Buffalo Bills to interview Oregon coach Chip Kelly for the head coach post – NFL News
Buffalo Bills are driving on fourth gear in their hunt for their next head coach and the next stop is Arizona where they will interview Oregon coach Chip Kelly on Friday, January 04, 2012.
Bills officials have been stationed since Tuesday, January 01, and have interviewed various candidates including the former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt as well as Cardinals’ current defensive coordinator Ray Horton during this week.
Whisenhunt was fired on Monday, December 31, the same day the Bills fired their head coach Chan Gailey after ending the season with a 6-10 record.
Bills are reported to have arranged interviews with former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.
However, Kelly looks to be more prominent of all the candidates Bills have on their list. Kelly took the Oregon side to a 35-17 victory over Kansas State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Thursday.
The coach has a 45-7 record with Oregon and has attracted interest from National Football League teams like Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.
However, Kelly has kept things covered in front of the media. After being asked about his future on Wednesday, January 02, Kelly said:
"I don't expect anything. I said this a million times. I'm never surprised by anything. I do not know what the future holds. I do know we have a football game tomorrow night and I'm going to be there."
Bills are desperate to finally get a long-term solution to their coaching woes as the team is working out to hire their fifth coach since the 2001 season.
Meanwhile, Bills current assistant general manager Doug Whaley, who is likely to be promoted to GM post in coming days, has more familiarity with coaches like Horton and Whisenhunt as he has worked with both of them in his time with Pittsburgh Steelers.
Talking about these two on Tuesday, Whaley said:
"We go way back. We've won some Super Bowls together, so I have high regard for their coaching acumen. I don't think it will make a decision on if they're going to be our coach, but I can shed some insight on how they performed when I was with them and as
persons."
Tags: