Veteran NFL coach Dave Wannstedt has agreed to join the Buffalo Bills’ staff as assistant head coach, according to FoxSports.com. Wannstedt interviewed with the Bills last week and has a long relationship with Bills head coach Chan Gailey. Wannstedt interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their defensive coordinator position on Thursday. A Bills spokesman said Friday morning the team has nothing to announce at this time. (The Buffalo news)
Mind of Joe
I’m pretty surprised at the news of Wannstedt coming to Buffalo. From reading about the teams being interested in his services, you would think that taking a defensive coordinator job in San Diego or Cleveland would be a better fit, but I guess not. Anyways, I’m not complaining. I like the signing. The Bills haven’t had a former head coach join the coaching staff since Sam Wyche in 2004. Wannstedt, definitely knows a thing or two about defense, as he was coordinator for the Cowboys when they kicked our asses in Super Bowl XXVII, and were ranked number one in the NFL in 1992. As for the rest of his pro coaching exploits, the defenses that Wannstedt was either the head coach or coordinator for, are ranked in the following:
1989 Dallas Cowboys: Ranked 20th
1990 Dallas Cowboys: Ranked 10th
1991 Dallas Cowboys: Ranked 17th
1992 Dallas Cowboys: Ranked 1st
1993 Chicago Bears: Ranked 4th
1994 Chicago Bears: Ranked 13th
1995 Chicago Bears: Ranked 19th
1996 Chicago Bears: Ranked 12th
1997 Chicago Bears: Ranked 12th
1998 Chicago Bears: Ranked 14th
1999 Miami Dolphins: Ranked 5th
2000 Miami Dolphins: Ranked 6th
2001 Miami Dolphins: Ranked 5th
2002 Miami Dolphins: Ranked 3rd
2003 Miami Dolphins: Ranked 10th
2004 Miami Dolphins: Ranked 8th
(Note: The years marked in italic are the years that Wannstedt was the head coach)
Hmmm…can we fire George Edwards? I kid, I kid, but you have to be impressed with the stats. 11 times a Dave Wannstedt team was ranked in the top 12 in defense, and never less than 20th overall. A couple of things that stand out to me is that the pressure is going to be on Edwards. If he flounders next year, you can bet that Wannstedt would be the man waiting in the wings. Also, as an NFL coach, Wannstedt has never coached a 3-4 defense. I’m not sure if that’s going to be a big deal, but it’s worth noting. Then again, he’s only the linebackers coach. Either way, I’m happy with the hiring, as I’m sure he’ll get a say in gameplans and what not.
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