Buffalo Bills have appointed Sean McDermott as the club's news head coach, replacing Rex Ryan who was fired two weeks ago.
The 42-year-old takes his first step into a head coach's role having impressed during two interviews for the position and he leaves his position as Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator.
McDermott has 18 seasons of NFL experience, spending his first 12 years with the Philadelphia Eagles. He started as a scouting coordinator for two years, then mentored under late defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. He eventually succeeded Johnson in 2009 before his move to Charlotte in 2011.
Buffalo confirmed the deal on Wednesday, ended their search for a successor to Ryan who was sacked a fortnight ago after two years and no end to the Bills play-off drought which stretches to 17 years after ending 2016 with a 7-9 record.
McDermott becomes the team's ninth head coach since the 1999 season, when Buffalo last made the play-offs under Wade Phillips and their 20th in total.
"I am very appreciative of the opportunity to become the Buffalo Bills new head coach and join the rich tradition of Bills football. I am looking forward to connecting with our players, Bills staff and the passionate fan base.
"I want to thank Terry and Kim and I look forward to working with Doug and the entire football department," McDermott said in a statement released to the Bills website.
Interim coach Anthony Lynn had also been interviewed for the post, but McDermott's work at Carolina has impressed owner Terry Pegula and General Manager Doug Whaley.
"We believe we have hired a smart, determined and hard-working head coach who has been training for many years to achieve this goal. Sean is an ambitious leader who has the desire to lead this organisation to compete for and ultimately win a Super Bowl. We look forward to working with Sean for many years to come," Pegula told the franchise website.
"Sean McDermott is an excellent football coach and we feel he is the perfect leader for this team. Sean's intelligence, leadership qualities and vision for our team impressed us throughout the interview process. I am excited to begin working with Coach McDermott and his staff," Whaley added.