Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills hire Panthers DC Sean McDermott as their next head coach

Published Jan. 11, 2017 4:39 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

All signs had pointed to interim coach Anthony Lynn becoming the Buffalo Bills’ full-time head coach after his quick rise through the ranks this season. However, the Bills are reportedly going in a different direction.

The team announced on Wednesday that former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott has been hired as Buffalo's new head coach.

https://twitter.com/buffalobills/status/819296507841101832

McDermott, 42, has spent the last six years as Carolina’s defensive coordinator. Before joining the Panthers, he held the same position with the Eagles from 2009-10.

The Panthers had a terrific defensive season in 2015, ranking sixth in both points and yards allowed while forcing the most turnovers in the NFL on the way to a Super Bowl appearance. They took a step back this season with the departures of Josh Norman, Roman Harper and Charles Tillman, but they were still No. 6 against the run.

This will be McDermott’s first stint as a head coach in the NFL. Expectations will be high with Buffalo’s last playoff appearance coming in 1999, so there will be a minimal grace period for him. Rex Ryan lasted only two years despite being just one game below .500 (15-16).