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Doug Marrone steps down as coach of Bills

FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2014, file photo, Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone watches as players warm up before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif. Marrone has stepped down as coach of the Bills. Bills owner Terry Pegula said Wednesday, Dec. 31 that Marrone exercised the opt-out clause in his contract. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2014, file photo, Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone watches as players warm up before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif. Marrone has stepped down as coach of the Bills. Bills owner Terry Pegula said Wednesday, Dec. 31 that Marrone exercised the opt-out clause in his contract. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2014, file photo, Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone watches as players warm up before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif. Marrone has stepped down as coach of the Bills. Bills owner Terry Pegula said Wednesday, Dec. 31 that Marrone exercised the opt-out clause in his contract. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

By Associated Press 2 min read

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – 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.

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 in 10 years.