The search for a head coach in Orchard Park is finally over.
After two months of rabid rumors and a whirlwind of speculation, the Buffalo Bills have found their man. Though Chan Gailey's name may not widen eyes nor jump off the paper, he is exactly what the Bills have been looking for.
New general manager Buddy Nix introduced Gailey as the franchises' 15th head coach on Tuesday afternoon at One Bills Drive.
Immediately after the firing of Dick Jauron on Nov. 17, media outlets in Western New York and across the country began to speculate on big name coaches as candidates for the position. While the Bills remained as silent as possible in their search, names such as Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and Marty Schottenheimer began to appear. As far as fans were concerned, it was a near certainty that Buffalo would be welcoming aboard a multi-million dollar head coach.
As the interview process began, however, rumored candidates quickly declined interest in the position. Whether it is the team's lack of a franchise quarterback, its 91-year-old owner, or its questionable future in the city of Buffalo, candidates declined the opportunity for an interview.
When it looked like the Bills would be in for the long haul to find their next leader, Gailey's name appeared out of the woodwork.
While he isn't the 'A-list' head coach that Bills' fans were hoping for, Gailey met the criteria that Nix sought. The 58-year-old Gailey has experience both as an NFL and collegiate head coach, as well as an offensive coordinator. He also briefly worked as a defensive coordinator and special teams coach early in his career.
'I wanted to have a head coach that's been successful in this league. I didn't want to go through having to have a guy learn the NFL and the workings of the NFL… I wanted an offensive-minded coach,' Nix said in a press conference. 'We also wanted to find a guy that had character and wasn't going to embarrass this organization. He's going to lead by doing things right. He's a good teacher and has good leadership skills… I want a guy that will help us win games and we found that guy.'
Gailey was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-99. He took over a 6-10 team and led Dallas to a 10-6 record and a division title. The following year Dallas finished 8-8 and earned a wild-card berth.
After being abruptly fired after two successful seasons, Gailey failed to get an opportunity at another NFL head coaching job and admitted that he was unsure if he'd ever get another chance.
"If you sit there and say you lose confidence in yourself, no you don't,' Gailey said. 'But then you see opportunities go by. And you hope that your body of work will speak for itself. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't, that's just the way it is.'
Gailey moved to the collegiate level and became head coach at Georgia Tech from 2002 through 2007. He compiled a 44-33 record and led the Yellow Jackets to bowl appearances in each of his six seasons, including the Humanitarian and Champs Sports Bowl victories in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
During his 38-year coaching career, Gailey has spent 15 seasons in the NFL and had various stints as an offensive coordinator with Denver, Pittsburgh, Miami and Kansas City.
During his career, Gailey has worked with some of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history, including John Elway and Troy Aikman. He has also gotten rave reviews for getting production out of lesser talents such as Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh, Jay Fielder in Miami and Tyler Thigpen with Kansas City.
For a team with so many question marks surrounding the quarterback position, Nix recognized that his new coach had to have previous success with signal-callers.
'We wanted somebody that had developed quarterbacks,' Nix said. 'Those with good quarterbacks are winning and those with bad quarterbacks are losing. It's not that hard to get.'
Gailey will need to bring stability to the position in Buffalo. With two inconsistent quarterbacks and an unproven rookie on the current roster, he acknowledged that it will take time to assess the position.
'Until I get in there, watch film and evaluate, it's unfair for me to sit here and say what's going to happen,' Gailey said. 'I want to make sure we do a thorough evaluation, thorough study and do a great job at deciding. Then we'll talk about what needs to go on in the future.'
The Bills' offense was stagnant this season. Buffalo finished 30th in the NFL in both total offense (4,382) and passing yards (2,515) and converted an NFL worst 51 percent on 3rd down.
As he did in Dallas, Gailey will also assume the role of offensive coordinator. The run-first oriented coach will implement an offensive system that he can have control over and be familiar with.
'I'm going to run the offense to start with,' Gailey said. 'If you want to get it the way you believe it needs to be done from the start, then you need to do it. You have to get it the way you want it and what you believe in. Even if over time I distance myself a little from it, I'll still have the basis and know exactly what's going on.'
Gailey inherits a team that has not been to the playoffs in 10 years and has finished sub .500 the past five seasons. While there is much work to be done until the team can get back to a winning tradition, Gailey is up for the challenge in his second stint as a head coach.
'I understand the challenge that's ahead of us. The challenge to get the Buffalo Bills back to a winning franchise on a consistent basis and that is the plan.' Gailey said. 'I know it's going to be a tough task and will take a lot of hard work. It's not going to be something that's done easily and the only way to get it done is for everyone to be on the same page.'
E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
Bills find their man in Gailey
More
Comments
