John Parry, a former NFL official with 19 years of experience, has been hired by the Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott to serve as an officiating liaison. This news was confirmed by a person familiar with the hiring but has not been officially announced by the team. The New York Post was the first to report Parry’s hiring.
The Bills are among the first NFL teams to hire an official to their coaching staff. McDermott, who is going into his eighth season as coach, has had some success with his challenge decisions but is looking to improve. Parry’s expertise in the rules of the game will not only help in challenge situations but also in managing the clock late in games. He can provide advice on when to call timeouts and how to navigate penalty situations, as well as keeping up with any rule changes introduced by the league.
Parry retired after working his third Super Bowl at the end of the 2018 season and has since been a rules analyst for ESPN. His wealth of experience will be a valuable asset to McDermott and the Bills as they continue their quest for success on the field. Having a former official on staff will give them a unique advantage that could make a difference in close games and crucial moments.
