Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula has admitted that head coach Doug Marrone's quitting on New Year's Eve stunned him.

Marrone left after two years of service in Buffalo, despite leading them to a winning season in 2014.

His team ended the campaign behind the New England Patriots in the NFC East, missing out on a playoff berth once again.

Pegula was speaking during new man Rex Ryan's first press conference with the franchise on Wednesday.

He told reporters: "Uh, I was shocked about Doug. More than shocked, but hey, I liked Doug Marrone when he was here.

"He was probably the guy I talked to more than anybody. So he made that decision. He moved on."

Marrone was in talks with the New York Jets about the role that Ryan had vacated, but they have since decided to name Todd Bowles as their new coach.