Marrone leaves SU for NFL

Doug Marrone is heading back to the NFL.

After interviewing with the Buffalo Bills Friday night, Syracuse University head football coach Doug Marrone decided to take the job left vacant by Chan Gailey and coach the Bills for 2013-2014 season, according to ESPN.com and NFL.com. 

There has been no word from Marrone yet, nor has any contract been signed.

Marrone became the head coach of the Orange four seasons ago, turning around a program that was a perrenial Big East bottom-feeder. in 2010, Marrone led the Orange to an 8-5 record and it's first bowl victory since 2001. Two years later, the Orange recovered from a 2-4 start to finish 7-6 and win another bowl victory.

Before coming to Syracuse in 2009, Marrone coached in the NFL for six seasons. He was the offensive line coach for the New York Jets from 2002-2005 and was the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints from 2006-2008. In 2008, the Saints led the league in total offense and passing offense with Marrone as its coordinator.

Current and former players, as well as recruits have reacted to Marrone's decision via Twitter. Offensive lineman Justin Pugh, who just declared for the NFL draft earlier this month, tweeted "I think we all should appreciate what coach Marrone did for Syracuse. He left the program in much better shape than where he found it."

Former running back Antwon Bailey tweeted "Happy for Marrone. Great coach. Tough that he's leaving the cuse. Changed the mindset of a program, players and fans."

Augustus Edwards and Malik Brown, two players who originally committed to SU, now plan to visit other schools upon hearing about the departure of Marrone.