Former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has kept a low profile since the team abruptly sacked him following a playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, but he could be returning to the spotlight very soon.
The Athletic’s Mike Jones interviewed McDermott this week, the first time the former Bills coach has spoken at length since his January firing. McDermott revealed that he is taking some time before making his next coaching move, but could have a football-related gig coming up in a matter of days.
Sean McDermott Returning to Television
As Jones reported, McDermott has spent his time studying football and coaching concepts since being fired by the Bills. While he has spent plenty of time with his family and his teenage kids, McDermott is also planning to return to television to break down the NFL draft
“Thus far, between attending his daughter’s softball games, taking his quarterback son to seven-on-seven football tournaments and enjoying daily family routines, McDermott is enjoying this sabbatical,” Jones reported. “At next week’s draft, McDermott will make a handful of media appearances as an analyst. In May, he also plans to carve out time for his charitable work in conjunction with Skin Care Awareness Month. He joked that the time off has provided him a glimpse into life as a retiree, and also confirmed to him that he’s not at all ready to turn in his whistle.”
McDermott moved his family from Orchard Park, outside Buffalo, to the Charlotte area. His daughter is headed to Notre Dame on a softball scholarship, while his son is involved in high school football.
Draft analysis could be a natural fit, even if it’s only temporary. McDermott was reportedly involved in Buffalo’s draft selections, especially on the defensive side, and was often insightful in his answers to media about player development and character. While it’s not clear yet where he could show up this week as a draft analyst, the former Bills coach could have a future as an analyst if he doesn’t want to return to the coaching ranks right away.
Sean McDermott Could Return to Coaching Next Year
As Jones reported, McDermott was fired so late in the NFL hiring process that there were few openings left for him to consider. After discussion with his family, the former Bills head coach decided to spend a year focusing on family and conferring with other football coaches to sharpen his game before attempting a comeback.
One of McDermott’s mentors, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, believes McDermott will be able to make the most of the year away from the NFL.
“I think it’s real beneficial when you go through something like that, to refresh and spend some time with family,” said Spagnuolo, who coached with McDermott on the Philadelphia Eagles staff. “I thought he should reflect and refresh so that when he gets this next opportunity, he’d be ready for that. The things I suggested to him were to try to concentrate this offseason on things that he felt like we need to improve on — weaknesses, whether it was X’s and O’s or some head-coaching (responsibilities) — and kind of strengthen those.”
Ex-Bills Coach Sean McDermott Plans Return to Football This Week