Doug Marrone Throws Wrinkle Into NFL Coaching Carousel

It looked like the field of available head coaches for the five NFL teams searching for one was set.  Then a new twist was added to the game.  Doug Marrone, head coach of the Buffalo Bills opted out of his current contract with the team.  Sources cited that he wasn’t comfortable with the instability at the ownership level, though some also indicate friction with GM Doug Whaley was another part of it.

This suddenly creates an interesting situation because now a head coach is available who wasn’t fired but instead decided to leave.  The reason Marrone could become the biggest fish of all, even over Rex Ryan or any of the popular coordinators is he is just 50-years old and led the Bills to their first winning season since 2004.  He has proven he knows how to build a good coaching staff around him and he also has a strong background in grooming quarterbacks.

The question is which team will be the favorite to go get him?

Look out for the New York Jets

If they had their eyes elsewhere before, get ready for the New York Jets to make a serious run at Marrone.  Why?  A few reasons.  They are on the lookout for a new GM as well.  If they can get Marrone first, then he might be able to be involved in the search and thus pinpoint somebody he can work with more closely, unlike Whaley.  However, the more important note is that Marrone has connections to the Jets.

He served as offensive line coach on the team for three seasons from 2002 to 2005.  New York is his home state.  After the Jets he took over as head coach at Syracuse and then made the jump to Buffalo.  It’s unlikely he wants to leave the state, making the Jets a perfect landing spot.