Buffalo Bills Hires Williams as Coach

B U F F A L O, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2001 -- Gregg Williams, the Tennessee Titansdefensive coordinator, has been hired as the Buffalo Bills nexthead coach, The Associated Press has learned.

Williams was hired today and will be in Buffalo on Friday tobe formally introduced to the media, an NFL source said, speakingon condition of anonymity.

Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe told the news tothe three other candidates by phone.

The Bills declined comment but were preparing to release astatement regarding Williams about 3:30 p.m. ET.

A Surprise Pick

Williams' hiring was considered a surprise, as he was going upagainst the defensive coordinators — Baltimore's Marvin Lewis andNew York Giants John Fox — of the two teams that met in the SuperBowl.

Lewis was considered the initial front-runner because he carriedthe best credentials, overseeing what many considered to be theNFL's top defense of all time. This past year, the Ravens allowedthe fewest points in a 16-game season and held the Giants offenseto no points in Baltimore's Super Bowl victory.

It was considered a plus, too, that both Lewis and Fox were withPittsburgh when Donahoe served as the Steelers' director offootball operations.

Also in the running was ex-Bills defensive coordinator TedCottrell, who joined the New York Jets last month.

Under Williams, the Titans defense finished first in the NFL infewest yards allowed this past season.

Defensive coordinator in Tennessee for the past four seasons,Williams broke into the NFL as the franchise's first qualitycontrol coordinator in 1990 when the Titans franchise was based inHouston. He also worked as the team's linebackers and special teamscoach.

Considered organized to a fault, Williams' stock rosedramatically with the Bills following his interview with Donahoe onJan. 26. A day later, Williams pulled out of the running for theCleveland Browns' head coaching position, which eventually went toUniversity of Miami's Butch Davis.

Titans general manager Floyd Reese said Williams' pastexperiences groomed him to be a head coach

Other Candidates Disappointed

"He's not just a one- or two-year wonder. He's somebody thathas paid his dues and worked his way through," Reese said. "He'sdeveloped some really, really strong opinions about things that hebelieves you need to do."

Calling Williams organized to a fault, Reese added: "He's very,very organized, meticulous, hardworking, very bright. Depending onwhat you're looking for, he has an awful lot of very, very strongattributes."

Reports indicate that Williams' first move will be to bring withhim Titans defensive backs coach Jerry Gray and appoint him as theBills defensive coordinator.

Lewis' agent, Ray Anderson, was dismayed over the Bills'decision.

"We just are disappointed in the process and the lack of anyconsistent dialogue or communication during the process," Andersonsaid, adding that Donahoe informed Lewis of his decision about 1:15p.m.

Anderson said the Ravens approached Lewis, offering him apay raise as a reward for helping the team win the Super Bowl.Anderson said Art Modell's offer did not include any monetaryfigure and did not sway Lewis from pursuing the Bills' job.

Lewis completed the second year of a three-year deal that paidhim about $900,000.