ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Newly hired Bills coach Doug Marrone turned to several of his former assistants at Syracuse in continuing to fill out his new staff in Buffalo.
The Bills announced on Tuesday that they've hired 10 assistants, a majority of them having little or no NFL experience.
The new hires include four who worked all or part of the past four seasons under Marrone at Syracuse.
They are Donnie Henderson, who will coach defensive backs, Tyrone Wheatley (running backs), Greg Adkins (tight ends) and Jason Rebrovich (defensive quality control). Marrone had already turned to the Orange by hiring Nathaniel Hackett, last week, to serve as the Bills offensive co-ordinator.
Several new assistants also have ties to the New York Jets, where they worked under Buffalo's new defensive co-ordinator, Mike Pettine. That group is made up of Jim O'Neil (linebackers), Anthony Weaver (defensive line) and Samson Brown (assistant defensive backs).
Overall, the 10 coaches have a combined 20 years of experience, led by Henderson's 10. Henderson was the Jets defensive co-ordinator from 2004-05, and held the same position with the Detroit Lions in 2006.
The most experienced assistant is Chuck Driesbach, who will coach linebackers. He has 36 years of experience at college, including spending 2007-11 as assistant head coach at Rice.
Brian Fleury was hired as a defensive quality control coach. He has 10 years of college experience, including the past four as a secondary coach and special teams co-ordinator at Towson.
Eric Ciano was retained as the Bills strength and conditioning coach, a position he's held over the previous three seasons.
