Bills, Sean McDermott discuss coaching vacancy for second time

Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, the leading candidate for the Bills'head coaching vacancy, is interviewing for a second timewith Buffalo ownership, sources told ESPN, confirming a report by The Associated Press.

McDermott, 42, is meeting with Bills ownership in the second interview, which is taking place Wednesday in Boca Raton, Florida.

Discussions have continued by phone since the first meeting between the Bills and McDermott's representation, multiple sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano.

In recent days, McDermott has received encouraging answers to his questions about the team's front office structure and how it would work day-to-day if he took the job, the sources said. McDermott is not seeking "control" as much as he is seeking specifics about who's responsible for what and how they'll all work together, according to the sources.

Bills owner Terry Pegula and his wife, co-owner Kim Pegula, tapped Bills general manager Doug Whaley to lead the coaching search after Rex Ryan was fired Dec. 27. Whaley, who will enter his fifth season as Bills general manager in 2017, said he was part of a "committee approach" that included team president Russ Brandon when Ryan was hired in 2015.

McDermott has discussed with the Bills the staff he would like to put together, and former San Diego Chargers coach Mike McCoy is a candidate for offensive coordinator if McDermott gets the job in Buffalo, the sources said. McCoy was the Denver Broncos' offensive coordinator from 2009 to 2012 before becoming the Chargers' head coach in 2013.

Discussions Wednesday will focus on contract details, although there are other issues to sort through before the sides can come to an agreement, the sources said.

McDermott spent the past six seasons leading the Panthers' defense after two seasons (2009-10) as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive coordinator.

Panthers assistant head coach/secondary Steve Wilks is expected to be promoted to defensive coordinator should McDermott be named the Bills' head coach, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson.

The Bills finished 7-9 in 2016 and have missed the postseason for 17 consecutive seasons. In 31 games as Bills coach, Ryan had a 15-16 record.