Chan Gailey: NFL Head Coach Biography

Playing Career

• Gailey played quarterback at the University of Florida from 1971 to 1973, where he was a backup for most of his collegiate career.

Coaching Career

• Early Coaching Roles: Gailey began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Florida. He quickly rose through the ranks with early stints at Troy State (where he was part of the 1984 Division II National Championship team as head coach), Air Force, and the USFL’s Denver Gold.
• Denver Broncos (NFL): Gailey joined the Denver Broncos' staff in 1985, serving in various offensive roles. He was the offensive coordinator when the Broncos reached Super Bowl XXIV in 1990.
• Pittsburgh Steelers: In the mid-1990s, Gailey was the Steelers’ wide receivers coach and later offensive coordinator, helping guide the team to the playoffs.
• Dallas Cowboys (NFL Head Coach): Gailey was named head coach of the Cowboys in
  1998. He led Dallas to playoff appearances in both seasons (1998, 1999), compiling an 18–14 regular season record, but was dismissed after consecutive wild card round losses.
• Georgia Tech (College Head Coach): From 2002 to 2007, Gailey served as head coach at Georgia Tech, where he led the Yellow Jackets to six consecutive bowl games.
• Buffalo Bills (NFL Head Coach): Gailey returned to the NFL as head coach of the Bills (2010–2012), compiling a 16–32 record in three seasons, though unable to break the team’s playoff drought.
• Other NFL Stops: Gailey has also served as offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and New York Jets, earning praise for his creative offensive schemes and ability to develop quarterbacks.

Career Highlights & Accomplishments

• 2× NFL Head Coach (Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills)
• Super Bowl XXIV appearance as Denver Broncos offensive coordinator
• 6 bowl games in 6 seasons as Georgia Tech head coach
• Division II National Championship as Troy State head coach (1984)

Relevant Facts

• Gailey is known for his adaptability and for designing offenses that maximize players’ strengths.
• He played a key role in the development of several quarterbacks, including Kordell Stewart, Jay Fiedler, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
• Though never winning a playoff game as an NFL head coach, he maintained a reputation as a respected offensive strategist and leader.

Legacy & Career Overview

Chan Gailey: NFL Head Coach Biography

Thomas Chandler "Chan" Gailey Jr. is an American football coach with a career spanning over four decades, known for his adaptability, offensive ingenuity, and steady leadership at both the collegiate and professional levels. Born on January 5, 1952, in Gainesville, Georgia, Gailey’s football journey has taken him from the playing fields of the University of Florida to the sidelines of the NFL and major college programs across the country.

Early Life and Playing Career

Chan Gailey grew up in Georgia, where his love for football was fostered at a young age. He attended the University of Florida, playing quarterback for the Gators from 1971 to
1973. Although not a star player, Gailey’s intelligence and leadership qualities were evident, traits that would serve him well in his future coaching career. He graduated in 1974, soon transitioning from player to coach.

Early Coaching Career

Gailey began his coaching career at the collegiate level, starting as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida in
1974. He quickly moved through the ranks, working as a secondary coach at Troy State, then as offensive coordinator at both Air Force and Troy State. Notably, he helped guide Troy State to a Division II national championship in 1984, his first major coaching achievement.

Entry into the NFL

Gailey’s professional coaching career began in the NFL with the Denver Broncos in 1985, where he served in various offensive roles. He was the Broncos' offensive coordinator from 1989 to 1990, directing an offense led by Hall of Famer John Elway. During this tenure, the Broncos reached the Super Bowl XXIV, though they fell to the San Francisco 49ers.

Head Coaching Career: Birmingham Fire and Dallas Cowboys

• Birmingham Fire (WLAF): In the early 1990s, Gailey took his first head coaching job with the Birmingham Fire of the short-lived World League of American Football (WLAF), leading the team to two playoff appearances.
• Dallas Cowboys (NFL): Chan Gailey’s first NFL head coaching position came in 1998 with the storied Dallas Cowboys. In his two seasons (1998–1999), Gailey compiled an 18–14 regular season record, leading the Cowboys to the playoffs both years, though they were eliminated in the Wild Card round each time. Despite his winning record, Gailey was fired after the 1999 season, marking the only time in franchise history a Dallas head coach was dismissed after a playoff appearance.

Return to Assistant Roles and College Coaching

After Dallas, Gailey served as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins (2000–2001) and Pittsburgh Steelers (1996–1997, prior to Dallas). He then transitioned back to college football, becoming the head coach at Georgia Tech from 2002 to
2007. At Georgia Tech, he led the Yellow Jackets to bowl games every season, finishing with a 44–32 record. However, he was unable to secure an ACC title, and his tenure ended after the 2007 season.

Buffalo Bills Head Coach (2009–2012)

Gailey returned to the NFL in 2010 as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Tasked with rebuilding a struggling franchise, he coached the Bills for three seasons (2010–2012), posting a 16–32 record. Although his stint did not produce playoff appearances, Gailey’s offensive schemes helped revive the career of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Stevie Johnson, turning the Bills’ offense into an exciting, if inconsistent, unit.

Later NFL Roles and Retirement

Gailey remained a respected offensive mind, serving as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2015 to 2016, where he again worked with Ryan Fitzpatrick to produce one of the Jets’ best offensive seasons in recent memory (10–6 record in 2015). In 2020, he emerged from retirement to serve as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, reuniting with head coach Brian Flores. Gailey retired again after the 2020 season.

Coaching Philosophy and Legacy

• Offensive Innovation: Gailey is known for his flexible, creative offensive schemes, tailoring his approach to the strengths of his personnel.
• Development of Talent: He has a reputation for maximizing quarterback performance and developing overlooked players.
• Steady Leadership: Though never winning a Super Bowl as a head coach, Gailey’s teams were known for discipline and competitiveness.

Career Highlights and Accomplishments

• 2× NFL Playoff Appearances (Dallas Cowboys, 1998–1999)
• 6 Consecutive Bowl Appearances (Georgia Tech, 2002–2007)
• WLAF Playoff Appearances (Birmingham Fire)
• Super Bowl Appearance as Offensive Coordinator (Denver Broncos, 1989 season)
• 44–32 Record as Georgia Tech Head Coach

Personal Life

Chan Gailey is widely respected for his integrity, humility, and positive influence on players and staff. He is married to Laurie Gailey and is active in philanthropy and community service, often cited as a mentor by his former players and coaches.

Summary

While Chan Gailey may not be a household name among NFL head coaches, his impact on the game is significant. With a career marked by adaptability, innovation, and leadership at every level, Gailey’s legacy is one of dedication and service to the sport of football.