The 2001 Buffalo Bills season was the team’s forty-second season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. John Butler, who had been the Bills general manager from 1993–2000, left to become the new G.M. of the San Diego Chargers. Butler was replaced by Tom Donahoe, who would remain with the Bills through the 2005 season.