The Buffalo Bills reached back into their successful scouting past as they signed long time college scout Buddy Nix. This is Nix's second stint with the Bills as he previously served under now retired scouting director Dwight Adams and former general manager John Butler from 1993-2000.
"The exciting thing is I know a lot of people there and I'm looking forward to seeing them," said Nix. "Of course Mr. Wilson has always been special to everybody that works there and was really good to me when I worked there. I'm looking forward to in some small way being help to him and help them win in some way."
Though his focus will remain in the Southeast, Nix will serve as a National Scout for Buffalo, which will require him to cover a lot of the major college programs in preparation for the NFL draft.
"The Southeast is what I'm most familiar with, but I think my title probably means I could go see top players in other areas if Tom Modrak decides that. And if that's where I need to go that's where I'll go."
Over the past eight years Nix had run the player personnel department for the San Diego Chargers, which covered both pro and college scouting, before electing to retire following the 2008 NFL draft last April.
"I don't think I ever intended to stay out of scouting," said Nix. "I was tired of the situation and there just needed to be a change. I wanted to back off and look at everything, but deep down I never intended to get out and stay out."
Nix oversaw drafts that helped the Chargers compile one of the more talented rosters in the league, including players like LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees, Quentin Jammer, Igor Olshansky, Michael Turner, Shaun Phillips, Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo, Vincent Jackson, Darren Sproles, Antonio Cromartie and Marcus McNeill.
After the layoff it's safe to say Nix's batteries are re-charged.
"You work in football all your life and I miss that," said Nix. "I'm looking forward to getting back to it."
Nix wasn't traveling to campuses this past fall having retired so he knows he'll have some catch up work to do if he is to help contribute to Buffalo's final draft board come April.
"I think I can catch up," said Nix. "I've stayed familiar with it and I've been able to keep up with the league and I know the Bills, so I hopefully can contribute some by draft time."
The veteran scout will be attending the NFL combine in February and workouts and pro days on college campuses in March.
This will be Nix's 16th season in NFL personnel. Prior to that Nix had spent more than 20 years in college coaching including a nine-year tenure as head coach of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (1984-92).
