To start the week, the Buffalo Bills made a cunning, under-the-radar move that will only benefit the offense. DJ Mangas was purportedly brought on by Buffalo to help with offense. An offensive assistant hire doesn’t usually make a difference. However, Mangas’ relationship with offensive coordinator Joe Brady makes him an intriguing addition to the Bills’ coaching staff.
Brady and Mangas are very close. The two were teammates on the William & Mary college football team. More significantly, they worked together at LSU during the Tigers’ historic 2019 season, which included incredible performances from Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Joe Burrow. Mangas sat beside Brady during LSU’s run for the national championship.
Regarding #LSU’s hiring of DJ Mangas: I just realized that Joe Brady, at age 31, now has a *coaching tree*. Mangas, literally, sat next to Joe Brady in the coaches’ booth as the Tigers went 15-0 with one of the sport’s best offenses. — Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 6, 2021
Since then, Mangas has worked as the passing game coordinator at LSU and as an assistant with the Carolina Panthers. Most recently, he worked as the University of Buffalo’s offensive coordinator.
It’s not as though the Bills’ offense will suddenly get much better with Mangas on the team. However, Brady will feel a little more at ease in his position as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator with his addition. On an offensive staff, continuity is critical. Additionally, Mangas—who presided over Brady’s wedding—will offer some much-needed continuity.
This action also demonstrates Sean McDermott’s dedication to allowing Brady to lead his offense, something the inexperienced play-caller wasn’t really able to do in his brief tenure as the Panthers’Under Matt Rhule, Brady served as offensive coordinator (a position that somewhat derailed his career).
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