Bills name Doug Marrone head coach

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - League sources tells News 4 sports that a deal has been agreed to in principle for Syracuse University football coach Doug Marrone to become the Buffalo Bill's next head coach.  A contract has not yet been signed however, the formal signed agreement could be announced as soon as Monday.

While Oregon's Chip Kelly is the hot coaching name in college football, Syracuse coach Marrone is more of a known commodity in NFL circles.

Before coaching the Orange, Marrone spent seven years as an NFL assistant - first as the offensive line for the Jets under Head Coach Herm Edwards for four seasons, then as the Saints offensive coordinator for three years.

With the Saints from 2006-2008, Marrone's offense led the NFL in total offense twice in that three-year span with Drew Brees as the quarterback.

He left for Syracuse before the 2009 season, calling it his "dream job." Marrone played for Syracuse, starting for three years along the offensive line.

Before Marrone's arrive at Syracuse, the Orange had not had a winning season since 2001. He went 25-25, twice leading the Orange to wins in the Pinstripe Bowl (2010 and 2012).

Upon arriving at SU, Marrone quickly tried to change the culture within the program. Large numbers of players left the program early in his tenure at Syracuse.

His college coaching career also began in New York state, as an assistant at SUNY Cortland in 1992.