ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator and Columbus native Leslie Frazier is adding assistant head coach to his job title.
The promotion announced Wednesday underscores Frazier’s role of serving as one of head coach Sean McDermott’s most trusted advisers while also overseeing one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses over the past two seasons.
“His fingerprints are all over our operation, and I’m extremely grateful for all the years we have worked together,” McDermott said in a statement released by the team. “Leslie’s impact on our team is felt every day through his guidance, wisdom and his genuine care for people. He is a great example to everyone within our organization.”
The 60-year-old Frazier is noted for having a commanding, even-keeled approach. And his relationship with McDermott showed no signs of fracturing after McDermott briefly took over the defensive play-calling duties during Buffalo’s 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018.
Frazier was among the first coaches McDermott hired upon taking over the Bills job in 2017. Frazier has 22 seasons of NFL coaching experience, including a three-plus-year stint as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
He and McDermott previously worked together as assistants with the Philadelphia Eagles in the early 2000s.
Born in Columbus, Frazier attended the former S.D. Lee High School. He was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
In Buffalo, Frazier has overseen a defense that went from being ranked 26th in yards allowed in 2017 to second the following year and third last season.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.