The Buffalo Bills are making serious moves in their head coaching search, and a prominent defensive mind just threw his hat into the ring! The team officially wrapped up an interview with Lou Anarumo, the current defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, on Thursday. This marks the third candidate the Bills have spoken with, following their discussions with their own offensive coordinator, Joe Brady, and former Giants head coach Brian Daboll.
Anarumo isn't new to the coaching world; he brings an impressive 36 years of coaching experience to the table, with 13 of those years spent in the NFL. He just completed his inaugural season as the Colts' defensive coordinator in 2025. Before that, he honed his defensive strategies for six seasons in the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals. During his final year with the Bengals, his defense was a formidable force, ranking in the top 10 across the NFL in crucial categories like interceptions, interceptions returned for touchdowns, and passes defensed.
But here's where it gets interesting: Anarumo's defensive prowess has clearly caught the eye of multiple teams. The Colts' defense under his guidance in 2025 was statistically dominant, finishing in the top 10 in several key areas. They were particularly stingy against the run, allowing only 1,732 rushing yards (seventh in the league) and an incredibly efficient 3.9 yards per carry (tied for second). Their pass defense was also elite, surrendering just 4,462 passing yards (second in the league).
And this is the part most people miss: Anarumo has been on the radar for other head coaching positions before. He was a candidate for both the Giants and the Titans, though those teams ultimately opted for John Harbaugh and Robert Saleh, respectively.
The Bills are casting a wide net, and Anarumo is just one of several highly regarded individuals they're considering to fill the shoes of Sean McDermott. Other notable candidates the Bills have identified include Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Commanders running backs coach and run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, and Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
What do you think? Is Anarumo's defensive-first approach exactly what the Bills need to turn things around? Or should they be looking for a different kind of leader? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
