The Buffalo Bills have a new general manager, but it isn’t anyone new to the organization. Former director of college scouting Buddy Nix is taking the reins of the Buffalo Bills.

“You guys are always talking about wanting a football guy," Nix said Thursday after being introduced by owner Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. I don’t know exactly what that is except that the only way I could be a football guy except live longer, cause that’s all I’ve done.”

Nix, 70, worked with the Bills from 1993-2000 before moving to San Diego with A.J. Smith. He  returned to the Bills as a national scout in 2009. For those concerned about his age, keep in mind Bill Parcells is 69-years-old. Nix said he wouldn't be searching out guys based just on their name.

“I’m not looking for big names," Nix said. "I’m looking for somebody who can get the job done. There’s one caveat. I don’t think it’s going to come immediately, because I think you build a football team through the draft.”

“I believe very strongly that we can get this done. I’ll be here seven days-a-week, whatever it takes. My strengths is football and personnel, and that’s what I’ll play to. I’m not the smartest guy around. I’ve never been accused of being the smartest guy in the room. I’m not trying to build a resume. I’m not trying to leave a legacy. I’m just trying to win. Every decision that we make that I have anything to do will be to help us with a game.”

Nix stressed that, "You’re not that far away in this league. The league is watered down.”

Wilson said Nix fits the description of what the area needs in a general manager.

“Something that the fans and everybody in the area and myself have wanted, and that’s a general manager of football,” Wilson said. “We needed somebody who knew all the aspects of football and along with Russ, who was our chief operating office, we went over a list of people who might be eligible and good for the Buffalo Bills as a general manager of football operations only. It has nothing to do with marketing, advertising, tickets or anything like that.”

Wilson described Nix's duties:

“He will hire the new football coach and oversee him and the entire operation, so I don’t want to take a lot of your time. I do want to announce that besides being the general manager of football, Russ Brandon – who’s done a great job for us – is being named chief executive officer, so he will oversee football but also the rest of the operation. Russ will report to me, and he will not be the CEO, which is a promotion, I guess.”

Nix wouldn't say whether he'll be cleaning house with Tom Modrak and John Guy, or anyone else presently in the organization.

 “I’m going to take time, evaluate every person and every department in football operations and then make a decision. I’m not going to take off of things I’ve heard and things I’ve read.”

Nix helped turn around a moribund Chargers squad, and thinks the Bills are closer than that team

“I think we were further away at San Diego," Nix said. "They were 1-15 when we got there. We had some luck along the way and we were fortunate enough to draft guys who got better through teaching, good strength coaching and all of that.”

Nix had biting words for the strength and conditioning of the injury-riddled Bills, but also seemed to indicate a patience for the three quarterbacks on the roster: Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm. Nix also mentioned that he prefers building through the draft and using free agency to fill holes.

As for Aaron Maybin:

“He’s a guy that you decide in three years whether he’s going to be a good player or if you missed on him. He gets held out and he gets hurt. If you put the environment out there where they can get better.”

Here are more transcribed quotes from NIx, Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas:

Nix on what he's looking for in a coach: “A good teacher, a leader and a guy that everybody can work with. I think it’s viable that the general manager and head coach… you gotta communicate... Most of the breakdowns come when you don’t talk to each other.”

Nix on Perry Fewell: "Is a candidate and will be interviewed. I believe that a guy who has been a head coach has an advantage.”

Nix on if they can bring in a big name: “I think we can bring one in. Coaches want to… take a team that’s down and build it into a winner. The fan base here, these guys is phenomenal. When you’re not playing good and you fill the stadium every week. I think that’s appealing...We’ve got a list. I haven’t been involved, but I’m fixing to be.”

Nix on the immediate future: “I want to see the thing start in the right direction. I can’t tell you we’re going to the playoffs in a year or two years, but we should be hitting there. If we hit on the right coach and our quarterbacks with the teaching and the getting better. Everybody blames a quarterback, but you gotta have some protection.”

Nix on Terrell Owens: “Terrell will be a guy that a new coach will make a decision on... I hate to keep giving you that same answer but that’s the truth.”

Thurman Thomas on Nix: “I think today should remain about Buddy. I’ve known the guy for a number of years. You guys talk about wanting a football guy. He is a football guy. He’s been well-known in the Southeast. When you talk about the SEC, you’re taking great football players... I think it’s a great hire, but I’m looking forward to seeing the list that he has to see what coaches he’s thinking about hiring.”

Thurman on what his role could be: “He told me he’ll ask for my advice on some things. To me, that’s helping, and whatever I can do to help this process go a little smoother.”

Jim Kelly on the hire of Nix: “I was excited because I know him. I listen and read now-a-days. To me, you hire somebody that can get something going. Yeah, there are some big names out there that would be the type of coach you want to see in here, but when it comes to the general manager, you want to somebody who knows football.”

Kelly on big name coaches: “You talk about Bill Cowher. You know that he’s enthusiastic. He takes no bull. If we can get Bill Cowher, that’s great.

 Kelly on if a Buffalo job is appealing: “We haven’t had a winning team here in years and our fans still pack that stadium. You get a coach and general manager who believes in this area and believe he can get it done.”

Kelly on needed a firey personality at head coach: “I loved Dick Jauron to death when he was here, but when you need to light a fire under somebody’s butt, you do it.”

Kelly on his role with the team: “First thing Buddy said to me is, ‘I want to sit down with you after the season.’  I would love to get involved somehow, some way, but not in coaching.”

Email: nick@wgr550.com