The Buffalo Bills have officially turned the page to the 2026 season, not with a major player acquisition, but through the foundational work of building a comprehensive coaching infrastructure. On February 13, 2026, the team announced the hiring of 20 assistant coaches to serve under head coach Joe Brady, solidifying his staff ahead of the crucial offseason program.
This detailed announcement, released via the Bills' official website, signals the transition from post-season evaluation and restructuring to on-field preparation. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the cohesion, expertise, and philosophy of this new coaching cadre will be as vital as any roster move made in the coming months.
Headlining the list are several notable names with significant NFL and collegiate experience. Bobby April III, a respected defensive strategist, takes over as outside linebackers coach. Tasked with developing the next generation of pass rushers, April is returning to Buffalo, where he was previously the linebackers coach from 2015-2016. His extensive background also includes defensive coordinator duties at Stanford from 2023-2025 and outside linebackers coaching at Wisconsin, among other collegiate roles.
Rob Boras, promoted to run game coordinator in addition to his role as tight ends coach, will be pivotal in revitalizing the Bills' rushing attack. Boras has been part of Buffalo's coaching staff since 2017 and was instrumental in the development of the team's tight ends, including franchise record-holder Dawson Knox and rising star Dalton Kincaid. His expanded role reflects the team's emphasis on consistent, balanced offensive production under Joe Brady's offensive vision.
In a further nod to experienced leadership, the Bills have also added former NFL head coach John Fox as senior assistant coach. Fox brings decades of experience, having previously led the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Chicago Bears. He most recently held senior assistant roles with the Indianapolis Colts (2022) and Detroit Lions (2023). His addition bolsters the depth and mentoring capacity of the staff.
The coaching staff blends continuity and fresh voices, a typical strategy for a head coach stepping into his first full season after being promoted in 2025. Alongside Joe Brady, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard maintain their roles, while the assistant coaches carry out specialized and position-focused duties. This layered approach aims to refine talents of established stars and accelerate younger players' development.
The offensive side of the coaching staff includes notable assistants such as Bo Hardegree, who joins as quarterbacks coach after two years in the same role with the Tennessee Titans. Drew Terrell, formerly Arizona Cardinals offensive pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach, joins as Buffalo's wide receivers coach. The offensive line will be guided by Pat Meyer, who returns to Buffalo after previous stints on the Bills' staff and recent positions with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers.
Defensively, the hires reflect a modern, specialized approach. Joe Danna takes over as secondary coach after benefiting the Bills' defense since 2023 as safeties coach with noticeable success in takeaways and pass defense rankings. John Egorugwu returns as inside linebackers coach after a prior tenure as assistant linebackers coach and quality control coach with Buffalo and recent experience with the New York Giants. Newcomers also include Terrance Jamison, veteran collegiate defensive line coach from Illinois, who takes on the defensive line coach position.
A granular approach is evidenced by dedicated coaches for outside linebackers (Bobby April III), cornerbacks (Jay Valai), assistant wide receivers (D.J. Mangas), and assistant quarterbacks (Kyle Shurmur). Special teams coaching remains robust with Turner West continuing as assistant special teams coach, complemented by Jeff Rodgers as special teams coordinator.
The promotion of internal staff reflects stability and the value of institutional knowledge. For example, Joe Danna's elevation from safeties coach to full secondary coach, Kyle Shurmur's move to assistant quarterbacks coach, and Jason Rebrovich's promotion to senior defensive assistant highlight a pathway for internal growth. Veterans like Mark Lubick (pass game specialist/game management) and Kelly Skipper (running backs coach) return, bringing continuity to the offensive scheme. Running back James Cook III, the NFL rushing yards leader in 2025, will benefit from Skipper's experienced tutelage.
For players, the announcement brings clarity and certainty. Knowing their coaches early in the offseason enables stronger relationships, trust-building, and a greater focus on learning and growth during spring workouts and team activities. This stability is equally important for general manager Brandon Beane and the Bills' scouting department, as it aligns personnel decisions with the specific styles and philosophies of the coaching staff.
The newly announced staff will spearhead the offseason program, including Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and the mandatory minicamp. These sessions focus on mental preparation--mastering the playbook, understanding assignments, and building communication protocols. The impact these coaches have in this critical teaching period can set the tone for Training Camp and beyond. As head coach Joe Brady remarked, the precision and effectiveness of the staff's teaching can be the difference maker between winning and losing in tightly contested games.
While offseason headlines often dwell on free agency and the draft, the Bills' approach underscores the indispensable importance of coaching. A well-coached team leverages every advantage and maximizes the potential of its roster, whereas poor coaching can squander elite talent.
With this announcement, the Buffalo Bills have laid the foundation for the 2026 season. The philosophy is set, roles have been defined, and teaching is beginning. The chase for a championship starts first in the minds of the players, directed by this talented and diverse coaching staff. The Bills' front office and Joe Brady have demonstrated their commitment to building not just a roster, but an entire organizational ecosystem aimed at sustainable success.
The foundation is now officially in place. The building of an exceptional season can commence.