TORONTO — It turns out University at Buffalo head coach Turner Gill was neither the first nor second choice to fill the head coaching vacancy at Syracuse.

Shortly after being turned down by East Carolina coach Skip Holtz on Thursday, the Orange turned to one of their own, hiring New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator/ offensive line coach Doug Marrone.

Marrone played at the university from 1983-85 and is a fervent supporter of Syracuse football. The signing was reported as the Saints prepared for Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bears.

Gill remains on the candidate’s list for the opening at Auburn, and media in Alabama report he’s the people’s choice for the job. However, what resonates with the fans doesn’t always go over with the administration or boosters with clout. At least two former Auburn players are among the half-dozen or so coaches to have interviewed for the position, with more candidates expected to emerge.

Gill talked with Tigers Athletic Director Jay Jacobs this week, and last year was a finalist for the job at Nebraska, where he starred at quarterback during the early ’80s and remains a revered figure. And while Gill strengthened his resume this year with an upset of 12th-ranked Ball State in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game, a move from the MAC to the Southeastern Conference could be considered a gargantuan leap. Still, Ball State coach Brady Hoke also has been interviewed by the Tigers.

News that Syracuse had filled its position with Marrone came a few hours after Gill met with the media at the Rogers Centre on Thursday afternoon during a news conference for the third annual International Bowl. Gill was joined by Athletic Director Warde Manuel and quarterback Drew Willy. UConn, UB’s opponent in the Jan. 3 game, was represented by coach Randy Edsall. Edsall rose from his seat and gave Gill a pat on the back after the UB coach offered little insight when asked about his job status.

“I think you did a great job handling that,” Edsall said with a smile. Coincidentally, Edsall eliminated himself as a candidate for the Syracuse opening when his name surfaced following the mid-November announcement that Greg Robinson would be dismissed.

Gill discounted the notion that his uncertain job status could be a distraction heading into UB’s first bowl appearance in the history of the program. The Bulls, who stand 8-5 after winning six of their last seven, will return to practice Monday.

“We always talk about distractions,” Gill said. “I’ve talked to them [about] how and why you have distractions. Just like in a football game, there are distractions that come about. The reason you’re successful is you continue to handle that. And I’m teaching our football team how to handle those things throughout the season, and they’re doing a tremendous job. This is no different.”

Manuel confirmed that he has a contingency plan at the ready should Gill accept another position.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that, but he’s worth all the attention that he’s getting,” Manuel said. “I think it’s sincere, as it should be, and we’ll see where it goes and I’ll deal with it as it comes. Sadly, we don’t have that many African-Americans who have achieved what he’s achieved and been at the forefront of these conversations. It’s an honor for him and African- American coaches, as it should be, to have people who want to talk to him. And as long as they’re sincere and he wants to talk to them it’s fine with me.”

Meanwhile, the excitement builds. UB ran through its initial allotment of 3,000 International Bowl tickets in less than 48 hours. The school opened its box office an hour early Wednesday to service waiting customers and sold 2,000 seats. Another 1,000 were sold Thursday. Additional tickets have been obtained.