ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Doug Marrone is set to try to turn around an NFL team after improving a college program down the road. Marrone reached an agreement to become the Buffalo Bills new coach Sunday, 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. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because there has not been an official announcement. Marrone will replace Chan Gailey, who was fired Dec. 31, a day after the Bills closed their second consecutive season with a 6-10 record and extended the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 13 seasons. The 48-year-old Marrone, who is from the Bronx, went 25-25 in four seasons at Syracuse. ESPN.com first reported early Sunday that Marrone would be leaving the Orange to become the Bills next coach. Syracuse was 26-57 over a seven-year period before Marrone took over at his alma mater. The Orange finished this season 8-5, winning six of their last seven games, including a 38-14 victory over West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl. A person who had a role in hiring Marrone in Syracuse, speaking on condition of anonymity because the move had not been announced, said Orange officials had been made aware the coach was leaving for the NFL. Now, hes set for another challenge two hours down the New York State Thruway. Hell be taking over a team that has not had a winning record since 2004, is on its fifth head coach since 2001, and closed last season by losing seven of its final 10 games. The Syracuse job was Marrones first as a head coach. He has seven years of NFL experience; Marrone spent 2006-08 as the New Orleans Saints offensive co-ordinator and was the New York Jets offensive line coach from 2002-05. Marrones arrival in New Orleans coincided with the Saints addition of Drew Brees. Though head coach Sean Payton called the plays on game day, Marrone helped oversee an offence that led the NFL in yards in 2006 and 08. In 2007, the Saints set a league record with 440 completions. The Bills perennially weak offence could certainly use a boost. And hes got work to do improving a high-priced but underachieving defence. One of Marrones first decisions on offence will be determining the future of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who took a big step back in his third season as starter, and a year after signing a five-year, $59 million contract extension. Buffalo finished 19th in the NFL in yards gained and 21st in points scored this season. Fitzpatrick, who shares the same agent as Marrone, is due a $3 million roster bonus in March. General manager Buddy Nix has already said he plans to select a quarterback in the draft in April. He also hasnt ruled out the possibility of acquiring one in free agency or through a trade. One draft candidate could be Syracuse senior Ryan Nassib, who is projected to be a second- or third-round pick. The Bills defence performed well below the high expectations that were created in March, when Buffalo signed defensive end Mario Williams to a six-year, $100 million contract. The defence instead proved porous and incohesive in finishing among the NFLs worst. Buffalo allowed 435 points -- the second-most in team history. The Bills opened their coaching search Tuesday, when newly promoted President Russ Brandon and several executives travelled to Arizona, where they interviewed candidates. They met with former Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt and current Cardinals defensive co-ordinator Ray Horton. The Bills also interviewed Oregon coach Chip Kelly and former Bears coach Lovie Smith. Marrone had also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their vacancy. cheap jerseys . 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Headley continued his breakout season with a two-run homer, his 30th. wholesale jerseys . -- The Anaheim Ducks have signed defenceman Cam Fowler to a five-year contract extension.New York, NY (Sports Network) - San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski was named MLS Player of the Month for the third time this season on Thursday, adding September to his previous honors in April and June. Wondolowski is the first player in league history to win the award three times in one season. He had four goals and two assists in five September matches and helped the Earthquakes post three wins and two draws in that stretch. He has won the award five times during his career. Wondolowski leads MLS with 22 goals this season, just five off the single-year record. He has a single-season record of 11 game-winning goals this year. 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