That headline may mislead you a bit, by no means am I making a case or argument in any way, shape or form that the Buffalo Bills made a mistake in firing Rex Ryan. They certainly did not. But the dysfunction clouding the process of firing Ryan, shows a major organizational flaw.
“I was asked a point-blank question, and based on the discussions we’ve been having all year, I felt it was better to tell Rex we were going in a different direction,” Pegula told The Associated Press in an interview on Monday.
Bills general manager Doug Whaley said he had no involvement in the decision or process of firing Ryan nor was he aware of why Ryan was fired.
“We just finished our weekly phone conversation with Terry, myself and Rex,” Whaley said. “Rex asked to speak to [Pegula] privately. After that, I was informed that Rex would no longer be our coach. I wasn’t privy to the conversation, so I cannot get into those details.
“I look at it this way: I’m the GM of the football operation. I was told by my boss that I would no longer be working with a certain person. My role is not to figure out why. My role is to take that information and go forward and put this organization in the best possible way to win football games. So for me, I did not ask.”
“I can’t give you the particulars of what happened in that conversation; I can just tell you that I was informed that he was not going to be our coach going forward.”
Huh?
So, the owner made an organizational decision, that directly impacts the roster and the front office, particularly the general manager, and he did not, at the very least, let his general manager know what was coming or the reasoning behind the decision.
Coupled with the drama around the Tyrod Taylor scenario it is clear that the Bills need a organizational shakeup as their current structure is bordering on dysfunctional.
Despite the turmoil surrounding the franchise, Whaley remains confident that they can carry out a apt coaching search.
“This one will fall squarely on my shoulders, with the help of [player personnel director] Jim Monos,” Whaley said. “So we’re going to approach it that way, and I have full confidence in myself and the plan that we have in place that we’re going to go out and get the best guy for the Buffalo Bills.”
“I have full confidence in my reputation in the league circles,” Whaley said. “Not, obviously, in media circles, but in league circles, that would not be prohibitive.”