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Buffalo Bills: Top 5 Head Coaches in Franchise History

By Paul Taylor

Sep 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips watches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver won the game 31-24. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips watches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Denver won the game 31-24. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of inside Ralph Wilson Stadium before a game between the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Joe Collier

Regular season record: 14-16-1

Achievements: 1 AFL East title

Collier is most known around the NFL for his sterling work as a defensive coordinator, particularly during 20 years in Denver, where he helped them go to three Super Bowls. However, he did have one head coaching stint and it happened to be in Buffalo.

Even here though, the Rock Island, Illinois native first made his name as the linebackers and defensive backs coach between 1962-65. He proved to be an integral part of the team, helping them win two AFL Championships.

The second championship represented one of the highlight’s of Collier’s time in professional football. His defensive alignments, including what was essentially an early version of the modern zone blitz, helped the Bills shut out the San Diego Chargers 23-0.

Undoubtedly, this was an important factor in the decision to give the now 84-year old the head coaching role, when Lou Saban resigned in early 1966. He certainly deserved the chance, after everything he had achieved up to that point in Buffalo.

Initially, Collier proved to be successful as the main man, winning the AL East Division in his first season with a 9-4-1 record. However, the Bills failed to win a third consecutive AFL Championship, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs and missing out on the chance to play in the first ever Super Bowl.

Unfortunately for Collier, the 1966 season would prove to be the high point of his tenure as head coach, as he went 4-10-0 the following year and then lost his job two games into the 1968 campaign. Regardless, he remains an important part of Bills history, specifically for his ability to design an array of effective defensive schemes.

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