Donahoe fired as Bills president

The shakeup could mark the return of Marv Levy in a management role.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Tom Donahoe was fired as Buffalo Bills president and general manager Wednesday in a shakeup that could mark Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy's return to the franchise in a management role.
Offensive coordinator Tom Clements also was fired, his agent, Gary O'Hagan, told The Associated Press.
Donahoe's dismissal was announced by Bills owner Ralph Wilson a few days after he promised changes for an underachieving team that finished 5-11 and missed the playoffs for a sixth straight season.
Donahoe, the only executive to hold the president's title in the franchise's 46-year history, was dismissed after five seasons. Despite increasing the team's ticket base, Donahoe's team couldn't win.
Disappointing record
The Bills were 31-49 during Donahoe's tenure -- the 31 wins tied Cleveland for the third fewest in the NFL during that span. Besides Houston, which joined the league in 2002, the Bills are the only AFC team since 2001 that has failed to make the playoffs.
Levy could play a role in the restructured front office, Wilson said.
"We're going to make that decision in the next few days," the owner said. "Marv is a very qualified individual and I don't know whether that will take place or not."
Levy, who turns 81 this year, is the team's winningest coach with a 112-70 record and led the Bills to four consecutive AFC titles in the early 1990s before retiring after the 1997 season. The Bills haven't made the playoffs since 1999.
Levy's possible involvement is considered a mild surprise, but reflects Wilson's desire to bring in a trusted confidante to an organization that, at times, alienated fans and even the team's owner under Donahoe.
Mularkey still the coach
Wilson said he has not determined the status of coach Mike Mularkey. Mularkey has three years left on his contract.
"Mike did as good a job with what he had," Wilson said. "But there's something I want to talk over with him. And there's something he wants to talk over with me."
Questions remained whether Mularkey was prepared to make changes to his staff after the Bills offense and defense finished among the league's worst. Clements' dismissal was a start. Mularkey met with Wilson in the owner's office in Detroit on Tuesday.
As for firing Donahoe, Wilson said: "I just don't feel we've made enough progress in the last five years ... I think we have a good future. But I do think we need a fresh start."
The Bills lost six of their last seven, the low point for Wilson a 24-23 loss at Miami on Dec. 4, a game in which the Bills squandered a 20-point fourth-quarter lead.
"I can tell you very candidly that the loss in Miami was a crusher for me," Wilson said.
The owner said he will take back the role of team president, and will be more active than he has been in the last five years. He said assistant general manager Tom Modrak will retain his duties, but is not a candidate for the GM's job.
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