Linebacker Kiko Alonso’s first year in the NFL went well enough that he’s a strong contender to be named defensive rookie of the year.
Things didn’t go as smoothly for one of his position coaches. The Bills have announced via a brief release that linebackers coach Chuck Driesbach has been relieved of his duties. It was Driesbach’s first year on the Bills’ staff and his first year as an NFL assistant after spending 36 years in the college ranks.
Driesbach’s main focus was on inside linebackers and it’s hard to argue with the work he did bringing Alonso along in the second-round pick’s first professional season.
The Bills also had Jim O’Neil on the staff as a linebackers coach in 2013, which could mean that he’ll take on more responsibility with Driesbach out of the picture. O’Neil came to Buffalo after serving on the Jets’ defensive staff under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
Driesbach is the second member of head coach Doug Marrone’s first staff to lose his job. Wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard has also been let go since the end of the regular season. That move was chalked up to a difference in philosophy, but there’s been no comment on the reason for Driesbach’s departure at this point.
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