Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - In the days after the firing of Sean McDermott, members of "Bills Mafia" continue to show their support for the former head coach that led the Buffalo Bills over the last nine seasons.
Thursday morning saw a number of Bills fans gather outside the current Highmark Stadium in the parking lot of Prohibition 2020, where local sculptor Eric Jones was readying a snow sculpture to honor McDermott and his time in Western New York. Fans helped shovel snow into a wooden frame that served as the base for the sculpture, while Jones and others tightly packed down the snow.
"I've done sculptures of charging buffaloes and Josh Allen and just about everything in-between, but never anything for Sean. We just thought it'd be appropriate, in 'Bills Mafia' style to do something special for him after the news of the firing. A perfect time to do a Sean McDermott sculpture," said Jones in an interview with WBEN. "Just kind of a thank you for him for his nine years, five-consecutive divisional titles. He has a great rap sheet here in Buffalo, so we wanted to send him out 'Mafia' style."
Like many Bills fans, the firing of McDermott came as a complete shock to Jones after Saturday's loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional Round.
"It shocked all of us, especially the way it happened and how quickly it happened," Jones said. "This is not a political statement that has anything to do with the decision on behalf of the organization. This is purely a thank you to Sean and his family, and for his philanthropy and his involvement in the community. Just a wonderful guy. So we wanted to say thank you to him."
This sculpture for the Bills head coach was something Jones wanted to do in the short time after McDermott's firing. He was able to do so with the help of Hope Rises, led by former local media personality Kate Glaser, and Prohibition 2020.
"I just thought we have to do this," Jones said. "We get some volunteers here so it doesn't cost much, and people should be showing up, people are bringing their shovels. But this was something I wanted to do specifically for Sean, just to say thank you."
Jones says the sculpture, once it's finished, will sit anywhere between 16 and 18 feet wide and about eight feet tall at its highest point.
"Sean always wore the baseball cap during the games, and, of course, the headset. And we'll probably do something 'Bills Mafia' with some Zubaz stripes, something kind of cool," Jones noted. But it'll be specifically a thank you to Sean, and it'll kind of represent 'Bills Mafia'."
Jones is expected to begin the sculpting process early Friday morning.
For those that helped Jones shovel snow, it only made sense to come down in a showing of support and gratitude for McDermott.
"I think Sean did a great job throughout the years that he's been here. He obviously ended the drought for us, and gotten us to the playoffs countless times and had good finishes," said Brad from Ellicottville. "I think a lot of people are kind of questioning the decision and how he was fired, and people above him remained. But it's cool to give him a farewell, in this sense of helping build a statue, and let everybody know that we appreciate him and glad for the time that he's been with us."
"Just as surprised as everybody else," said Jeff from Tonawanda. "I guess the organization thought they had to do what they've got to do, but I'm going to still support the Bills no matter what."
During Wednesday's press conference, owner Terry Pegula acknowledged the potential risk with the decision to fire McDermott, and the potential for high pressure on the next coach coming in. However, he doesn't believe there should be any kind of "Super Bowl or bust" mentality implemented with this decision.
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Fans feel any expectations with "Super Bowl or bust" for the next head coach hiring in Buffalo is a bit lofty.
"If you think about it, there's 32 teams in the league and only one is ever going to win it every single year. So if you think with that mentality, getting to the later rounds of the playoffs, or even just getting to the playoffs at all is worth the time. It's nice to see," Brad said.
"It's a lot of expectations to put right on a head coach coming in first season, but I guess this town's been waiting for it too, so I don't know," Jeff added.
What are Bills fans maybe hoping to see with the next head coach of the Bills? Brad feels if the Bills didn't like the defensive mindset similar to what McDermott brought to the table, maybe a more offensive-minded coach may fit better.
"If we're not thinking that that worked, then we try something completely different and not stick with the same thing," he said. "I know that [Brian] Daboll and McDermott didn't really see eye-to-eye, and Josh [Allen] and Daboll were close when he was here. That's an option to consider, but not really sure."
As for Jeff, he admits he doesn't have much of a preference for the next head coach in Buffalo.
"Maybe someone that just brings good leadership to the team. Not saying Sean didn't do that, obviously, but I just think the team really needs to be together right now," Jeff said. "A lot of them seem apart, so I feel like someone that brings the culture together again."