ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Sitting in a hot tub overlooking a postcard-perfect panoramic view of the sun setting behind the Smoky Mountains, Perry Fewell never had an inkling his long-imagined opportunity of a lifetime of being an NFL head coach hung on the misty horizon.
``No,'' the Buffalo Bills' newly appointed interim coach recalled of that July day. ``I never envisioned it. I never thought about it sitting in that hot tub at that particular time.''
Not this season, not in Buffalo, and especially not with the way things unfolded Tuesday, when the Bills defensive coordinator was promoted after his good friend Dick Jauron was abruptly fired in what could be the start of a major shakeup by team owner Ralph Wilson.
The sudden turn of events came as a shock to Fewell, who's never been a head coach at any level since serving as a graduate assistant at North Carolina in 1985.
That doesn't mean the 47-year-old feels unprepared as he makes his debut Sunday, when the Bills (3-6) play at Jacksonville (5-4).
As relaxing as it was to spend part of his summer lounging at a friend's cabin in rural North Carolina, football wasn't far from his mind.
In what has become a customary vacation tradition since he first broke into the NFL in 1998 as a defensive assistant with the Jaguars, Fewell's wife, Kathleen, was peppering him with questions and hypothetical scenarios of what he'd do if he was ever a head coach.
``We have a list of questions, 'Hey, if this guy's injured what happens?''' Fewell explained. ``Actually, she started drawing up coverages in '98.''
The preparation has paid off.
In his three-plus seasons in Buffalo, Fewell earned praise for his ability to adapt in crisis, by keep focused what's perennially been a young and injury-riddled defense. That's especially been true this season.
Despite missing as many as six regulars to injuries and allowing a league-worst 173 yards rushing, the Bills defense has been credited for keeping the team competitive. Except for a 38-10 loss at Miami on Oct. 4, the Bills have had the lead, been tied or within one score of the lead entering the fourth quarter eight times this season.
Wilson took notice of Fewell's abilities.
``He's done a good job with the defense with the players we've got left,'' Wilson said with a laugh. ``And we don't have too many left.''
The challenge for Fewell is to fix an offense that's lacked identity and spark, despite Terrell Owens' presence.
Fewell's first move was to bench quarterback Trent Edwards and go with Ryan Fitzpatrick, saying he believes the backup gives the Bills the best opportunity to win.
Fewell has a fiery personality, which is a significant switch from the low-key Jauron. Fewell can also be funny at times, once referring to the prolific 2007 Tom Brady-led New England Patriots offense as one that could keep pace with the Kevin Garnett-led Boston Celtics.
He can be blunt, too. After allowing a combined 472 yards rushing in consecutive losses to New Orleans and Miami this season, Fewell called it ``unacceptable'' and added: ``I don't think 470 yards is an embarrassment as much as getting your butts kicked.''
And he can be passionate. ``Play like hell and win,'' was how Fewell explained his vision for turning around the Bills on Tuesday.
Safety Donte Whitner has long believed Fewell has what it takes to be a head coach.
``He's got everybody's respect in this locker room,'' Whitner said, noting Fewell went out of his way to talk to players on defense and offense as a coordinator. ``He takes charge. He had our attention on Wednesday, he had our attention yesterday and today.''
There's no guarantee Fewell will shed the interim label in Buffalo. According to STATS LLC, only two of the NFL's 14 interim coaches this decade - Gary Moeller in Detroit in 2000 and Mike Singletary in San Francisco in 2008 - had winning records. None of the 14 made the playoffs.
Wilson has also expressed an interest in going after a high-profile coach this offseason.
Fewell is unshaken.
``We're week to week, year to year as football coaches anyway,'' he said.
A defensive back at Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., it was Fewell's intention to become a banker, of all things, once he graduated. Those plans changed when former North Carolina coach Dick Crum invited Fewell to be a graduate assistant.
``I fell in love with coaching,'' Fewell said. ``And I've never looked back.''
