He’s worked wonders with Allen
As the Chargers search for a coach to replace Anthony Lynn, The Times will examine candidates the team plans to interview. This is the fourth in a series of appraisals of the contenders, along with thoughts from NFL writer Sam Farmer.
Current job: Offensive coordinator, Buffalo Bills Age: 45 Credentials: In his third season with the Bills, Daboll’s offense finished second in the NFL in both points and yards as quarterback Josh Allen took an enormous step forward. In his previous six seasons as an NFL coordinator, Daboll didn’t see his offenses finish higher than 20th in either category. In 2017, Daboll won a college national championship as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Humble beginnings: Daboll’s gateway into coaching came as a volunteer assistant at College of William & Mary in 1997. He then served as a graduate assistant for two years at Michigan State under Nick Saban.
One man’s view: “He handles everything the right way. He comes at you from all angles, not just as a coach, but a guy that understands the game, and he’s a professional. He’s serious about it and he’s passionate. I love playing for him. That’s why I don’t want to give you too good of a pitch.” — Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, via the Athletic
Did you know: Besides Saban, Daboll also worked for Bill Belichick. He was with New England from 2000 to 2006, f irst as a defensive assistant and then as wide receivers coach. Asked for a comparison of the two before the 2018 Sugar Bowl, Daboll called both coaching icons “very similar,” “very demanding” and “very detailed.”
Sam Farmer’s take: Look at Allen’s stats. He completed a league- low 52.8% of his passes as a rookie in 2018 and had a lackluster passer rating of 67.9. Two years later under Daboll, the Bills star completed 69.2% with a rating of 107.2. That’s astounding, and it’s a testament to both Allen and Daboll, who as an offensive coordinator has a long track record of making the most of his personnel.
Daboll was the guy behind Peyton Hillis in Cleveland, transforming that former fullback into a ballcarrier who got so hot he wound up on the cover of “Madden NFL 12.” Daboll was Miami’s coordinator in 2011, when journeyman Matt Moore replaced injured Chad Henne and the Dolphins tore off four wins in f ive games, including a 31- 3 rout at Kansas City and a 35- 8 blistering of Buffalo.
Daboll isn’t going to win the news conference — he’s as f lat and Belichick- boring in public as he is fiery behind closed doors — but he’s coach material.