Sean McDermott

Sean Michael McDermott (born March 21, 1974) is an American professional football coach who served as the head coach for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League from 2017 to 2025. He began his NFL coaching career as an assistant for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2001, serving as defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2010, and was later the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2016. Following his six seasons with the Panthers, which included an appearance in Super Bowl 50, McDermott was hired as the Bills' head coach in 2017. McDermott's nine seasons with Buffalo saw improved fortunes for the franchise, which had been mostly unsuccessful during the 2000s and 2010s. In his first season, he led the Bills to their first playoff appearance since 1999, ending the longest active postseason drought in the four major North American sports. Three years later, McDermott helped the Bills clinch their division and win a playoff game for the first time since 1995 en route to their first AFC Championship Game appearance since 1993. He led Buffalo to eight playoff appearances (including seven consecutive), five consecutive division titles, and two AFC Championship Game appearances. McDermott was less successful in the postseason and was unable to reach the Super Bowl, leading to his firing after the 2025 season.