Brandon Beane

Carolina Panthers assistant general manager Brandon Beane and general manager Dave Gettleman prior to a game in 2015. Beane is reportedly a candidate to replace Doug Whaley in Buffalo.

(Jeff Siner | Charlotte Observer)

Orchard Park, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills are now looking for a new general manager after firing Doug Whaley following the conclusion of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Terry Pegula has clearly been influenced in a short time by new coach Sean McDermott, so it makes sense for Whaley's replacement to be someone McDermott is comfortable with. The first name to surface is Carolina Panthers assistant general manager Brandon Beane.

Here's what to know about him.

1. Beane has been in the league for 19 years, all with the Carolina Panthers. Beane, 39, began in the team's media relations office after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1998. He also worked as director of football operations and was named assistant general manager in June of 2015. He served as interim general manager in 2012 before the Panthers hired current GM Dave Gettleman.

2. Beane was a quarterback in high school, but an injury derailed his college prospects. He came to UNC-Wilmington with hopes of being a high school coach, but his "plans changed after speaking with a member of the Orlando Magic organization about jobs in professional sports," according to the school. He majored in communication studies and sought internships with the Panthers and Charlotte Hornets. "The NFL was my number one passion, but I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket," he said.

3. McDermott should be comfortable with Beane after spending six years as the defensive coordinator of the Panthers. The team went to the Super Bowl a few years ago and has drafted well over the years, so the connection makes a lot of sense.

4. Beane is more experience than you think. While he hasn't been assistant general manager for long, he got a taste of being a general manager when he was Carolina's assistant general manager back in 2012 before the team hired Gettleman. In that role, Beane went 6-4. The Panthers also credited Beane with executing draft-day trades that resulted in the Panthers drafting cornerback Bene' Benwikere, receiver Devin Funchess and offensive tackle Daryl Williams the past two years, according to the Panthers.

5. Beane was one of several candidate to interview for the San Francisco 49ers' general manager job in January. The team hired John Lynch later that month.