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In his three seasons in Buffalo, Tom Donahoe has attempted to address the Bills' salary cap constraints, their offense and most recently their defense.
What's next for the frustrated team president, whose Bills have yet to develop into a playoff contender? A new head coach, of course.
The Bills launched a coaching search Monday after Donahoe fired Gregg Williams, determining he didn't earn an opportunity to be rehired after completing the final year of a three-year contract.
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Donahoe cited a lack of confidence in Williams' capability to inspire a turnaround
and the team's regression this season as reasons for his decision.
Despite a significantly improved roster, the Bills (6-10) lost two more games this season than they did last year, and completed their fourth consecutive year without a plus-.500 record.
``We felt we had improved the roster to take another step this season and we did not,'' Donahoe said. ``We have regressed this year. And I just didn't have the confidence going forward that we could get it turned around.''
Williams finished 17-31 in Buffalo, and is blamed for a season of drastically unachieved goals.
After opening the year with two impressive victories, including a 31-0 win against New England in Week 1, Buffalo unraveled down the stretch, losing seven of its last nine -- all but fittingly capped with Saturday's 31-0 loss to New England.
That's not what was expected from a team that was coming off an encouraging 8-8 finish a year earlier, sparked by the Bills acquiring Drew Bledsoe in a trade with New England. And it certainly wasn't what Donahoe intended after spending nearly $20 million in bonus money on players to bolster his defense.
Instead, it proved to be a year in which the Bills offense was mired in a deep funk, handcuffed in part by an ill-conceived pass-first philosophy that didn't fit its personnel.
Williams and coordinator Kevin Gilbride seemed insistent on relying on Bledsoe's arm to win for them as he did a year earlier when he set 10 franchise records. What they failed to take into account was the team trading away deep-threat receiver Peerless Price to Atlanta last March and releasing two more reliable receivers in tight end Jay Riemersma and fullback Larry Centers.
It didn't help that No. 1 receiver Eric Moulds was limited for most of the year because of a groin injury.
Donahoe cited his coaches' inability to adjust as part of the problem.
``Players change, circumstances change, and you have to be adjusting all the time to that,'' Donahoe said. ``We could've done a better job in some areas of making these adjustments.''
While referring to notes, Williams thanked Donahoe and team owner Ralph Wilson for the coaching opportunity during a brief statement.
``We weren't able to do as well as I thought this year, but Tom has put the team in the right position,'' Williams said. ``I'm sorry I wasn't able to take it to the next level.''
He wouldn't respond to reporters' questions.
Williams turned down a contract extension last spring.
The former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator became the Bills' head coach in February 2001, replacing Wade Phillips. In the process, Williams beat out two other high-profile candidates, Marvin Lewis, and John Fox, who both had successful 2003 seasons as head coaches.
Donahoe took some of the blame for initially hiring Williams in the first place, Donahoe's first significant move after taking over in Buffalo following the 2000 season.
``I've got to do a better job of doing that this time around,'' Donahoe said.
Donahoe did not provide a timetable to complete his coaching search. Among those considered candidates to replace Williams are Jim Fassel, fired by the Giants, and Tom Coughlin, out of the NFL for a year after being dismissed by the Jaguars.
Donahoe said the new coach
will determine the status of the assistant coaches who remain under contract.