ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills are searching for a coach after Doug Marrone’s surprise decision to step down after the team’s best finish in a decade.
Bills owner Terry Pegula announced Wednesday that Marrone exercised the opt-out clause in his contract.
“We are disappointed that Coach Marrone will no longer be an important part of our organization,” Pegula said in a team statement. “We thank him for all of his hard work and leadership during his tenure, and wish him and his family the best with the next chapter in their lives.”
Pegula said the team will immediately begin searching for a coach. One candidate might already be on the staff in defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who previously spent five seasons coaching the Detroit Lions.
The Bills have gone through six head coaches since Wade Phillips was fired following the 2000 season.
Marrone’s decision to step down was a stunning one, coming after he led the Bills to a 9-7 finish in his second season in Buffalo. It was the Bills’ first winning season since a 9-7 finish in 2004. Buffalo, however, missed the playoffs to extend the NFL’s longest active postseason drought to 15 seasons.
“Surprised me. Didn’t see it coming,” center Eric Wood said in a text message to The Associated Press.
Starting safety Aaron Williams blasted Marrone in a tweet.
“Lost all respect!!” Williams said.
The opt-out clause in Marrone’s contract went into effect after Pegula and wife Kim bought the team in October. Marrone had until Wednesday to make his decision.
The team was sold after Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March.
Marrone went 15-17 in Buffalo. He was hired after four seasons at Syracuse, where Marrone helped revive his alma mater’s struggling program.
The decision to step down came two weeks after Marrone told reporters he wasn’t going anywhere after the Bills were eliminated from playoff contention following a 26-24 loss at the Oakland Raiders.
On Monday, Marrone sidestepped a question about his future when asked whether he would consider opting out of his contract.
“I do not discuss my contract. That’s my rule. I never have and never will,” he said.
Marrone is now free to explore other job openings.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
