Sean McDermott Wins Prestigious Earle “Greasy” Neale Award

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott was named the winner of the 36th Earle “Greasy” Neale Award on Thursday, recognizing him as the Most Outstanding Coach in professional football. The honor, bestowed by the Maxwell Football Club, marks the first time a Bills coach has received the prestigious award.

McDermott, who has led the Bills since 2017, has compiled an 86-45 overall record (.656) and guided the team to the playoffs in seven of the past eight seasons. His leadership ended the franchise’s 17-year playoff drought in his first year with quarterback Tyrod Taylor. This season, the Bills achieved a 13-4 record and secured their fifth consecutive AFC East title.

The Earle “Greasy” Neale Award, established in 1989, honors exceptional leadership, strategic innovation, and significant impact on the game. McDermott joins an elite group of past winners, including Andy Reid, Bill Belichick, and John Harbaugh. This season, he became the fifth coach in NFL history to record five straight 11-win seasons, alongside Belichick, Reid, Tony Dungy, and Tom Landry.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team,” McDermott said in a statement. “It’s an honor to be recognized among such legendary coaches.”

The award is named after Earle “Greasy” Neale, a Hall of Fame coach who led the Philadelphia Eagles to NFL championships in 1948 and 1949. Neale was also a pioneer of the 4-3 defense, a strategy still widely used in the NFL today. Before his coaching career, Neale played Major League Baseball, including for the 1919 Cincinnati Reds team that won the World Series.

McDermott’s success has positioned him to potentially surpass Marv Levy as the winningest coach in Bills history. Levy, who won two Sporting News Coach of the Year awards, remains a franchise icon. McDermott’s achievements this season include leading the Bills to victories over two 15-win teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, a feat never before accomplished in NFL history.

Sal Maiorana, a veteran Bills beat writer for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, praised McDermott’s impact. “Sean has brought stability and excellence to this franchise,” Maiorana said. “His ability to adapt and lead has been remarkable.”

The Maxwell Football Club, founded in 1935, aims to promote safety and excellence in American football. The Earle “Greasy” Neale Award is separate from the Associated Press Coach of the Year award, which McDermott narrowly missed in 2020. The AP award will be announced during the NFL Honors show ahead of the Super Bowl.