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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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Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks former coach Chuck Knox (right) and former quarterback Jim Zorn at the Seattle Seahawks 12Fest fan rally in the Desert at Chase Field prior to Super Bowl XLIX. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Chuck Knox

Regular season record: 37-36-0

Achievements: 1 AFC East title, 2 playoffs appearances overall

Knox deservedly takes his place in our top five countdown. He arrived from Los Angeles with high expectations, having led the Rams to five consecutive NFC West titles and he didn’t disappoint.

In fact, the Sewickley, Pennsylvania native became the first Bills’ head coach to have any period of sustained success in the Super Bowl era. But it wasn’t without its struggles, as he went just 5-11 in his inaugural campaign.

However, Knox quickly turned things around and just two seasons later, he helped the Bills win their first AFC East title since joining the NFL. And although it ended with a heart-breaking loss to the San Diego Chargers, he was named NFL Coach of the Year.

The mixture of success and heartbreak continued in 1981, as the Bills once again qualified for the playoffs, this time as a wild card team. However, much like the previous season, they lost a closely-fought game, this time to the Cincinnati Bengals, who went on to play in the Super Bowl.

Unfortunately for Knox, this represented his last success in Buffalo, as he failed to make the playoffs in the strike-shortened 1982 season and then failed to agree terms on a new contract with Wilson. Ultimately though, there’s no denying his success in Western New York.

Next: Architect of Buffalo's first sporting championship

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