Official: Chan Gailey Hired as Chiefs Offensive Coordinator

by Chris Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 3:47 PM CST in 2007 Offseason Comment 43 comments

And the search is over.

Chan Gailey was hired today as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator.

Gailey, 56, is a veteran coordinator, having served in that capacity in the NFL with Denver, Pittsburgh and Miami. He also has been head coach for the Cowboys and Birmingham in the World League and in college for Troy State, Samford and Georgia Tech. He was fired this past fall after six seasons at Georgia Tech.

Much much more to come on this later tonight. What's your initial reaction?

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by Lanier63 on Jan 16, 2008 4:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll tell you guys now

that my special interview was with Eric Price of UTEP. So much for that...

by Chris Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 4:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

could still be useful

you never know

by sm7600 on Jan 16, 2008 4:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Price

I never thought Price was a serious OC candidate because he runs the spread offense and has no NFL OC experience.

I wondered though, how he would do as a Wide Receivers coach (the spread uses LOTS of wide receivers) and maybe become an understudy for Gailey. Gailey is 58 years old and has usually left his OC job after a couple years to take a head coaching job.

Would be nice if one of the position coaches they hire could learn from Gailey (if he's succesful) so if he does move on, we're not starting over from square one.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Shula as QB coach?

If this could happen I would be stoked. Gailey ran a crappy Dolphins offense that was ranked 8th in the league with Fiedler as QB. I'm all for this hire

by dkugler838 on Jan 16, 2008 4:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He's definitely qualified

Not sure if Shula would leave the Jags for the same position on the Chiefs. He's probably looking to stay put or move up somewhere.

by Chris Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 4:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ole Miss tackle reconsidering NFL draft entry

Just found this in the local paper:
Michael Oher is reconsidering his decision and may opt to remain at Ole Miss for his senior year, according to Sean Tuohy, Oher's adoptive father.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jan/16/ole-miss-tackle-reconsidering-nfl-draft-entry/

by Lanier63 on Jan 16, 2008 4:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Money isn't an issue

The Tuohy's are fairly wealthy.

This is interesting.

by Joel Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 4:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

as long as Herm does not tie his hands, then it is a good thing. Of course it does not matter who it is if he is asked to do something other than what he is accustomed. I think it is a good day for the Chiefs though. Gailey is known to be a crafty guy so who knows what you will see. Beat me to it Chris! Good job!

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 4:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

As I heard the news

I had literally just posted a piece about how the Broncos were also interested in Chan Gailey. So I had to delete that. Man, Chan Gailey has already forced me to cancel an interview and delete a post.

He can only go up from here in my book.

by Chris Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as

he does this to opposing defenses, I will be happy! How did you get an interview with Price?

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

um...

I um...wow...

I uh...

I mean he's very...yeah.

and I mean he can...

Well, he's got experience...

I don't know how I feel just yet.

(remembers dogma)

But what I do know is that Herm made this move, so it must have been the right one! Go Chiefs!

Not criticising Herm Edwards for anything since December '07.

by Ridiculous Matt on Jan 16, 2008 4:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Easy Mawk

gather your self, could be a good thing!

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa! Remember your signature!

No criticism! Sounded an awful lot like sarcasm, MAWK...

by Joel Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 4:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's why I covered!

Haven't said anything negative!

I don't know what to say about it. I think I'll just shut up, wave some pom-poms, and wait for the season to decide how he does.

Not criticising Herm Edwards for anything since December '07.

by Ridiculous Matt on Jan 16, 2008 4:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That where

I am at this has to be the right move for Herm or so sorry bye-bye.

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 5:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

opinion

I'd rather hear what you really think so we can celebrate or hold you to it later on, whichever the case may be.

Where you been MAWK? Erics trying to keep me busy but he's getting doubleteamed by me and primetime.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering the same thing?

The caption this post I thought Mawk is going to tear it up and nothing.

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 5:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Something must be wrong

Chiefs fans always have something to complain about. Even when things are going well!

by Joel Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not complaining

just holding the line and being positive as I can.

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 5:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Staying positive is a chore these days

by Joel Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We all need Eric and MAWK

If nothing else, you guys keep our optimism in check and force us to look more closely at things.

I know in doing research on things to debate you guys about I found out alot of things that were encouraging and disproved my own preconceived notions.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cool

I'm happy about this. We've got an experienced guy thats used to running his own boat and won't be worried about whether he is making the move his boss would make.

I know alot of people thought we should be going for Cameron or Billick, but really I think those are the same people that think we should draft Ryan, the QB from Boston College jut because he's the top QB in this years draft. Some people seem to get stars in their eyes.

Gailey likes to run the football and is creative about it, which is compatible with Herms philosophy. He also likes to stretch the field with the passing game which the Chiefs desperately need to do. He's also got the reputation for throwing a few gadget plays out there once in a while to keep the defense guessing.

Now lets get some talented players in here and get this thing rolling again.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This is a great hire

Those who think Herm will tie his hands don't know Chan Gailey. Chan Gailey is too experienced to let Herm Edwards tie his hands.

That's what makes this hire so great. Gailey is a pretty good playcaller, but he's an outstanding coach. This is exactly the guy to improve the offensive line in a very big way. And to revolve the offense around our star running back.

The pass offense isn't going to be outstanding. The offense isn't going to light up fireworks. But it's going to be solid, and I'm cool with that.

by chiefzilla on Jan 16, 2008 5:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think you're right

I don't think Herm meddled with Solari as much as some people do, but I do think that Solari was so insecure that he was constantly worried about whether he was calling the game the way Herm wanted to rather than just calling it and getting stuff done.

