BUFFALO, N.Y. – One of college football's most remarkable coaching trees enhanced its impressive legacy on Tuesday, as former William & Mary wide receiver and assistant coach
Joe Brady '13 was named the Buffalo Bills head coach.
Brady becomes the third former Tribe player to lead an NFL franchise in recent years, as Mike Tomlin '95 (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Sean McDermott '98 (Buffalo Bills) recently concluded lengthy tenures as tremendously successful head coaches. All three played for legendary W&M Head Coach Jimmye Laycock, who retired in 2018 following an extraordinary 39-year career leading the Tribe that included 249 victories.
Brady becomes Buffalo's 21st head coach and is the fifth with W&M ties, joining Buster Ramsey (former player), Harvey Johnson (former player), Marv Levy (former head coach) and McDermott (former player and assistant coach).
One of the NFL's elite offensive coordinators, Brady served in that role for the Bills the past few seasons after being the quarterbacks coach from 2022-23. During his stint as the offensive coordinator, Brady's offenses were among the league's best and averaged 29.6 points per game (2
nd), 367.7 total yards per game (3
rd), 145.4 rushing yards per game (3
rd) and 222.3 passing yards per game (10
th). Additionally, quarterback Josh Allen won the MVP award in 2024 and running back James Cook III claimed the rushing title in 2025, while the Bills set single-season franchise records for most points (525) and touchdowns (65) in 2024.
Prior to joining Buffalo's staff, Brady was the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator from 2020-21. He also previously worked with the New Orleans Saints as an offensive assistant from 2017-18.
A wide receiver at W&M (2009-12), Brady began his coaching career as a defensive assistant (linebackers) with the Tribe (2013-14).
He then worked as a graduate assistant at Penn State from 2015-16 and was the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at LSU in 2019 where he helped lead the Tigers to a national championship and undefeated season. Additionally, his quarterback, Joe Burrow, won the Heisman Trophy, while Brady earned the Broyles Award as college football's top assistant coach.
The notable list of current NFL coaches with W&M connections also includes former Tribe assistants Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders Head Coach), Brian Daboll (Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator), Christian Parker (Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator) and Danny Smith (Tampa Bay Buccaneers Special Teams Coordinator).
