Bills make it official, hiring Syracuse's Marrone to become next coach of struggling franchise

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2010, file photo, Syracuse coach Doug Marrone stands near his players during an NCCA college football game against Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. Marrone reached an agreement to become the Buffalo Bills' new coach Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, three people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. One person said the sides were still putting the finishing touches on the contract for Marrone to sign. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - in this Oct. 9, 2010, file photo, Syracuse coach Don Marrone watches his team play South Florida during an NCAA college football game in Tampa, Fla. Marrone reached an agreement to become the Buffalo Bills' new coach Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, three people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. One person said the sides were still putting the finishing touches on the contract for Marrone to sign. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius, File) (The Associated Press)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – 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.

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