Bills tell coaches they are free to leave

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- All coaches on the Buffalo Bills staff were told Monday they are free to seek work elsewhere.

The front office said the coaches' obligations to the team have been completed for 2009, a report on the Bills' Web site said.

Buffalo finished 6-10 this season, failing to reach the NFL playoffs for the 10th straight year.

Head Coach Dick Jauron was fired Nov. 19 and Perry Fewell served as interim coach for the last seven games of the season. The Bills were 3-4 during that span and Fewell is a candidate for the head coaching job.

Most of the assistants served under Jauron, who coached the team for three-plus seasons, compiling a record of 24-33.

Members of the staff remain under contract. If they stay with the team, their status will be determined by a new head coach.

Buddy Nix was named general manager of the Bills last week and was to begin interviewing candidates for head coach.

Members of the coaching staff include Bobby April, assistant head coach and special teams coordinator; offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt; offensive line coach Sean Kugler; defensive line coach Bob Sanders; and receivers coach Tyke Tolbert.