Buffalo Bills Contact Mike Shanahan about coaching opening

[Buzzsaw]

Updated: November 18, 2009, 5:01 PM ET
Sources: Bills contact Shanahan
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By Adam Schefter
ESPN
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One day after firing Dick Jauron, the Buffalo Bills have wasted no time identifying a potential replacement.

Buffalo has contacted and is in the process of arranging a meeting with former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, according to two NFL sources.

Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, is said to be willing to listen to the Bills. He has said in the past that he is determined to return to the NFL next season.

While Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Broncos, is viewed within the Bills organization as a desired candidate, there are other names at or near the top of the team's wish list.

For now, the Bills have appointed defensive coordinator Perry Fewell as interim head coach. Fewell is well-respected within the organization and will be given every opportunity to earn the full-time job.

The Bills also will investigate options expected to include Florida Tuskers coach Jim Haslett and New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, both of whom have ties to the Bills.

Haslett played linebacker for Buffalo from 1979 to 1985. Gilbride was the Bills offensive coordinator during 2002-03, when quarterback Drew Bledsoe had his most productive seasons with the team.

Another candidate on the Bills radar is Marc Trestman, coach of the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, who posted a CFL-best 15-3 regular season record and has his team one win from the Grey Cup final. Ironically, Trestman once succeeded Shanahan as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

Adam Schefter is an ESPN NFL Insider.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/s...e=NFLHeadlines

[sect313]

shanahan + no elway =

[HessStation]

not good for the Jets with Shanahan in the Division.

[PatsFanTX]

If they give him 100% control, Mike Holmgren will be the next HC of the Bills.

[2milehighJet]

Originally Posted by HessStation

not good for the Jets with Shanahan in the Division.

great offensive mind, but terrible judge of talent on defense, hello Dwayne Robertson!!!

[HessStation]

Originally Posted by 2milehighJet

great offensive mind, but terrible judge of talent on defense, hello Dwayne Robertson!!!

Anyway you cut it I don't want him in the Division.

[2milehighJet]

Originally Posted by HessStation

Anyway you cut it I don't want him in the Division.

Agreed! Let them stick with the lead singer of Janes Addiction!

[MACPAC]

Originally Posted by HessStation

Anyway you cut it I don't want him in the Division.

I agree, behind Belichick I believe that Shanahan is the best.

Its to cold in Buffalo Shanny, run away.

[John_0515]

I think the Bills need a big name, so Shanahan, Cowher, Holmgren, and the big names are all going to be mentioned (whether they listen or entertain the offer or not). Getting a Lebeau-like coach will kill them.

[Dimitri_0515]

Originally Posted by MACPAC

I agree, behind Belichick I believe that Shanahan is the best.

Its to cold in Buffalo Shanny, run away.

He dealt with Denver weather, how much more difference is the weather in Denver than Buffalo? Hope he doesn't come to Buffalo. He doesn't look like a Buffalo guy.

[VincenzoTestaverde]

Originally Posted by 2milehighJet

great offensive mind, but terrible judge of talent on defense, hello Dwayne Robertson!!!

So what does that say about our FO? The Bills already have players on defense (Stroud, Schobel) their offense is a mess and Shanny is the right guy to fix it.

[DefenseWinsChampionships2]

I for one wouldn't wanna see Shanahan coaching the Bills here in the AFC East...No way.

Dick Jarun or however you spell his last name looks like a crack head; the man is a crack head.

Mike Shanahan? The man is a proven head coach and a head coach that would then bring winning ways to the Buffalo Bills, something I would rather say lets not and say we did.

[John_0515]

Originally Posted by Dimitri_0515

He dealt with Denver weather, how much more difference is the weather in Denver than Buffalo? Hope he doesn't come to Buffalo. He doesn't look like a Buffalo guy.

Shanahan looks like a Lord of the Rings guy:

[sameoldjets]

for the past couple of seasons it hasn't made any difference. the bills have done pretty well against the jets without shanahan.

Originally Posted by HessStation

not good for the Jets with Shanahan in the Division.

[sameoldjets]

i think he looks like jack palance. somehow shanahan always has a great sun tan even in the middle of winter.

Originally Posted by John_0515

Shanahan looks like a Lord of the Rings guy:

[MACPAC]

Originally Posted by Dimitri_0515

He dealt with Denver weather, how much more difference is the weather in Denver than Buffalo? Hope he doesn't come to Buffalo. He doesn't look like a Buffalo guy.

Belichick could not beat Shanahan. Go look at the games played between the Pats and Donkeys. But you are right, his eyes are to close together

[hatnlvr]

Originally Posted by HessStation

Anyway you cut it I don't want him in the Division.

+1
The guy is a great coach.

[JetsFanatic]

Originally Posted by PatsFanTX

If they give him 100% control, Mike Holmgren will be the next HC of the Bills.

Does Holmgren want to coach? I thought he was looking for a Parcells type gig.

[Ven0m]

I can see why the Bills would want Shanahan...

But why would Shanahan want the Bills? He has to know that if he just waits until after the season that 4-5 better job offers will be available, right? Teams with more talent, with better fan-bases, and in better cities.

[simijet]

I'd put my money on Haslett. Wilson has shown a tendency to hire guys who have failed in other situations (Phillips in Denver and Jauron in Chicago), and Haslett was a fan favorite while he was with the Bills. Another plus is he probably wouldn't demand full control.