Rex aide busted on charge of punching boy
REX RYAN promised to “build a bully” when he signed on with the Buffalo Bills in January, but now he is dealing with an overly aggressive coach on his staff.
Aaron Kromer, the offensive line coach Ryan brought on after joining the Bills, was charged with misdemeanor battery Sunday for allegedly shoving a boy to the ground and threatening to kill the victim’s family.
Kromer allegedly punched the boy in the face after the victim and two other boys used Kromer’s beach chairs, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
Police noted that Kromer grabbed the children’s fishing pole and threw it in the water before telling the victim that “he would kill his family” if the boy reported the confrontation to police. The incident occurred near a house on Inlet Beach, on the Florida Panhandle. The Bills told the Daily News they were gathering facts in the aftermath of the arrest.
Kromer, 48, was booked at Walton County Jail for about 90 minutes and released on no bail shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday. The Sheriff’s Office stated that it is continuing to investigate the charges filed, and that the executive staff will review the case first thing Monday morning, when a redacted report will be made available.
The Bills brought Kromer on staff after his stint with the Chicago Bears. He served as offensive coordinator for two years there, and drew headlines when, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune last December, Kromer made a “tearful apology” during a team meeting after criticizing quarterback Jay Cutler to an NFL Network reporter. He has coached in the NFL for 15 years. In 2009, he was a member of the coaching staff that led the Saints to the organization’s first Super Bowl victory.
While in New Orleans, Kromer worked with the offensive line and running backs. He also filled in as the interim head coach for the first six games of the 2012 season when Sean Payton was banned for the year and assistant head coach Joe Vitt had to serve his suspension in connection with the NFL’s bounty investigation.
Kromer’s job in Buffalo offered new challenges, and his arrest attracted more attention to an offensive line meeting room already filled with intrigue.
Weeks after signing Ryan, the organization gave a contract to lineman Richie Incognito, the guard at the center of a bullying scandal with the Miami Dolphins in November 2013. Incognito was suspended by the NFL for harassing teammate Jonathan Martin. He was then reinstated in February 2014 and tried out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos.
Coaches are subject to NFL discipline. If the Bills fire Kromer, they have Kurt Anderson on staff as an assistant offensive line coach. He played in the NFL and has been with the Bills three seasons.
Eight members of Ryan’s staff either coached with him or played under him during his tenure with the Jets.
The Bills begin training camp July 31.