The Buffalo Bills are entering a new era under head coach Joe Brady, and over the past two weeks, the 34-year-old has been busy building a staff that blends fresh energy with deep NFL experience. The final coaching roster is now set-and there's one name in particular that jumps off the page: John Fox.
Yes, that John Fox. The veteran coach who took both the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos to Super Bowl appearances is heading to Western New York as a senior assistant.
At 71, Fox brings more than just a résumé-he brings gravitas. For a first-time head coach like Brady, having a seasoned voice like Fox in the room could be invaluable.
Fox has been through just about every situation an NFL coach can face, and his presence gives Brady a trusted sounding board as he navigates the challenges of leading a franchise with championship expectations.
Fox’s NFL head coaching career spans 16 seasons, including stops in Carolina (2002-10), Denver (2011-14), and Chicago (2015-17). He’s known for his defensive mind and steady leadership style-qualities that should complement Brady’s offensive roots.
But Fox isn’t the only notable addition. Brady’s coaching staff is a mix of continuity and change.
Eleven assistants from Sean McDermott’s previous staff are staying on, providing some much-needed stability as the team transitions into a new regime. That group includes:
- Rob Boras (tight ends coach/run game coordinator)
- Joe Danna (secondary coach)
- Austin Gund (offensive line coach)
- Mark Lubick (pass game specialist/game management)
- DJ Mangas (assistant wide receivers coach)
- Kelly Skipper (running backs coach)
- Jason Rebrovich (senior defensive assistant)
- Alvin Vaughn (defensive assistant)
- Kyle Shurmur (assistant quarterbacks coach)
- Turner West (special teams assistant)
- Milli Wilson (offensive assistant/fellowship coach)
That kind of continuity can go a long way in keeping the locker room steady, especially with a roster that still believes its championship window is open.
As for the new faces? Brady didn’t hold back.
He’s brought in a mix of experienced coordinators and rising position coaches to inject new ideas and sharpen execution on both sides of the ball. Here’s the full slate of newcomers:
- Pete Carmichael (offensive coordinator) - After years with the Saints, Carmichael brings a deep playbook and a reputation for quarterback development.
- Jim Leonhard (defensive coordinator) - A former NFL safety and innovative college DC, Leonhard is known for his aggressive, adaptable schemes.
- Jeff Rodgers (special teams coordinator) - A respected special teams mind who’s coached in multiple NFL cities.
- Bobby April III (outside linebackers coach)
- John Egorugwu (inside linebackers coach)
- Bo Hardegree (quarterbacks coach)
- Terrance Jamison (defensive line coach)
- Pat Meyer (offensive line coach)
- Craig Robertson (defensive quality control)
- Drew Terrell (wide receivers coach)
This group brings a healthy mix of NFL pedigree and fresh perspective-something that could be key as the Bills look to retool and reload after a season that fell short of expectations.
And while the coaching staff is now in place, the storylines around this team are just heating up. Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter is already making waves as a potential difference-maker on the revamped defensive front. There’s also growing buzz around which players are under the most pressure heading into 2026-a list that includes veterans looking to bounce back and younger players being asked to take the next step.
Add in some early predictions for the upcoming season, including Super Bowl picks and MVP favorites, and the excitement is already building in Buffalo. Even off-field headlines have popped up, including a former Bills running back receiving a presidential pardon.
And don’t overlook the quarterback room. If the money works, the Bills are reportedly interested in bringing back Mitchell Trubisky as Josh Allen’s backup-a move that would reinforce stability behind one of the league’s top signal-callers.
Bottom line: Joe Brady’s staff is set, and it’s clear the Bills aren’t just thinking about 2026-they’re building for something bigger. With a blend of veteran wisdom and youthful innovation, this coaching group has the potential to steer Buffalo into the next phase of its championship pursuit.