Who Is Chan Gailey Besides a New Candidate for Browns OC Spot?
The Cleveland Browns lost one person off their reported list of possible offensive coordinator candidates today, Greg Roman accept the same position with the Buffalo Bills. The team has a new name on the list of candidates as well today, Chan Gailey according to Alex Marvez:
Source tells @NFLonFOX that Chan Gailey on @Browns radar as potential OC. Joins Marc Trestman, Al Saunders & John DeFillipo as candidates
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 12, 2015
Many know the name Chan Gailey but may not have a clear idea who Gailey is and what they should think about him as a candidate. We will take a quick trip down Gailey lane and give our thoughts on each of his important stops to give you a fresh pictures of a guy that could be running the Browns offense next season.
Last 2 Season
For the last two seasons Chan Gailey has not been coaching in the NFL. He has done some side work, including coaching the Medal of Honor Bowl but has not had a full time job with the NFL.
Thoughts: That concerns us even though he may have “retired.”
2010 – 2012
Gailey was the head coach for the Buffalo Bills. He was fired after 3 seasons with the team. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 3,000 yards in Gailey’s first season with the Bills, 3,832 the following season and 3,400 yards in Gailey’s final year. That alone should get Browns fans excited.
He also had a decent rushing attack with a young Fred Jackson and a very young C.J. Spiller. Jackson almost had 1,000 yards in Gailey’s first two years while Spiller exploded in Gailey’s final season with 1,244 yards on the ground. Stevie Johnson was the leading receiver all 3 years and topped 1,000 yards himself every year.
Thoughts: A very spread out offense that racked up numbers. Gailey isn’t the perfect head coach but could be a good fit across from Mike Pettine looking at his last time coaching.
2008 – 2009
Gailey was hired as the Kansas City Chiefs’ OC in 2008. The Chiefs offense was last in most categories the year before Gailey arrived. His first, and really only, season with the Chiefs saw improvement even with Tyler Thigpen leading the passing game, 2,608 yards on 55% passing. Larry Johnson was still around and handled most of the load but only played 12 games that season. Jamaal Charles was in his rookie season and contributed 357 yards to go along with Johnson’s 874. Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe both had over 1,000 yards on the season.
Three games into the next pre-season Todd Haley relieved Gailey of his play calling duties and let him go. Haley was a hot headed coach at that point in time and seemed to want control. Haley didn’t last long as a HC, not surprisingly.
Thoughts: Not terrible for one season given the quarterbacks he had to work with. Haley’s power need wasn’t on Gailey.
2002 – 2007
Gailey was the Head Coach at Georgia Tech. None of his teams finished in the Top 25 in the control but he was able to stick around for a few years. He was finally fired at the end of the 2007 season.
Thoughts: Don’t think Gailey is a great head coach. Other than that, college is a far different beast with recruiting and the like.
2000 – 2001
Gailey was the OC for the Miami Dolphins. With Jay Fiedler his first season, Gailey relied on Lamar Smith to tote the rock over 300 times for 1,139 yards and 14 TDs. Someone name Oronde Gadsden, who I remember but I’m sure most don’t, let the receiving corp with 56 catches and 6 TDs. Fielder was back for Gailey’s second season and threw for over 3,200 yards on 61% passing. Smith almost had another thousand yard season while James McKnicght tied Gadsden with 55 catches to lead the team.
Thoughts: Gailey hasn’t had a ton of talent to work with at the QB position in the NFL but his offenses still were successful.
1998 – 1999
Chan Gailey took over as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, following Barry Switzer. No talent excuses for Gailey here as he had the Triplets of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irving. Aikman only played 11 games that season, current Dallas HC Jason Garrett was his backup and started the other games. Combined they threw for over 3,500 yards while Smith ran for 1,332 yards and Irving had over 1,000 yards receiving. Aikman played in 14 games the next season and Raghib Ismail took over Irving’s role as the primary receiver, with similar numbers. Smith almost had 1,400 yards in Gailey’s final season.
Thoughts: With a ton of talent, even with Aikman out for games, Gailey’s offense looked really good.
Prior to the Cowboys Gailey was the Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator, head coach at Samford and an assistant all over the world, including the 2 time Super Bowl participant Denver Broncos during his time with the teams. he had success everywhere, including little Troy where he led the college to a Division II championship.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
Now you know where Gailey has been how does it impact your thoughts on him?
For us Gailey has shown that he can coach offenses even when the talent level isn’t high, that is impressive. He made Fitz, Thigpen and Fiedler look like competent quarterbacks. He also liked to run his QBs some which the Browns will need with Johnny Manziel as the possible starter. At some level he was ahead of his time with his use of a QBs legs.
Gailey also could be passed by. There may be a reason, besides maybe he “retired,” that he has been out of football for two years.
Yet his fit, an offensive guy with head coaching experience, fits well with Mike Pettine and the Browns. If he could make something out of those offenses there is hope he can do a ton with the Browns.
What do you think about Chan Gailey for Browns Offensive Coordinator?
Connect with Dawg Pound Daily