Bills-Coaching Search

By JOHN WAWROW

AP Sports Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Buffalo Bills general manager Marv Levy clarified Saturday that he's not a candidate for the vacant coaching job, while Jim Haslett and the team have had preliminary contact about the post.

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``I want to say unequivocally that I am here to serve as the general manager/football operations,'' Levy said in a statement on the team's Web site.

The clarification comes a day after the 80-year-old Hall of Fame coach repeatedly declined to rule himself out as a candidate to take over as coach following Mike Mularkey's resignation.

``I regret that I was not more specific in stating that I will not be serving in a coaching capacity,'' said Levy, who came out of retirement to take over as the GM after the Bills dismissed team president/general manager Tom Donahoe on Jan. 4.

Bills owner Ralph Wilson also reiterated Levy would not be a candidate.

``He was hired to be the GM and would never coach the team,'' Wilson said. ``We are excited to have Marv as our general manager as we move forward in hiring a new coach.''

Meanwhile, Haslett's agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Associated Press on Saturday that his client has had contact with the Bills. Schaffer declined to say who made the initial call, but added that no interview has yet been scheduled.

The Bills declined comment on Haslett.

Haslett has several ties to Buffalo. A former linebacker, he played for the Bills from 1979-85 and began his coaching career as an assistant with the University at Buffalo from 1988-90.

``He has nothing but the utmost respect for Mr. Wilson and would be honored to interview for such a prestigious job,'' Schaffer said.

Haslett has also been mentioned as a candidate for several other coaching vacancies, including New York Jets and Detroit. The NFL's coach of the year after his rookie season in 2000, he was fired after the Saints' 3-13 finish this season.