Getty

Sean McDermott coaches the Buffalo Bills from the sideline during an NFL game.

Former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott is still stinging over his final moments with the team.

McDermott was fired after a bitter playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, one that was punctuated by a controversial interception in overtime. McDermott spoke out about the play and the team’s future in his first televised interview since being abruptly fired back in January.

Sean McDermott Shares Regret Over Bills Ending

In an appearance on the NFL Network, McDermott said went through a difficult period after he was fired days after the season ended. The former Bills coach said he had thought about what it would be like to be fired, but said he found clarity afterward and found the benefit of spending more time with his family.

McDermott said he felt terrible about the ending of the season, when the Broncos were awarded an interception on what the Bills coach — and many fans — thought should have been a catch for wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

“Well, I think this more than anything, Rich, is I think about it for our team,” McDermott said. “I think about it for the fans of the Buffalo Bills, Bills Mafia, and all the work that we put into it. But I don’t really think specifically a lot about that moment because at the end of the day, that’s beyond my control.”

McDermott said he believes that call decided the game.

“We would have won the football game. I do believe that.” McDermott said, adding that he was “fully confident” the Bills would have taken out the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game to reach the Super Bowl.

McDermott bristled at the idea that any of his time was a failure, saying there were plenty of successes for the Bills, even without a Super Bowl appearance.

“It did work, we were very successful,” McDermott said, citing the end of the team’s playoff drought and the changing of the future.

Sean McDermott Optimistic About Buffalo’s Future

McDermott added that he believes he left the team in a good position to build on their success, sharing an optimistic view of their future.

“I believe the Bills are in a very good spot,” he said.

McDermott also expressed confidence in his successor, Joe Brady, who served as offensive coordinator.

“He’s going to do a good job, and I look forward to watching him,” McDermott said.

McDermott is taking it easy this year, saying he plans to spend the year with his family before considering new coaching jobs in the next hiring cycle. Because the Bills were eliminated so late last season, there were few openings left for McDermott to consider.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who coached with McDermott on the staff of the Philadelphia Eagles, said he believes it will be a beneficial year for the former Bills coach.

“I think it’s real beneficial when you go through something like that, to refresh and spend some time with family,” Spagnuolo said. “I thought he should reflect and refresh so that when he gets this next opportunity, he’d be ready for that. The things I suggested to him were to try to concentrate this offseason on things that he felt like we need to improve on — weaknesses, whether it was X’s and O’s or some head-coaching (responsibilities) — and kind of strengthen those.”