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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wannstedt back in NFL

Hired by friend as Bills’ assistant head coach

Associated Press

Dave Wannstedt is back in the NFL after being hired to be the Buffalo Bills’ assistant head coach in a job that reunites him with good friend and colleague Chan Gailey.

The Bills announced the hiring Friday after the two sides met for most of the day to negotiate the contract. The team did not divulge terms of the deal, though a person familiar with talks told the Associated Press that the contract runs for more than one season.

Wannstedt returns to the NFL after spending the past six years coaching the University of Pittsburgh, where he was forced to resign last month.

He spent four-plus seasons as the Miami Dolphins head coach before being fired midway through the 2004 season. He also spent six seasons – from 1993-98 – as the Chicago Bears’ head coach.

Wannstedt is a defensive specialist and will help oversee a defense that struggled last season. The Bills’ defense was last in the NFL against the run, allowing 2,714 yards rushing – the second-highest total in franchise history. Buffalo allowed 200 yards eight times last season.

In Buffalo, he’ll be working under Gailey, who went 4-12 in completing his first season as the team’s head coach.

It’s a role reversal for the two. Wannstedt had taken over as coach of the Dolphins in 2000, when he hired Gailey to be his offensive coordinator. The two spent two seasons together before Gailey left to become the head coach at Georgia Tech.

Browns hire Jauron

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur has called on former NFL head coach Dick Jauron to be his defensive coordinator. Jauron is a well respected 60-year-old, who spent last season as Philadelphia’s secondary coach.

Jauron and Shurmur have known each other for years. Jauron played and coached with Shurmur’s uncle, Fritz, in Green Bay.

Jauron has previous experience as a coordinator and he was head coach in Buffalo (2006-2009) and Chicago (1999-2003), posting a 60-82 record.

Shula joins Panthers

The Carolina Panthers hired Mike Shula as quarterbacks coach, a key position as Carolina tries to turn around the NFL’s worst offense under new coach Ron Rivera.

The 45-year-old is the son of former Miami coach Don Shula. He spent the past four seasons as QB coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he oversaw the development of David Garrard.

Stafford has shoulder surgery

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford had surgery on his throwing shoulder, and the Lions say they expect the former No. 1 draft pick to be back in time for training camp after playing only three games last season.

He hurt his right shoulder in the season opener, came back for a victory over Washington on Halloween, then injured the same shoulder again the following game. Stafford wasn’t able to play again.

Simms nixes plea deal

Tennessee Titans backup quarterback Chris Simms is rejecting a plea deal after being accused of driving while high on marijuana in New York City. Simms rejected prosecutors’ offer to let him plead guilty to driving while impaired, a traffic violation.

Simms was pulled over on July 1.