Chief operating officer Russ Brandon, who had been filling the GM's role, was promoted to chief executive officer, reporting to Wilson. At 70, Nix had been out of football after retiring in 2008 following five-year stint as the San Diego Chargers assistant GM/director of player personnel.

He came out of retirement to return to Buffalo this past year after serving as the team's area scout from 1993-2000.

Nix has 14 years of NFL experience, mostly in scouting, and previously spent 26 years coaching in the college ranks. That included a nine-year term as head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga, where he coached Bills receiver Terrell Owens during his freshman year.

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Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix answers a question during a news conference announcing his new position with the NFL football team at Bills headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)	Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix answers a question during the news conference announcing his new position with the NFL football team at Bills headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix answers a question during the news conference announcing his new position with the team at Bills headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)	Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix smiles during the news conference announcing his new position with the team at Bills headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr., center, poses for a portrait with general manager Buddy Nix, left, and CEO Russ Brandon during the news conference announcing the new positions with the team at Bills headquarters in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)