ORCHARD PARK — Before there was Chan Gailey, before there was discussion of quarterback tutelage or who the 15th coach in the history of the beleaguered Buffalo Bills would tap as his closest confidants, there was yet another red flag waving on Tuesday, a warning sign that we might look back one day with our heads in our hands.

General manager Buddy Nix, the affable Southerner who calls ’em as he sees ’em, reminded us again that this wasn’t a job he’d even come looking for.

“I was given the responsibility,” Nix led off, “didn’t necessarily ask for it, to conduct a search for a new head football coach.”

And there it was. For the second time in as many press conferences, Nix reminded us that this all-important post had sought him out rather than the other way around. The way Nix continues to drop this hint in conversation you wonder if Ralph Wilson called groveling, drawing on his law background to pull any argument that would put a football mind atop the team’s football department.

If you don’t recall, Nix mentioned during his official unveiling that being a GM was something that got more exciting the more he thought about it.

Think of the thousands of people who dream of being in the front office of a professional team. Every guy who tinkers with his fantasy team so often that his wife shudders when she sees him reach for the iBook. Every sports talk caller who sits on hold through updates and the dronings of Momma Pecoraro just to give two cents about the third-string tight end the team signed.

Heck, every sportswriter.

To be forced into convincing a guy who’s lived a life of football to finish his career as the general manager of an NFL team is troubling. But even then, when he finally agrees to it, you’d assume he’d like to pick his own guy to lead the troops into battle, right?

Not Buddy Nix.

Say this for the announcement of Gailey, the retread hire fans have been bemoaning since it was leaked late Monday night, at least he seems to have more passion for the position.

Why wouldn’t he? Not yet 60, Gailey was a head coach for just two seasons in the NFL, and both culminated with playoff appearances. If he does the same in Buffalo, who knows how far the adoration will go.

In fact, when asked why others might not be interested in the passed-over position, Gailey was befuddled.

“Well I can’t speak for other folks,” Gailey said in a Southern drawl that’s becoming the standard dialect at One Bills Drive. “You look at the history of the Buffalo Bills and I’ve come in that stadium enough times to know about the fans of the Bills Nation. Who wouldn’t want to come here? Maybe some guys have personal reasons that they don’t want to be here, great. I’m glad, because I get to come here.”

Hopefully, Nix feels the same way. For all of Dick Jauron’s failings, even if he was a coaching genius, he wouldn’t have been able to mold the Bills into much last season. Schemes can only cover up so much, and without an offensive line or a dominant player in any position (other than perhaps punter), the Bills still need a complete overhaul.

Nix will need to dig deeper than he ever has, putting together critical piece after critical piece.

Despite pleas from angry fans who think he’s already fouled up, Nix did just fine with Gailey, a guy who has a proven track record as a solid offensive mind.

But that was the easy part. What lies ahead presents a much greater challenge.

And if Nix keeps insisting he’s only in this because he was begged to, there’s little reason to think much will change.

Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.