Back to the New England Patriots Newsfeed

Buffalo Bills hire Gill Byrd to coach defensive backs

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — First-year Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott has hired Gill Byrd to oversee the team's defensive backs.

Byrd has 12 years of NFL coaching experience, and was a four-time All-Pro defensive back during a 10-year playing career with the San Diego Chargers (1983-92). He most recently spent the 2014-15 seasons coaching cornerbacks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and held similar roles in Chicago (2006-12) and St. Louis (2003-05).

Byrd is familiar with Buffalo through his son, NFL safety Jairus Byrd. Now with New Orleans, Jairus Byrd played his first five seasons in Buffalo, from 2009-13.