ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP jAN 7, 2013) – It’s official: Doug Marrone is the Buffalo Bills’ new coach.
 
     The franchise released the announcement via text message on Monday. A news conference at the team’s facility will follow.
 
     Hired after going 25-25 in four seasons at Syracuse, Marrone agreed to the contract on Sunday. The 48-year-old from the Bronx takes over a week after Chan Gailey was fired following three consecutive losing seasons.
 
     Marrone becomes the Bills’ fifth coach in 12 years, and inherits a franchise that newly promoted team president Russ Brandon described as having a “tarnished” reputation.
 
     Buffalo’s 13-season playoff drought is the NFL’s longest active streak, and the team has not had a winning record since 2004, when it finished 9-7.
 
     Marrone is described as a no-nonsense disciplinarian. He has seven seasons of NFL coaching experience as an assistant,  with New Orleans and the New York Jets.