Important Dates in Bills History, presented by M&T Bank, helps fans recognize what's important. In the NFL, it's important to have a coach with a winning mentality and on Nov. 3, 1986 the Bills got exactly what they ordered in Marv Levy.
After finishing in last place in the 1985 season and a tough start to the 1986 season, founding owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. knew it was time to make a change. On November 3, 1986, Wilson fired head coach Hank Bullough and brought in former Kansas City Chiefs coach Marv Levy.
Levy quickly created a winning culture in Buffalo. The following season, the Bills would record a 12-4 record and go on to win his first of six AFC Eastern Division titles.
Levy's innovative high-powered "no huddle" offense would set a new standard in the league that still permeates today.
In 11 seasons, Levy would lead the Bills to the playoff eight times, including four Super Bowls. He would be named NFL Coach of the Year in 1988 and AFC Coach of the Year in 1988, 1993 and 1995. Levy was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and remains the winningest Coach in Bills history with a 112-70 regular season record and was 11-8 in the postseason.
The Coe College graduate was named to the Bills Wall of Fame in 1996 before receiving enshrinement in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
