'He wants to win the whole damn thing:' Inside the Buffalo Bills' decision to hire Joe Brady as HC
The closer you look, the more it's crystal clear why Terry Pegula, Brandon Beane and the Bills replaced Sean McDermott with Joe Brady. We take you inside the interview process at Go Long.
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ORCHARD PARK, NY — Before the news lit up your cell phone, Brandon Beane knew for damn sure many of you would not be happy. He was briefed on public perception. Many outsiders would inevitably view the announcement of Joe Brady as the next Buffalo Bills head coach as status quo. Safe. Brady was the familiar name, the author of wide-receiver screens making fans go hoarse with rage.
All while the organization was being scolded by talking heads over words in a press conference.
All while the firing of Sean McDermott was treated as a national tragedy in the 716. There were petitions signed, ice sculptures erected and even one local news segment featuring a psychologist explaining how players could possibly cope with the loss of their coach.
Beane, of course, became the source of rampant and ravenous conspiracy theories.
The instinct for anyone in Beane’s position — promoted to director of football operations — is damage control. Seek the PR win. Grovel to all gripping pitchforks.
At 10 a.m., the Bills conducted that viral presser bastardized ‘round the sports world. At 1 p.m., they met with Brady for four hours. They met with eight more candidates, Zoomed with Brady once more and offered the 36-year-old offensive coordinator the job. We’re sitting inside an office at One Bills Drive after the dust settles and Beane admits he still hasn’t caught his breath. About an hour into conversation, I relay approval ratings to him. One poll conducted by a media outlet in town revealed 8 percent of fans liked the hire. Another was stuck on 7 percent before inching up to 8 percent.
Beane doesn’t look surprised at all.
He knew there would be intense backlash. He’s been here before.
“And to me?” he says. “Fuck the outside. It’s about the right selection for this team. And if we win, they’ll love it. It’s the same thing I said when I took Josh Allen. If I’m wrong, the moving company will be at my house. So, I understand. And I’m not going to have regret of choosing someone to appease the outside if I thought it should have been something different. If I’m wrong, I’ll fucking take my job and fucking go home.
“I don’t want to be wrong — see him go somewhere else — when my gut told me it was Joe Brady. I’m never going to do that.
“I would love for everyone to cheer every move, but it’s not about winning the press conference. It’s about winning games over there.”
He points toward the Bills’ new stadium out the window.
He’s not done speaking on this matter.