Buffalo Bills Hires Williams as Coach

B U F F A L O, N.Y., Feb. 1 -- Gregg Williams, the Tennessee Titansdefensive coordinator, has been hired as the Buffalo Bills nexthead coach, The Associated Press has learned.

Williams was hired today and will be in Buffalo on Friday tobe formally introduced to the media, an NFL source said, speakingon condition of anonymity.

Bills president and general manager Tom Donahoe told the news tothe three other candidates by phone.

The Bills declined comment but were preparing to release astatement regarding Williams about 3:30 p.m. ET.

A Surprise Pick

Williams' hiring was considered a surprise, as he was going upagainst the defensive coordinators — Baltimore's Marvin Lewis andNew York Giants John Fox — of the two teams that met in the SuperBowl.

Lewis was considered the initial front-runner because he carriedthe best credentials, overseeing what many considered to be theNFL's top defense of all time. This past year, the Ravens allowedthe fewest points in a 16-game season and held the Giants offenseto no points in Baltimore's Super Bowl victory.

It was considered a plus, too, that both Lewis and Fox were withPittsburgh when Donahoe served as the Steelers' director offootball operations.

Also in the running was ex-Bills defensive coordinator TedCottrell, who joined the New York Jets last month.

Under Williams, the Titans defense finished first in the NFL infewest yards allowed this past season.

Defensive coordinator in Tennessee for the past four seasons,Williams broke into the NFL as the franchise's first qualitycontrol coordinator in 1990 when the Titans franchise was based inHouston. He also worked as the team's linebackers and special teamscoach.

Considered organized to a fault, Williams' stock rosedramatically with the Bills following his interview with Donahoe onJan. 26. A day later, Williams pulled out of the running for theCleveland Browns' head coaching position, which eventually went toUniversity of Miami's Butch Davis.