Bills introduce Marrone as Head Coach

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Bills are pinning their future playoff hopes on Doug Marrone, introduced today as the 16th Head Coach in franchise history.

"Right from the beginning, this is where I wanted to be," said Marrone.

The feeling was mutual. The Bills interviewed five candidates in Arizona last week, including about five different meetings with Marrone.

"Doug was the perfect candidate," said Bills President Russ Brandon. "We wanted toughness, we wanted intellect, we wanted a culture change, a guy that will bring leadership."

Marrone spent the last four years as the Head Coach at Syracuse. Prior to that, he was an NFL assistant coach for seven years - four with the Jets and three with the Saints.

In New Orleans, Marrone was the team's offensive coordinator, although he says he will not call his own plays with the Bills.

Marrone's focus will now shift to securing experienced assistant coaches to fill the offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator positions, before filling in the rest of his staff.

According to reports, the Bills have contacted the Jets about defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and Jacksonville about defensive coordinator Mel Tucker.