The 2001 season was the Buffalo Bills' 42nd season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was fired, and was replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. At 3–13, they finished the season with the worst record in the whole American Football Conference and at last place in the AFC East division for the first time since 1985. John Butler, who had been the Bills' general manager from 1993 to 2000, left to take the same position with the San Diego Chargers. He was replaced by Tom Donahoe, who would remain with the Bills through the 2005 season.