The Bills moved quickly after owner Ralph Wilson relieved Dick Jauron of his head coaching duties, naming defensive coordinator Perry Fewell interim head coach.
"Perry Fewell will be our Interim Head Coach," said owner Ralph Wilson in a team statement. "Perry has done a great job with our defense and has demonstrated excellent leadership skills as Defensive Coordinator. Our players and staff have a lot of confidence in him and that is important as we look forward to these next seven games."
Fewell will address the media at an 8:30 pm press conference, which will be carried live right here. - http://www.buffalobills.com/media-lounge/live-video.html
For Fewell, 47, it's the first time he's been a head coach in his coaching career. This is Fewell's 12th year as an NFL assistant coach having served as a defensive coordinator under the departed Dick Jauron the past four seasons.
He's the first interim head coach of the Bills since Hall of Fame head coach Marv Levy was hired as an interim head coach in 1986 replacing Hank Bullough.
Fewell's defense has fallen on hard times this season due mainly to a myriad of injuries. He's already lost starters Kawika Mitchell and Leodis McKelvin for the season and last week was also without fellow starters Keith Ellison, Terrence McGee, Donte Whitner and Kyle Williams. Middle linebacker Paul Posluszny and safety Bryan Scott have also missed a handful of games this season.
Nevertheless Fewell's defense leads the AFC in takeaways with 19, thanks in large part to rookie Jairus Byrd who leads the NFL in interceptions with eight.
Fewell has previously served as defensive backs coach with the Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars.
He joined the NFL ranks after a three-year stint at Vanderbilt University where he last served as assistant head coach and secondary coach.
