The Buffalo Bills today made official what has been reported by numerous sources this week. The team has hired the top two assistants to new coach Doug Marrone. Nathaniel Hackett, Marrone's offensive coordinator at Syracuse University, will perform the same job with the Bills. Hackett was the Orange’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks/tight ends coach from 2011-12. Prior to that, he spent one season as the school’s quarterbacks/passing game/tight ends coach.
Hackett, 33, helped greatly improve a struggling football program at S.U. The Orange offense set multiple school records in 2012 including yards per game (476.0), passing yards (3,757), touchdown passes (26), completions (295) and first downs (328).
"He has a genuine love and excitement for the game of football, offenses in particular, and that transcends into everything he does," said head coach Marrone. "he has a great knowledge of offenses for someone his age."
Hackett, the son of former college coach Paul Hackett, helped guide QB Ryan Nassib to produce single-season and career records at Syracuse. Nassib is considered an NFL prospect.
Mike Pettine is the team's new defensive coordinator, after four years in the same position with the New York Jets.
Pettine will enter his 12th year as an NFL coach in 2013 and fifth as a defensive coordinator. He served in the same capacity with the New York Jets from 2009-12 overseeing a defense that finished in the top 10 in total defense each year.
"I have admired his work for a number of years and his reputation in this league is impeccable. Mike comes highly recommended from a number of sources, both within and outside the NFL," Marrone said.
