Podcast Summary: Buffalo Plus - "BILLS interview Philip Rivers (Dadgummit) and Mike McDaniel for HEAD COACHING job"

Date: January 23, 2026
Hosts: Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates
Focus: In-depth discussion of the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching search, notably the interviews with Mike McDaniel and Philip Rivers, and broader analysis of coaching philosophy, tactics, and risk in a pivotal offseason for the franchise.

Overview of the Episode

This episode centers on the Buffalo Bills’ wide-reaching and unconventional search for a new head coach following the departure of Sean McDermott. Jenna Cottrell and Dan Fates analyze the credentials, optics, and potential impact of the team's head coaching candidates, especially Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins, Chargers OC) and retired quarterback Philip Rivers. The hosts weigh the risks of hiring an inexperienced coach versus someone with proven, if mixed, head coaching experience, and reflect on the organizational urgency to win with Josh Allen entering his 30s.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bills' Head Coaching Search Strategy

• Open criteria and wide net: As stated by GM Brandon Beane, the search is broad; the Bills are considering both “old, young, former coach [and] first time coach.”
  • “We got to make sure we get the leadership, the CEO part.” (Brandon Beane, 00:59)
• Desire for leadership, not just Xs and Os: The head coaching job is viewed as a CEO-level responsibility requiring conflict management and organization, not just playcalling brilliance.

2. Mike McDaniel: The Offensive Mind

• Experience and Playoff Resume:
  • McDaniel has head coaching experience and made the playoffs with Miami (01:10).
  • Noted for offensive creativity, but questions remain about overall culture-building and lack of playoff wins.
  • His candidacy is “stunning” due to his reputation and the club’s previous culture under McDermott.
• Pairing with Josh Allen:
  • Multiple teams are reportedly interested in McDaniel for offensive synergy with top quarterbacks.
  • “Teams can be infatuated with his play calling… Pairing him up with Josh Allen has to be intriguing.” (Dan Fates, 02:33)
• Timeline Pressure:
  • McDaniel is currently Chargers OC, which creates urgency; Buffalo must decide quickly, or risk losing him to LA.
  • “If Mike McDaniel is getting this job from the Bills, I’m saying is at the latest on Sunday.” (Dan Fates, 06:06)

3. Philip Rivers: The Unexpected Candidate

• Zero NFL/College coaching experience:
  • Rivers’ only experience is high school coaching, albeit reportedly very successful (13-1 record).
  • Highly respected as a player, but immense leap to NFL head coach.
• Concerns:
  • Lack of high-level coaching experience and playcalling at the NFL level is worrisome.
  • “To give him the keys to the whole thing. Never being a coach before… outside of high school would be kind of wild.” (Dan Fates, 13:00)
• Locker room leadership vs. practical coaching:
  • Seen as a positive locker room presence, but is that enough for the CEO aspect of head coach?

4. Risk, Culture, and Urgency

• Allen’s prime window:
  • With Josh Allen approaching 30, the hosts express urgency for the Bills to maximize their championship window immediately.
  • “This is not like it’s 25 year-old Josh… the runway is shorter because of Josh and his age, his playing style, all those things.” (Jenna Cottrell, 19:53)
• Changing cultures and potential disruption:
  • New philosophy means roster turnover, potential for disruption—positive or negative.
  • “A new philosophy means you’re getting new players… the roster is going to be even more at flux than it already has been.” (Jenna Cottrell, 09:42)
• Head coaching experience valued:
  • “I would love to see a head coach that has already been a head coach. There’s such a learning curve.” (Jenna Cottrell, 10:53)

5. Brian Dable and Other Candidates

• Dable’s strengths:
  • Familiarity and rapport with Allen, history of coaching him “hard,” and lessons learned from setbacks with the Giants.
  • “Brian Dable coached Josh Allen hard… the advantage is he hits the ground running with Josh Allen.” (Dan Fates, 10:53)
• Clint Kubiak, Davis Webb, Anthony Lynn, Anthony Weaver, Lou Anarumo, Grant Udinski:
  • Mix of external and internal possibilities, each with unique upside/risk.
  • Kubiak has OC experience, Davis Webb seen as a potential “McVay-type” mind but lacking playcalling chops.
  • Lynn and Weaver may be considered for other roles.

