Last night, the Buffalo Bills formally announced that the team had hired Dave Wannstedt to the position of Assistant Head Coach/Inside Linebackers. FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez first reported the agreement.

“I’ve known Chan (Gailey) for several years,” said Wannstedt in a team statement. “Chan’s had success everywhere he’s been. Knowing what he’s about as a football coach, knowing what he believes in and having worked with him in Miami, I know he has the winning formula. I’m excited to be part of this coaching staff and am looking forward to making a difference with this defense.”

Wannstedt will be working alongside a former colleague of his, Bob Sanders, as Buffalo's inside linebackers coach. With Sanders handling the outside linebackers for a second straight year, the two men - who worked alongside one another for four years in Miami - have their work cut out for them improving Buffalo's below-average linebacker corps.

Wannstedt replaces DeMontie Cross, who was released from his post at the end of the season. In that light, this is a win for the Bills - they've removed a poor fit from their coaching staff and added perhaps the most qualified defensive assistant on the open market.