Brandon Beane Clarifies Choosing Early Interviews Over Waiting for Super Bowl Candidates
The Buffalo Bills recently engaged in discussions with twenty candidates for their head-coaching position. However, they did not have the opportunity to interview Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. This was due to missing the virtual interview window during their bye week. If they had wanted to interview Kubiak or any coach still employed by a playoff team, they would have had to wait until after the Super Bowl. The Bills decided against this delay.
Brandon Beane’s Insights on Coaching Search
General Manager Brandon Beane addressed this decision during the introductory press conference for new head coach Joe Brady. Beane clarified, “Because of when this change was made and when we started our search, we were no longer allowed to talk to coaches that were still in the postseason.” He elaborated, explaining the need to begin the search process with candidates whose seasons had concluded.
This approach prevented the Bills from contacting coaches on teams still vying for the championship. Beane expressed concern about the fairness of delaying their search, stating that waiting could lead to adverse effects for both the candidates and the team.
A Cautionary Tale from Recent History
In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals faced challenges when they prematurely engaged with Jonathan Gannon, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, while his team was still in the playoffs. This incident underscored the complications linked to the current rules governing the coaching hiring process. Beane indicated that similar situations could jeopardize the Bills’ chances to secure key candidates, as other teams could also be interested in hiring them after the Super Bowl.
The Need for Process Reform
Beane has been vocal about the need to reform the hiring process. “I’ve long been a proponent of changing the hiring process,” he stated. He acknowledged that while he can propose changes, modifying the rules is not his responsibility. His primary objective remains to make the best decisions for the Buffalo Bills.
As the hiring process unfolded, Beane highlighted their commitment to finding the right candidate. “If we went through these nine candidates and felt we didn’t have viable options, we wouldn’t force it. But we had some very good choices,” he said.
The word “unfair” resonates throughout Beane’s comments. The existing timeline benefits neither the candidates with teams in the postseason nor the franchises trying to finalize their coaching selections. The ongoing playoff pursuits complicate the candidates’ aspirations to secure head coaching roles while also pursuing their goal of winning a Super Bowl.
