He wanted Ray Brown.

Brown had no NFL coaching experience. What he did have was 20 years in the league as a player.

"Playing 20 years, he's had the experience of relating to NFL players," said Kugler, who was the Bills' assistant offensive line coach last season. "He's played against a lot of the guys our players are competing against. The knowledge of information he can give these guys is invaluable. He can talk about various techniques and the background of some of the players we play against. And the work ethic that he brings to these guys and instills in these guys, I couldn't have a better assistant working with me."

After retiring from the Washington Redskins at age 43 in 2006, Brown had offers to do radio and television. But he wanted to stay involved in the NFL in some capacity.

He served as a special assistant for Redskins coach Joe Gibbs last season, though Brown wasn't technically a coach. When Kugler called with a more defined coaching job, Brown jumped at the opportunity.

"I felt comfortable coming in and seeing what coaching is about," said Brown, now 46. "Obviously we would have liked to have won more Football games, but I've enjoyed it. I've learned a lot from the coaches as far as what goes into getting the players to do what's necessary. The guys have been receptive to what I have to offer, and I could fall back on my playing experience and share it with them."

A lot of Bills players were toddlers when Brown quietly entered the NFL as an eighth-round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986. Ronald Reagan was in his second term as president and pro Football had not yet arrived in Arizona, Carolina and Tennessee.

He played college ball at Memphis before transferring to Arkansas State, where he made the transition from tight end to offensive lineman and became the first player in Southland Conference history to be first-team all-conference at both positions.

Brown's initial goal after arriving in the NFL was to earn a roster spot. Little did he know that his career would span three decades, playing guard and tackle for four teams. He was just as effective in the latter stages of his career as he was when it began. He made the Pro Bowl -- at age 39 -- for the San Francisco 49ers in 2001.

During his second stint with the Redskins (he also played for them from 1989-95), Brown started 14 games at right tackle in 2004 and four more -- including two playoff contests -- at guard during his final year. He is the second oldest offensive lineman in NFL history. The oldest is John Nesser, who was 45 when he played for the Columbus (Ohio) Panhandles in 1921.

"I saw the NFL as a job when I started," said Brown, who also played for the Detroit Lions (2002-03) when Kugler was on their coaching staff. "I just wanted to get vested so I would have something once I got through with the job. Then it became something that every year I was motivated, whether it was trying to make the team or trying to become a starter or in the latter part of my career getting the encouragement of friends and family to keep playing. So it was pretty easy for me to get up and go for it.

"I look back now on how long I played, but while I was playing I was afraid to stop and kind of take a peek at what I was doing. I was always grinding, always pushing forward, always striving because I knew I wanted to do something, I wanted to be somebody, I wanted to succeed."

The Bills' lack of success this season was due in part to the unsettled nature of the position Brown coaches. Jason Peters' long holdout and injuries made it difficult for the offensive line to establish any continuity earlier in the season. But the line has shown some improvement, particularly in run blocking as evidenced by running back Marshawn Lynch's strong second half of the season.

Brown, who believes the Bills have some nice pieces up front, said learning and growing with offensive linemen has been one of the highlights for him.

"We have some great guys and wonderful workers," he said. "It has been interesting learning the different players and their different personalities. Some guys may like getting pushed a little bit and some guys don't. But at the end of the day you just want your guys to play well and be successful. Hopefully I was able to add a few things to help in that process."

Kugler said Brown had instant credibility on the field and in the locker room because the players know they are being coached by someone who has been there and done that.

Whether it's a rookie like Demetrius Bell or a two-time Pro Bowler like Jason Peters, the offensive linemen are grateful to Brown as a mentor.

"I'm just trying to get through one year, and he put 20 under his belt," Bell said. "He told me anything is possible. Just keep your head on right, work hard and everything will take care of itself. The value of having a coach with his background makes you want to give him the best you've got."

"He's helped me a lot," added Peters, who hopes to get 13 years in the NFL. "He stays on me in practice every day about getting my feet, my hands in the right position and working my technique. The guys respect him as a former player and a coach, so when he says something, that's what goes."

Players often ask Brown how he managed to play 20 years. His answer is simple: A work ethic, instilled by his parents. He also credits his family, especially wife Ashley, for supporting his decision to keep playing, and the number of people who helped him along the way.

"So many folks gave me so much just to make it," said Brown, who still looks in game shape. "Hopefully, I'll be able to thank all of them. The NFL is a wonderful industry. It's given me a chance to have a job in it for 23 years. Now I'm looking for another 23."

e-mail: awilson@buffnews.com