Report: Media Friction Contributed To Marrone Bolting Buffalo

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Doug Marrone is the hottest name in the Jets' search for a new head coach.

But the question remains: why did he leave the Bills?

There were a number of reasons, according to the Buffalo News, including harsh critiques from the media in Western New York.

"He was said to be upset with what he saw as constant criticism and a general lack of support," Vic Carucci posted on the Buffalo News' website after Marrone opted out of his contract on Wednesday. "He was particularly infuriated by the questions raised about whether he should remain as the Bills' coach after the team recorded one of the biggest victories in franchise history against Green Bay."

That could be a problem. The media isn't known to be too kind to its head coaches in the Tri-State area. And the Jets just fired somebody who could handle the heat, the eminently likable Rex Ryan, on Monday. (In fairness, there's one coach in the AFC East who has been successful despite his terseness in front of a microphone.)

A separate post by the Buffalo News' Jay Skurski went into more detail regarding Marrone's relationship with Bills reporters, which he said got off on the wrong foot "less than a week" into Marrone's first training camp in 2013.

In addition, Skurski wrote, Marrone had blowups with members of his own organization: "There were other significant examples of Marrone's approach alienating people. During training camp, he had a loud argument with defensive end Jerry Hughes, at one point telling him he 'didn't have to be on this team.' There was also a heated conversation with (general manager) Doug Whaley at a practice prior to the start of the regular season."

According to the Buffalo News, Marrone was also concerned over the potential of a front-office shakeup that could have resulted in a buffer between himself and ownership, to whom he was reporting directly.

Adding to the intrigue is the money factor. The Bills are contractually obligated to pay Marrone $4 million in 2015 even if he's hired by another team, ESPN reported. Essentially, he'll be able to double-dip.

Bills players were blindsided by the move, taking to Twitter on Wednesday to vent in some cases. Defensive back Aaron Williams wrote: "Lost all respect!! Completely (ticked) off, but not gonna let it ruin my New Years."

Marrone reportedly texted his players with the news after many had already found out through the media.

Now the Jets are said to be in the running for Marrone's services. In a column for the New York Daily News on Thursday, reporter Manish Mehta openly wondered whether the Bronx native knew he'd have a soft landing in Florham Park.

"The sequence of events on Sunday makes it difficult to believe that the Jets didn't have prior discussions with the Marrone camp," Mehta wrote. "The feeling in league circles is that (Jets consultant Charley) Casserly has been infatuated with Marrone for years. He's calling the shots."

Marrone went 9-7 in 2014, guiding Buffalo to its best season since 2004. He was 15-17 in two seasons, including 3-1 against New York.

Prior to landing the Bills job, the 50-year-old had a 25-25 record in four seasons as head coach at Syracuse and served as offensive line coach with the Jets from 2002-05 under Herm Edwards.

Jets owner Woody Johnson told the Daily News that Marrone would receive consideration for Ryan's old job. The team is also searching for a new general manager to replace John Idzik.

"This is pretty good news," said Johnson, whose list of head coaching candidates includes Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. "I was shocked. It's been a long time since I've seen Doug, and I have good memories of him."

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

In:
• Buffalo Bills
• NFL
• New York Jets