Then as things went from bad to worse, Herm probably got more involved in the game planning aspect.

Gailey knows what he's doing and being a head coach in the past, he's used to taking the thing by the horns and getting it done. This should free Herm up to work on the things hes more suited for.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully

Gailey is good with clock management, you know Herm I do not think you want to call a timeout before you challenge this it is questionable. Or we have a minute 45 left before half and just made them punt we should try to get something out of this.

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 5:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Quote from Bill Cowher about Chan Gailey

This sounds like a pretty good endorsment to me. From Bill Cowher:

"Of all the coordinators that I've had work for me, Chan Gailey was, if not the best, one of the best, and as resourceful an offensive mind that I've been around," former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher said of Gailey. "Moreover, his teaching skills are second to none."

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sounds good to me

Although the words resourceful and the Chiefs offense does make me a bit nervous.

by Joel Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well remember who its coming from

Cowher is an extremely conservative coach. So I'm sure its all relative.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Did you just type that?

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 5:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Type what?

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That almost

sounded like a shot at the current regime.

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 5:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not really

When Cowher talks about Gailey being resourceful on offense, I take that to mean he finds unconventional ways of getting the job done.

My comment to Primetime was that Cowher is extremely conservative and what he may see as a "daring" call should be taken in context.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 5:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

OK

Lets hope he is allowed to get the most out of the players, even if it might be a gutsy call.

by Eric on Jan 16, 2008 5:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you

As long as score more points than the other guys is whats important.

by DJ on Jan 16, 2008 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Solid hire...

I think Gailey is about the best we could have hoped for. This hire will not melt the ice cold hearts of all the bitter Chiefs fans I know (all of my friends), but this is a solid move.

I am glad they hired an experienced coach, rather than a supposed "up and comer" like a Shula or Price; mostly because I was afraid a young coach would just follow Herm's lead too much and not take control of the offense. I think Gailey has enough experience and has had enough success to hopefully let Herm feel like he can step away from the offense and let Gailey do his job. And hopefully Gailey can take the offense in a couple directions that Herm couldn't have conceived of while still playing the ball control type offense Herm wants to run.

Of course, it still all starts with the line though, so hopefully Gailey has had some success rebuilding offensive lines. Anybody know if he has?

by matteo on Jan 16, 2008 6:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

He was with Pittsburgh in the 90s

When they were ranked high offensively so we know he can rush the ball...

by Joel Thorman on Jan 16, 2008 6:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

really not down with Chan

by royalsreview on Jan 16, 2008 9:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good Hire

With Gailey, the Chiefs get a proven OC.

Steven

by Steven on Jan 17, 2008 5:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Initial reaction?

I need a drink and the the Chiefs don't want my love.

by Bill Grigsbys Cirrhosis on Jan 17, 2008 7:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I would say after a day to think and review

that the best word for my reaction is "ho-hum."

Am I disappointed we didn't go with someone "sexier?" Yes. Because that would have meant someone young, who's willing to diverge from traditional play-calling (which, in my opinion, is becoming less and less useful as offenses continue to evolve), and who's willing to take chances.

But I can't really be surprised. Taking chances has never really been the M.O. of the organization, unless it was reaching on mid-first-round defensive linemen or backup quarterbacks.

So we'll have a pound-ahead running game, which will make our analysis of LJ that much more intense. We'll have a limited passing offense, which means we better get some better corners, because we can't afford to get into shootouts, period.

It's not the direction I would hope for, but that direction won't be coming as long as Herm is coaching. That doesn't mean that Herm's style can't win us a Super Bowl. And as long as we win a Super Bowl, I won't care how we get it done (unless it's cheating cough ).

So if I were to start asking questions, here's what they would be.

What kind of history does Chan have with installing screen plays? Because we're going to need a lot of them.
I know that the passing offense has thrived a little bit at Georgia Tech, that could be the sign of some good things. Anybody know what style offense they ran?
His work with the Dolphins seems particularly interesting, since they had a great power running game at that point.

All in all, it's a good hire. I approve, tentatively.

I will say this. We need to do something to breathe some life back into this team. Drafting McFadden if available, sign a free agent, something. Anybody else feel like we're headed for "just good" at best? I'm not asking us to go to a spread attack, sign the biggest free agents out there, and certainly not ignore the o-line. I just feel like all the organization has done so far is make "safe" moves. And I personally don't feel you win a Super Bowl that way.

Not criticising Herm Edwards for anything since December '07.

by Ridiculous Matt on Jan 17, 2008 9:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

You and I

both know well everyone else too know this is the way things are going to be under Herm. We will not see 31 points a game we will not see 500 yards a game, remember that is arena football it is not real football. All we can hope is that Gailey will be able to do some things outside the box doutful, but maybe. Hopefully Herm will stick to what he knows best and let this experiencedguy he hired do his job.

by Eric on Jan 17, 2008 10:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Chiefs are NOT

trying to get to the superbowl this year.

They are trying to get there the year after.

This year is to get into the playoffs.

These 'conservative' coaches do one thing best.

build basics.

basics will get you to the playoffs.

after basics are drilled in and seen to, then you add an 'special stuff', and that little bit of 'special stuff' gets you to the Super Bowl.

What is 'special stuff'? it's those plays and people that are able to pull out a performance out of when it matters most and surprise the hell out of everyone.

just my 2 cent

Big Bear

by bigbearomaha on Jan 17, 2008 9:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs