Dave Wannstedt: Will New Bills DC Land Another Head Coaching Job in NFL?

The Buffalo Bills were not the most defensive-minded bunch this season, which was part of the reason they finished 6-10 and in last place in the AFC East.

But the Bills aimed to rectify that on Monday, firing defensive coordinator George Edwards and promoting Dave Wannstedt, per ESPN.

Wannstedt, as you may remember, was a longtime NFL coach before becoming the head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers for six seasons, employing a defensive approach while with the school and going 42-31.

In that sense, Wannstedt, who has already been serving as an assistant coach for head coach Chan Gailey, is a good replacement and not a bad option to improve the defense.

The question is, does this open up the door for him to become a head coach in the NFL again, possibly at the expense of Gailey?

I don't see why not, if Wannstedt is interested.

Let's be clear: Wannstedt has had troubles keeping jobs after a few years at one spot. He was fired by the Chicago Bears in 1998 after two straight 4-12 seasons. He resigned as head coach of the Miami Dolphins after they had posted a 1-8 record in 2004. And he resigned from Pittsburgh after going 7-5 last season and failing to lead the Panthers to a BCS bowl during his tenure.

But he has had bright spots, including leading the Dolphins to back-to-back 11-5 seasons and Pittsburgh to a 10-3 record in 2009. He's also a strong defensive coach who would be a nice addition for a team in need of a defensive facelift.

In that sense, Wannstedt's best chance as head coach in the NFL now may actually be with the Bills.

If I was Gailey, I'd be looking over my shoulder.