Head Coaching Hunt

Following the firing of head coach Dick Jauron, Bill's defensive coordinator Perry Fewell stepped in as the team's interim head coach. With him now heading to run the defense for the New York Giants, the Bills have a vacancy at the Head Coaching position. Here are some of the top candidates to fill in for this position, in order of likelihood (from least to most likely):

Brian Schottenheimer: The son of Marty, who formerly coached the Browns, Chiefs, Redskins, and Chargers with a lifetime record of 200-126-1, Brian Schottenheimer is the current offensive coordinator of New York Jets. Because of his father's success and the pedigree his name comes with (along with having a great mind for football in his own right), people throughout the league feel that it's simply a matter of time before Brian Schottenheimer is given a shot to be a head coach.

Prior to becoming the Offensive Coordinator for the Jets, Brian worked under his father as the Quarterbacks Coach for the San Diego Chargers and had a lot to do with the success Charger's quarterback Philip Rivers is having in his 6th year at the professional level.

While Schottenheimer could one day end up becoming an amazing coach, his career won't be launching in Buffalo as last Thursday in an interview he stated, "It’s not about the Buffalo Bills, it’s about the New York Jets and how I feel about this organization. The biggest thing for me is the fact I’m happy. I haven’t always been happy.” Likelihood? Not going to happen.

Bill Cowher: In 1992, Bill Cowher was named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The previous year they had finished 7-9. In his very first season as a head coach, Cowher improved the Steelers to an impressive 11-5 season and a playoff appearance.

Cowher remained in Pittsburgh until the conclusion of the 2006 season. Under his run, the Pittsburgh Steelers had only three losing seasons, Ten playoff appearances, and one Vince Lombardi trophy.

For the Buffalo Bills, who haven't made the playoffs in a decade, Cowher would make an immediate impact and get the franchise back on the right track.

The problem however isn't a lack of interest on the Front Office's part, Cowher seems content with his current position as a sports analyst with CBS and has announced that if he does in fact return to being a head coach for next season it would be to a team with a capable quarterback. Criteria that Buffalo doesn't seem to have at this time.

Overall, Cowher should be on the top of every Bills' fan's wish list heading into the off season but don't hold your breath. Likelihood? Don't hold your breath. There have been conflicting reports on whether or not he is interested in coaching the 2010-2011 season and right now it's simply a giant question mark.

Mike Martz: Mike Martz is an interesting idea as a possible head coaching candidate for next season. The high point in his coaching career was from 2000-2003 when Martz was the man behind the "Greatest Show on Turf." The nickname for the explosive offense that contained future Hall-of-Famers Kurt Warner, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, and Marshall Faulk.

Martz never again saw any of the glory he had during his stint with the Rams. After a messy break-up with the St. Louis front office, Martz went on to be an offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and then the San Fransisco 49ers. Martz was let go by both organizations as they felt he was too, "Pass-Happy," and never had a top running attack at any of the teams he coached for.

Martz is currently available and actually has voiced that he would like to fill the head coaching vacancy the Bills currently have. Despite this, General Manager Buddy Nix and Owner Ralph Wilson haven't expressed the same enthusiasm and it doesn't seem like it's going to happen.

Likelihood? Only if nobody else wants the job. Again, there needs to be mutual interest and while Martz would like the job, Wilson doesn't seem to want him. At the same time, candidates are turning down opportunities to interview for the vacancy left and right. Martz only ends in Buffalo if nobody else wants the job.

Russ Grimm: Grimm is an interesting candidate. Russ has been coaching in the NFL since 1992 and, while getting close, has never had the opportunity to become a head coach.

Grimm was a top candidate for the Chicago Bears head coaching position in 2004 after firing Dick Jauron but they instead chose to go with Lovie Smith. Three years later, Bill Cowher resigned as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Grimm was again, a top candidate for the job but they instead elected to promote Mike Tomlin to head coach over Grimm.

Now, Grimm is the assistant head coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Everywhere Grimm has gone he has had success but his roles there have been minuscule. He has been around some brilliant minds so it's tough to guess how he would do given complete control over organization but the potential is definitely attractive.

Likelihood? Possible. After coming so close as many times as he has, Grimm will probably jump at any chance to be a Head Coach he gets. He is respected throughout the league and should be on Wilson's list of candidates if he's not already.

Leslie Frazier: Frazier was formerly the Defensive Coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals and is currently the same position for the Minnesota Vikings. While with the Bengals the defense saw some slight improvements and last year the Vikings were ranked #1 in rush defense, an area the Bills desperately need improvement.

Some knocks on Frazier is that he's always been a solid defensive coordinator but has never created an elite defense. With Cincinnati he never got the defense ranked higher than 19th overall and, while the Vikings defense has been great, it's mainly due to the star studded roster (including All-Pro players Pat and Kevin Williams, Jared Allen, and Antoine Winfield) and not his scheming.

Frazier also would need to hire a great offensive coordinator to make up for his lack of experience in that department.

Despite the setbacks, Frazier may actually be the top candidate for the job. He's the only coach (besides Shanahan and Cowher, Shanahan is now with the Washington Redskins) the Bills have interviewed and he would come relatively cheap. Also, at the end of the day, being the leader of the 6th ranked total defense in the NFL is quite the feat.

Likelihood? Higher than the other candidates, at least. Really, it's too early to tell for sure. At the moment he seems like the front runner but until playoffs are over and teams are able to interview who they want as they please it will all be no more than rumors and smoke screens.