ORCHARD PARK — Craig Bohl chopped it with a former pupil a key member of the Buffalo Bills after practice.
The old coach spent several minutes Tuesday talking to defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, who played for Bohl at North Dakota State from 2002-2005. But it was another former player who Bohl was really there to see.
Before and after practice, Bills quarterback Josh Allen wrapped his old coach in a bear hug. It was Bohl in 2015, who was the only FBS coach who was willing to make a commitment to Allen while at Reedley College.
By then the coach at the University of Wyoming, Bohl was the only coach to visit Allen’s family farm. And yet Bohl isn’t surprised by any of the success that Allen’s had, despite needing to grow 2 inches and gain 15 pounds after high school to get interest from Wyoming.
“We knew how talented he was and I knew what type of person he was,” Bohl told GNN Sports. “Everybody matures differently. This league can humble you and he’s able to persevere. Now it doesn’t surprise me, but I’m really encouraged to see his maturity level.”
Allen threw for 5,066 yards and 44 touchdowns at Wyoming, while running for 767 yards and 12 scores. He led the Cowboys to consecutive eight-win seasons for the first time in nearly 30 years, and when the Bills selected him seventh overall in the 2018 NFL draft, Allen became the highest player from Wyoming ever taken.
Allen wouldn’t divulge any secrets about Bohl, but quipped that his old coach wasn’t able to teach him to slide, which is something his current coach hasn’t been able to do consistently either. But two days before the Bills open the season against the Baltimore Ravens, he will be inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame.
“It’s very cool to be remembered there,” Allen said. “Coach Bohl and the University of Wyoming, I wouldn’t be here without them. It’s very cool to be honored by something that’s so close and near to my heart. It’s a pretty cool achievement.”
Wyoming has leaned into Allen’s success in recent years. In its press release announcing the hall of fame class, Wyoming said Allen was “the most popular and dynamic player ever to play at UW.”
During last year’s Super Bowl, the Cowboy State Daily reported the school spent $2 million on a 30-second television commercial celebrating his MVP season. Wyoming was also a sponsor on the team’s preseason television broadcast Saturday and it will take it a step further by sponsoring a Bills game this season.
Buffalo’s Week 11 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the Native American heritage-themed game, sponsored by Wyoming. It joins St. Bonaventure as the only colleges to sponsor a game for the Bills this season.
All of it is an attempt to leverage its most famous player to help the Wyoming brand, titling the Super Bowl commercial “Where real MVPs are made.” And Allen’s Wyoming No. 17 jersey is a popular purchase amongst Bills fans.
It comes as Allen’s brand is growing. He’s been on the cover of the Madden video game, in commercials for Gatorade, Gillette razors and now Snickers.
“We talked to our president about that, the impact and it’s come to fruition,” said Bohl, who retired in 2023 after 10 seasons as Wyoming’s coach.
Before Allen’s is honored by Wyoming, the Bills have a preseason game in Chicago Sunday. Allen did not play in the team’s preseason opener against the Giants and Bills coach Sean McDermott said “we’ll see” when asked if the quarterback would play against the Bears.
Allen played in last year’s preseason opener, but did not appear in the second game against the Steelers. It came on the heels of a joint practice, something the Bills are scheduled to attend with the Bears Friday.
“I think we’re in a good spot,” Allen said. “Going and practicing against somebody where you’re not live. I think those are good reps to get and it’s practicing against somebody else. So, no, I don’t think I need preseason reps. If I were to get them, I would appreciate them. But I don’t think it’s a situation where we need to get out there.”