“Black Monday” did not escape Ralph Wilson Stadium without a casualty.
Head Coach Chan Gailey was fired earlier today, along with the rest of his staff, after the Bills suffered an abysmal 6-10 season, sharing the basement of the AFC East with the New York Jets.
The Mario Williams free agent signing in the offseason brought such promise to Buffalo. The Bills were using the same recipe as the New York Giants, who beat the perennial division winner, the New England Patriots, in two Super Bowls.
On paper, they were cooking with the same ingredients. The Bills built up a demonstrative, defensive line that could put pressure on quarterback Tom Brady and challenge the New England Patriots for the division crown.
But that was on paper, not on the field, and the head coach suffered for the underachieving season. The last three seasons, the Bills were 16-32 under Gailey.
In a statement, he thanked General Manager Buddy Nix and owner Ralph Wilson as well as the Bills faithful and accepted responsibility for the losing season.
“The first thing I want to say is thanks to the Bills organization, to Buddy (Nix) and Mr. Wilson for the opportunity. I understand this is a business. We didn’t get the job done. I’ve been called two other times to turn things around, was able to do it. I wasn’t able to get this one done soon enough, and I understand that completely,” said Gailey. “I want to thank the fans. Great Buffalo fans, a great football town. These are loyal, loyal fans and I understand that. I think that the next staff will have a great opportunity for success and to make this another great football franchise.”
The Bills have been quiet about Nix’s future with the organization, but for now, he remains the general manager.
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