ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott is getting help dealing with red flag challenge decisions by adding former NFL official John Parry to his staff. A person briefed on the hire confirmed this to The Associated Press on Monday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the move. Buffalo’s hiring of Parry as a liaison was first reported by the New York Post.
While most networks employ former officials to provide analysis on penalties, the Bills are believed to be one of the first teams in the NFL to add a former official to their staff.
Parry spent 19 years as an NFL official, including the last 12 years as a referee, before retiring after starring in his third Super Bowl to end the 2018 season. Then, for the past five years he worked as a rules analyst for ESPN.
Parry is in his first role for the Bills, and McDermott is in his eighth season as coach.
According to Pro Football Reference, McDermott completed three of six challenges last season, but his overall record, including the playoffs, was only 10 of 33 plays overturned. Meanwhile, Kansas City Chiefs manager Andy Reid completed four out of five assignments last season, completing 72 of 143 assignments overall.
Parry’s knowledge of the rules also helps with time management late in games by advising when it’s best to call timeouts when dealing with penalties and other rule changes introduced by the league.
Parry’s hiring comes after McDermott joined the NFL Rules Committee in March.
