Bills owner Terry Pegula has released a statement in which he essentially confirms that head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Doug Whaley will remain with the team for the 2016 season. While Ryan’s job had been considered fairly safe after just one year, there have been rumors that neither he nor Whaley was totally safe, but Pegula issued a strong vote of confidence for the duo today.
“Kim [Pegula], Russ [Brandon], and I look forward to working and collaborating with Doug Whaley and Rex Ryan in forming a winning future for the organization,” Pegula said (Twitter link). “Our management team and coaching staff are very capable and work well together. This stable foundation is necessary to achieve long-term success in the NFL.”
Pegula prefaced that statement by acknowledging that the Bills feel their expectations for the 2015 season were not met, so Ryan and Whaley will likely be under pressure to field a playoff team in 2016. For now though, it doesn’t appear there will be major changes in Buffalo.
Pegula’s statement comes on the heels of Bill Polian indicating that he’s not interested in leaving ESPN to take on a formal role within the Bills’ front office, despite informally offering suggestions and feedback to Pegula. It’s not clear whether or not the Bills owner had interest in officially adding Polian to his team’s front office.
Owner is clueless. Whaley no nothing about talent evaluation. Drafted EJ Manuel and wasted draft picks on Sammy Watkins.
*knows
As a Patriots fan I also think the should stay.
*they
Fire Dennis Thurman