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Report: Buffalo Bills hiring Illinois co-defensive coordinator Terrance Jamison as DL coach

Danby: Daniel Hager02/06/26DanielHagerOn3

The Buffalo Bills are hiring Illinois co-defensive coordinator Terrance Jamison as their defensive line coach. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news on Friday morning.

Jamison had been with Illinois since the 2021 season. He served as the Illini’s defense line coach for two seasons before spending the last three as their co-defensive coordinator.

While a member of Illinois‘ staff, the Fighting Illini accrued a 37-26 record (first back-to-back 10-win seasons in program history) over the past five seasons. DT Jamal Woods, DT Denzel Daxon, and DT Keith Randolph Jr. were drafted to the NFL over that time frame.

Prior to joining Illinois‘ staff, Jamison spent time at programs such as Purdue, Air Force, Texas Tech, FAU, Cal, and Wisconsin. The Harvey, IL native played three seasons at Wisconsin under Barry Alvarez and Bret Bielema from 2005-2007.

Jamison joins newly promoted head coach Joe Brady‘s inaugural staff in Buffalo. Brady had been a member of Buffalo’s staff since 2022 and had served as its offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He succeeds former head coach Sean McDermott, who was let go following the Bills’ 33-30 loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round.

Joe Brady, Josh Allen to lead Buffalo Bills into new era

Brady certainly has big shoes to fill, as McDermott led the Bills to a 106-58 record across nine seasons. Buffalo reached the AFC Championship Game twice but was unable to break through for a Super Bowl appearance. This year’s loss to Denver in the Divisional Round was the final straw, and now a new era begins with Joe Brady at the helm.

NFL MVP Josh Allen was reportedly involved in deciding on a new head coach, which made Brady a no-brainer. With the Pembroke Pines, Fla., native calling plays, Allen totaled 8,591 passing yards and 61 passing touchdowns with just 18 interceptions across the past two seasons. He also recorded 1,314 more yards and 30 scores on the ground. He was named MVP in 2024 and has established himself as one of the league’s premier players.

With Brady calling plays over the past two seasons, Buffalo posted a 28-11 record and won three postseason games. The Bills’ offense ranked in the Top 10 in both yards per game and points per game in both seasons.

“I love Coach McDermott,” Brady said at his introductory press conference. “I’m going to do everything I can to continue to build upon the things that he laid and the foundation he laid. At the same time, we got to move forward. I think it starts with a new energy, a new mentality, and a new vision. A new energy that I got to drive every single day.”