Whaley described the Bills season as "not good enough," and accepted the blame for the team's failure to make the playoffs.
Whaley is heading the coaching search — the Bills third in four years. While he'll make the recommendation, Pegula and his wife Kim will have the final say on who is hired.
"(Whaley) had input on the basis of conversations throughout the year, what the problems were," Pegula said. "But did Doug ever say,Cheap Shoes Wholesale China Free Shipping, 'Are we firing our coach, are we keeping our coach?' We never had that conversation. I took it upon myself to tell Rex on the basis of conversations about the games and the aftermath of certain games that, hey, things aren't going well."
Pegula said he made what he called "an executive decision" to fire Ryan during his weekly conference call with the coach and Whaley,Wholesale China Jerseys Free Shpping.
Pegula acknowledge the Bills placed Lynn in a tough situation, getting only five days to prepare to coach against the Jets, and minus his starting quarterback. With the Bills out of playoff contention, Pegula said the decision was made to bench starter Tyrod Taylor to evaluate backup EJ Manuel and rookie fourth-round pick Cardale Jones.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula has full confidence in general manager Doug Whaley's ability to turn around his franchise, and outlined the reasons coach Rex Ryan was fired in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press.
"None of us are happy with the season," Pegula said during a 17-minute phone interview with The AP on Monday.
Ryan was a defensive specialist who oversaw a unit that finished 19th in yards allowed in each of his two seasons. This year, Buffalo also allowed opposing running backs to gain 200 yards rushing three times.
A person with direct knowledge of the situation told The AP that Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is scheduled to interview with the Bills, though a date has yet to be scheduled. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills and Panthers have not revealed that information.
"I'll say this much, it starts with me. I have to do a better job," he said, before noting the team's not far off.
Pegula says he's disappointed in having to change coaches after only two years, but says he had no other choice to fire Ryan after the Bills defense showed few signs of progress during the season.
As for Taylor's future, Pegula said that was still to be evaluated before the Bills have to decide in March to pick up the option on his five-year contract extension.
Pegula defended the Bills at a time critics are questioning the team's direction.
Two other candidates have emerged.
Pegula did pay Taylor a compliment when reminded he went 7-8 this season.
Pegula backed up Whaley's comments in his first interview since Ryan was fired on Dec. 27 and replaced by Anthony Lynn,Cheap Shoes Websites, who took over as interim coach.
Manuel, who is completing the final year of his contract, struggled in going 9 of 20 for 86 yards and a lost fumble, before being replaced by Jones to start the fourth quarter.
"We are not a 4-12 team. We are a 7-9 team," Whaley said. "Now do we need to get better? Absolutely. But we are not that far away, we don't believe."
Pegula based his decision on his own observations, input he's received from his front-office staff over the course of the season, and also on previous discussions he's had with Ryan regarding addressing the team's struggles.
Ryan recommended Lynn to take over as interim coach for Buffalo's final game.
"Maybe he can win more games than that, I don't know," Pegula said. "But when the other side of the ball's not performing, it's hard to outscore people."
Pegula said he had no choice but to set things straight with Ryan.
One of the low points for Pegula was a 38-24 loss at Oakland on Dec. 4, in which the Bills squandered 24-9 third-quarter lead.

"I was asked a point-blank question and based on the discussions we've been having all year, I felt it was better to tell Rex that we were going in a different direction," Pegula said.
Though Pegula was going to wait to evaluate Ryan's job after the season, he said he probably would've come to the same conclusion now as he did a week ago.
The Bills led the NFL in rushing for a second consecutive season and tied for 10th in points scored. The Bills passing attack did hold them back by finishing 30th.
Pegula referred to Lynn as only a candidate to replace Ryan, but "not a lock" to take over the job on a permanent basis.
"There's no dysfun