6. The Role of Josh Allen

• Allen involved in process:
  • The Bills are including Allen in interviews and meetings—a necessity to keep him “on board” and motivated.
  • “Josh needs to be on board. This is a decision…because of him.” (Jenna Cottrell, 15:30)
• Quarterback as Stakeholder:
  • National perspective might question this, but in Buffalo Allen is “the franchise.”

7. Organizational Pressure & Expectations

• Super Bowl or Bust Mentality:
  • Despite lip service to being patient, pressure is immense to “get over the top”—incremental progress is no longer enough.
  • “To make the move you made, it’s because you don’t think you can get over the top.” (Jenna Cottrell, 21:42)
• Succession of accountability:
  • With McDermott gone, focus (and blame) shifts to the next coach, and, eventually, Brandon Beane and Josh Allen.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:59] Brandon Beane:
  “We got to be careful not to just—this is a bigger job than just a play caller… It’s a CEO job. It really is.”

• [02:33] Dan Fates:
  “Teams can be infatuated with his play calling… Pairing him up with Josh Allen has to be intriguing.”

• [07:23] Jenna Cottrell (on Rivers):
  “Cool story, obviously someone that I think a lot of fans like him, but I don’t think they like the idea of him coaching the Buffalo Bills.”

• [09:42] Jenna Cottrell (on coach turnover):
  “A new philosophy means you’re getting new players into the building… you’re banking on it being a positive when it could mean it’s going to take a couple years.”

• [10:53] Jenna Cottrell:
  “I would love to see a head coach that has already been a head coach. There’s such a learning curve to being a head coach in the NFL…”

• [13:00] Dan Fates:
  “To give [Rivers] the keys to the whole thing. Never being a coach before… outside of high school would be kind of wild.”

• [15:30] Jenna Cottrell:
  “Josh needs to be on board. This is a decision that is because of him.”

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:59 – Brandon Beane explains the open and CEO-focused coaching search
• 02:13-04:00 – Debate over Mike McDaniel’s strengths, concerns, optics, and playoff record
• 05:41-06:15 – Timeline urgency with McDaniel’s candidacy vis-à-vis Chargers
• 07:06-09:34 – Examination of Philip Rivers' head coaching fit; parallels to other former QBs
• 10:53-13:00 – Why head coaching experience matters: discussion around Brian Dable
• 15:00-16:10 – Josh Allen’s involvement in the interviewing process
• 21:22-22:49 – The mounting pressure for a Super Bowl run after the coaching change
• 24:03-25:16 – Accountability moving from coach to GM, then QB
• 28:05-28:41 – The “wowing” phenomenon in NFL interviews, referencing Andy Reid’s hiring

Additional Insights & Lighter Moments

• Candidates for non-head coach roles: Lynn and Weaver’s profiles, possibility as coordinators rather than HC.
• Discussion about risks of promoting young, “potentially great” assistants early (e.g., Davis Webb/Shaun McVay): both see merit but accept high risk.
• Fun banter about outsiders underestimating hosts’ football knowledge (32:43 - 35:39):
  • “I said, ‘I cover the NFL.’ Mic drop moment.” (Dan Fates, 35:11)
• Plans for a “life advice” segment on the podcast (36:01-37:49)—illustrates the team’s dynamic and personalities.

The Big Takeaway

The Bills are facing a pivotal offseason defined by a bold, uncertain coaching search, shaped as much by the need for offensive ingenuity as organizational leadership and cultural stability. With Allen’s prime years ticking away, the team cannot afford a misstep—and the hosts underscore the stakes in each possible head-coaching hire.

In the words of Dan Fates:
“You gotta thread this needle: finding somebody who you’re not gonna take a step back and then you also believe can take you a step farther.” (12:18)

For ongoing analysis as the search narrows, subscribe and catch future episodes on Buffalo Plus.