BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The winningest head coach in Buffalo Bills history has only positive things to say about Coach Sean McDermott, who led the team to clinch the AFC East title for the first time in 25 years.
"Beyond the high regard I do have for the Buffalo Bills fans, I've really been very favorably impressed with Sean McDermott," Marv Levy told 7 Eyewitness News. "What he's done. I was pleased for him."
95-year-old Levy said he was "celebrating like the Bills fans" on Saturday when the team claimed the title they haven't held since he was on the field.
On Saturday night, the Pro Football Hall of Famer sent a congratulatory email to McDermott.
"I just told him, honestly, that I was thrilled and I'm sure he was too about the Bills winning it. And I congratulated him so much. I told him I know there's still a long road to travel and I know he'd attack it the way it's meant to be."
McDermott and Levy have more than the Buffalo Bills in common. Levy spent five coaching years at the College of William & Mary, where McDermott received his bachelor's degree and played safety on the school's football team.
"So I'm congratulating him as a Buffalo Bills coach and William & Mary alum, from a former Buffalo Bills coach with William & Mary ties."
Levy said the final message he had for McDermott was short, sweet, and to the point:
"I told him, doggonit, that's it, get back to work."
Levy believes there is no one key to reaching the Super Bowl. Instead, it's all about preparation and synergy.
"Something I've always said, it isn't just a great quarterback, it isn't just a great coach, it isn't just great players. It's total organization that wins. It even goes beyond the players into how the personnel department. It isn't a good coach, it's a good coaching staff as far as the teaching aspects go."
When asked if he had a message for Bills fans during this exciting time for Buffalo, he wanted everyone to know "just that I love you."
