Bills hand coaching reins to Ryan
ORCHARD PARK, New York — Rex Ryan is officially going from Broadway to Buffalo.
The Bills announced in a statement Monday that Ryan has been hired to take over as coach. The news came a day after the former New York Jets coach tentatively accepted the Bills’ contract offer. Ryan replaces Doug Marrone, who stepped down abruptly on Dec. 31.
“Rex brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the position that we feel will be a tremendous benefit to our players and the entire Bills organization,” owner Terry Pegula said in a statement released by the team. “He was very impressive during the interview process, as were many of the candidates to which we spoke. And we feel Rex is the best fit for our team.”
Ryan will be formally introduced during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday.
The 52-year-old is a defensive specialist, and noted for a brash personality and having a deep loyalty to his players. Ryan had a 50-52 record, including 4-2 in the playoffs, in six seasons coaching the Bills’ AFC East rival. He was fired along with general manager John Idzik following a 4-12 finish last season.
The Jets reached and lost the AFC Championship game in each of Ryan’s first two seasons, but failed to make the playoffs since.
The Bills are already making plans to assist Ryan on offence. A person familiar with negotiations told The Associated Press that the Bills are finalizing contract discussions to hire Greg Roman as their offensive co-ordinator. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Roman has not yet been signed.
Roman spent the past four years as the San Fran- cisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator, and was among the 12 candidates interviewed by the Bills last week. He is regarded as a good fit under Ryan, because the two share a similar run-first philosophy.
Ryan’s hiring provides stability to a team that endured a tumultuous 10month stretch, which began when Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March. Wilson’s death raised concerns that the franchise might relocate under new owners before the Pegulas — who also own the NHL Buffalo Sabres — purchased the Bills for an NFL-record $1.4 billion in October.
Then came Marrone’s surprising departure following a 9-7 finish. Buffalo matched its best record in a decade, but missed the playoffs to extend the NFL’s longest active drought to 15 seasons.
The second-year coach quit by exercising an optout clause in his contract that kicked in once the Bills were sold. Marrone, who will be paid $4 million this season by the Bills, had concerns of where he fit in the team’s hierarchy. The Pegulas had expressed interest in hiring a veteran NFL presence to oversee the team’s football operations.