coaching situation were that Tom Donahoe’s choice may be introduced to Ralph Wilson on Thursday for final approval and that Marvin Lewis’ agent doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut…’

‘The team has not yet announced when individual game and group tickets will go on sale. The 2001 home schedule will include games against the four AFC East rivals, along with Pittsburgh, Seattle, Carolina and New Orleans.’

‘Two well-placed front-office sources from NFL teams told The Buffalo News that Lewis’ interview with Bills President Tom Donahoe on Monday evening did not go well.’

‘Most surprising, Marvin Lewis, the defensive mastermind of the Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens, appears to have dropped out of the mix. There are a number of variables that have affected Lewis’s candidacy, including a significant raise he was recently offered by the Ravens’ owner, Art Modell.’

‘Phillips took Schottenheimer’s decision in stride. He has been the head coach of the Denver Broncos and the Bills, and has had great success as an NFL defensive coordinator. He interviewed with Schottenheimer on Monday and Tuesday, and received the news from Schottenheimer by telephone yesterday.’

‘Washington Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer yesterday picked his brother, Kurt, over Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator…’

‘This is as close as he’s ever been to a head job. Although speculation in Buffalo has Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis as the frontrunner, Fox remained hopeful based on his feeling about his interview with Bills GM Tom Donahoe.’

‘Fox had to put on a good face Tuesday, as he met with Buffalo GM Tom Donahoe for nearly five hours at the airport Hyatt Hotel near Pittsburgh. Fox came away feeling good about his interview but he knows he faces stiff competition for the Bills’ vacant head-coaching job.’

‘As of 9 p.m., Fox had not heard from the Bills, but earlier in the evening, another top candidate, Ravens defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, was told there would be no decision until today at the earliest.’

‘Schonert, who played for the Bengals and Falcons, joins Carolina after serving the past three seasons as Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach. With the Bills, he tutored Doug Flutie and Rob Johnson.’

‘Buffalo’s WIVB-TV, citing an undisclosed source in Nashville, reported Wednesday night the Tennessee Titans’ defensive coordinator is the choice of Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe.’

‘Williams has been on the Oilers/Titans’ staff since 1990, when he was hired as a defensive aide.’