Coach Stephen Lian of Brighton High School in Section V (Rochester Region) has been named the Buffalo Bills nominee for the Don Shula NFL High School Football Coach of the Year award.
The award honors high school football coaches that "demonstrate the integrity, achievement and leadership exemplified by the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula," according to the NFL Foundation.
Lian and his coaching staff led the Brighton Bruins to a 12-1 record, the most wins in a season in school history. The Bruins also won their first ever Sectional Championship and Far West Regional Championship in school history.
"It's very humbling knowing that there are so few that are nominated each year," Lian said.
While Lian was very humbled and happy to receive the award, he gave the credit to the coaching staff that he worked with this season for being able to find success.
"I've been fortunate to have received some awards, especially this year and over time, but it's definitely a full staff effort," Lian said. "It's really everybody else involved, and no one person more important than the next. So, I really want to give a lot of thanks to my coaching staff."
When Lian won the Section V Championship, he became the first Asian American head coach to win the Section V championship. He said of all of his accomplishments, this meant the most to him.
"It is very meaningful for me," Lian said. "To be able to pave my own way, and then see it culminate and making the accomplishment to be able to do that, it for sure, is special to me. I've got three kids of my own… and for them to be able to see that their dad was able to do this and know where it all started that's been very special."
Lian has built his team around the motto "The Strength of the Pack."
"Everything we do is around how each individual can help the Pack as a whole," Lian said. "In all our endeavors, whether with other winter/spring sports teams, in classrooms, in the community, or on the field, we always put honoring The Pack first and always conduct ourselves in a manner that represents the program and community in a positive way. This the one non-negotiable that all players in the program understand and live by."
Lian also had the opportunity to coach his son and said that it was an awesome experience because football is about family for him. His youngest son was also a waterboy for the team and the moment that they won the championship was a special moment for all of them.
"As a dad, you can't possibly ask for anything more than that," Lian said.
Lian and his team invest their time in the community around Brighton. As he and his team live in the community, he feels that it is important to use the platform that they have as a way to make it a better place.
"Football is this finite period of time that our kids have to participate in it, but we hope that the lessons from football last forever, and so making sure they know that we have this platform… to be able to use that attention and then Springboard it in other ways, beyond just people coming to interview us after a win I think that's really important for our players."
In partnership with Niagara Youth Flag Football, the Buffalo Bills hosted a free flag football clinic for kids ages 9 – 14 on January 5th at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario. The clinic featured flag football instructional stations where kids learned the fundamentals of the game from Buffalo Bills Alumni Donald Jones, coaches from the Niagara Youth Flag Football organization and Buffalo Bills Youth Football staff.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Buffalo Bills Flag Football Clinic, January 05, 2025 at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland, Ontario.
Two important topics to Lian are education and concussion safety. He graduates 100% of his players and the team places an emphasis on supporting all of his players with their academic needs. When his players start high school they are given a college recruitment manual to help guide anyone that is considering playing at the next level through the college football recruiting process. While he was an assistant coach at Pittsford high school he saw how the coaches there helped their athletes and he wanted to do the same when he took over his program.
"When I took over a program, it was really important for me to want to be able to continue to pay that off for my players," Lian said.
Concussion awareness is also an important topic to Lian, as he has sons that play football. It is not just concussion prevention that is important to him, injury prevention overall is important to him and the team works at injury prevention through their partnership with the University of Rochester.
To help with concussion prevention, all players wear Guardian Caps even through their workouts in the summer.
"We want to be on the forefront of anything we can do to help, and not only concussions but really, any kind of injury prevention through our strength and conditioning program," Lian said. "I have my own children that play in the program. I want to make sure I can look in the eye of any parent that's going to think about playing for us and say that we're going to do everything we can to keep your kids healthy."
In celebration of the first year of the Bills Play 60 Charged Up By Wegmans program, participating students and teachers from Rochester and Buffalo were invited to the Bills vs. Jets game on 12/29 to be recognized during a special pre-game Play 60 ceremony. The teachers and students then joined community partners from Wegmans, BestSelf Behavioral Health, Project Play WNY, and The Buffalo/Niagara American Heart Association in holding the Bills player introduction banners.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets, Regular Season, December 29, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.
Lian has been coaching at Brighton for 13 seasons and views this season as a culmination of all of the years, players and families from the past.
"It's for sure a historic season, but it's really a culmination of the last decade," Lian said. "We took over, My staff joined me, in taking over a program that had been really at the bottom of the barrel in our area for several decades and there were a lot of early years of frustration, of it not going faster and, but still, kind of everybody having to hold together to kind of make sure the foundation was solid before we build anything too fast… It's really about we had a lot of players and families that put a lot of faith in us in the early years… When we accomplished what we did this year, that's really what I was thinking about."
In addition to being nominated for the Don Shula award, Lian is the Buffalo Bills and Legends Global Merchandise Coach of the Year for Section V, while Jeremy Zimmer was named the Bills and Legends Coach of the Year for Section VI (Buffalo Region).
Each coach, as well as 20 coaches who earned Buffalo Bills and Legends Global Merchandise Coach of the Week honors throughout the season, were honored at halftime of the Buffalo Bills Week 17 game against the New York Jets.
