Bills Place OL Coach Aaron Kromer On Paid Administrative Leave Following Arrest

Update:

A representative of the Walton County Sheriffs office said a Florida state attorney may pursue child abuse charges against Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer, since the physical altercation that took place were against three underage boys, per TMZ.

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Walton County Sheriffs office told Mike Rodak of ESPN that witnesses told 911 that Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer had been drinking the night of the arrest, though police cannot confirm that at this point in time.

According to Rodak, a Florida state attorney has issued a criminal summons to Kromer’s son, Zachary Kromer–but is awaiting a judges approval.

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Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports that the Walton County Sheriffs office is also pursuing charges against Zachary Kromer, the son of Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer.

According to Garafolo, Kromer’s son allegedly put his hands around the throat of one of the friends of the boy who claimed to be assaulted by the Bills offensive line coach.

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The Buffalo Bills announced Tuesday that they’ve placed OL coach Aaron Kromer’s on paid administrative leave following his recent arrest for battery with intent to cause bodily harm.

“Over the last few days our organization has continued to gather information in regards to the alleged incident involving Offensive Line Coach Aaron Kromer,” president Russ Brandon said in a released statement.

“We have been in regular discussions with the league office and have decided to place Aaron on indefinite paid administrative leave in accordance with the league’s Personal Conduct Policy while we continue to work our way through the investigative process with the league.”

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The Walton County Sheriffs office released Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer’s arrest report on Monday.

Aaron Kromer Arrest Report Page 1. pic.twitter.com/VqxDyIYfFx

— Walton Co. Sheriff (@WCSOFL) July 13, 2015

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Alex Marvez of FOX Sports spoke to a source Sunday who said that Bills offensive coach Aaron Kromer was defending himself and responding to the theft of his beach chairs.

“It was dark out he couldn’t see the people,” Marvez’s source said. “The kids were belligerent and threatened him. Bottom line, they stole his property and he couldn’t identify them because it was dark out and they threatened him.”

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Mike Rodak of ESPN takes a look at the Bills’ options if they end up deciding it’s best to move on from offensive coach Aaron Kromer, who was arrested early Sunday for battery.

According to Rodak, the Bills, essentially, have three options:

1. Promote assistant offensive line coach Kurt Anderson.
2. Have Offensive coordinator Greg Roman take over duties with the help of other staff members.
3. Hire someone from the outside such as Packers assistant offensive line coach Mike Solari or 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster.

Meanwhile, Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report suggests the Bills could bring back offensive coach Pat Morris, given that he knows roster.

Another option outside of the team could be long-time offensive line coach George Yarno, who is currently recovering from cancer, according to Cole.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer was arrested early Sunday for battery with intent to cause bodily harm.

According to Rapoport, Kromer’s arrest for assault and battery was for a physical altercation with his neighbor’s son.

Here is the information from the Walton County (Fla.) Jail on #Bills OL coach Aaron Kromer’s arrest and charge pic.twitter.com/J8C1JAciXq

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 12, 2015

The Walton County Sheriff’s office issued a press release Saturday detailing the allegations against Kromer.

On Saturday night deputies with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Winston lane at Inlet Beach in Walton County, Fla in reference to a battery.

When they arrived deputies spoke to the caller and learned three boys had been fishing on the beach when the suspect, later identified as Buffalo Bills Offensive Line Coach AaronKromer, and the suspect’s son confronted them over the use of beach chairs left by a beach access.

Victims told deputies Kromer grabbed their fishing pole and threw the pole into the water and then pushed one of the boys to the ground and punched him in the face. It was stated Kromer then told the boys to return the chairs to where they found them.

The victim stated Kromer also told him if he reported him to the police he would kill his family.

Kromer was subsequently arrested early Sunday morning on a misdemeanor battery charge and transported and booked into the Walton County Jail. He has since been released on bond.

WCSO is continuing to investigate and additional charges may be filed. WCSO executive staff will be reviewing this case first thing Monday morning when the redacted arrest report will be made available. Thank you for your cooperation and patience.

The Bills have since issued a statement regarding the situation: “We are aware of the report and in the process of gathering the facts.”

Kromer was the Bears’ offensive coordinator last season, but replaced once the season had concluded. It’s worth mentioning that Kromer was the one who publicly criticized Bears QB Jay Cutler.