In making the announcement, team owner Ralph Wilson said Levy, who is in the NFL Hall of Fame, will report directly to him and handle only football-related issues.

"I've been on top of the game for the past few years and I'm enthusiastic about this, and confident, not complacent," Levy said at a news conference. "I don't know (Coach) Mike (Mularkey) really well, but I know his reputation and it is an excellent one. I'm looking forward to this; it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun."

Levy's hiring comes one day after Wilson fired Tom Donahoe as president and general manager. Levy led the Bills to four straight AFC titles and four straight Super Bowls in the early 1990s and has more wins than any other coach in franchise history.