ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Tom Donahoe's first job as president
and general manager of the Buffalo Bills will be to find a coach.
| | Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, right, presented a football to new Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe on Friday. |
But the 53-year-old Donahoe offered no hint Friday of who might
replace the fired Wade Phillips.
"I'll leave the speculation to you," Donahoe said at a news
conference.
But he did say he intends to interview Bills defensive
coordinator Ted Cottrell in the early part of next week.
Others identified as possible candidates are Baltimore defensive
coordinator Marvin Lewis, Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dom
Capers, Miami offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, New York Giants
offensive coordinator Sean Payton and New Orleans offensive
coordinator Mike McCarthy.
Donahoe becomes just the second president of the Bills,
following Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson, who held the title for 41
years. As general manager, he replaces John Butler, fired last
month before becoming general manager of the San Diego Chargers.
"This is a quality organization, and I'm proud to be part of
it," Donahoe said. "I hope by working together we can take the
Buffalo Bills further than they've been able to go.
"We want to win. That's paramount. This is a team that should
have been in the playoffs this year, and we want to be in the
playoffs next year."
Donahoe spent 14 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the last
eight as a director of football operations, until he was forced out
last January.
"He's been a winner," Wilson said. "He's really a top
individual and Buffalo is fortunate to have this gentleman come
in."
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