ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. » Doug Marrone has stepped down as coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Bills owner Terry Pegula said Wednesday that Marrone exercised the opt-out clause in his contract.

The decision came as a surprise after Marrone led the Bills to a 9-7 finish in his second season in Buffalo. It was the Bills’ first winning season in 10 years. Buffalo, however, missed the playoffs to extend the NFL’s longest active postseason drought to 15 seasons.

The opt-out clause in Marrone’s contract went into effect after Pegula and wife Kim bought the team in October. Marrone had until Wednesday to make his decision.

The team was sold after Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March.