Chan Gailey through the years

Sports

Chan Gailey's coaching career from Troy State to Georgia Tech, with stops in Dallas, Denver, Pittsburgh and Miami. Gailey was fired by Georgia Tech. Despite a winning record, he never beat Georgia in six seasons.

Gailey was all smiles during the first day of football practice at Georgia Tech on August 3, 2007. A win over Notre Dame (then highly-regarded) in the season opener only added to the good feelings on campus. But the season soured, leading to Gailey's ouster. He leaves Tech as the only coach who has had nothing but winning seasons. He also joins Bobby Dodd as the only Tech coaches to win seven or more games in six consecutive seasons. But Dodd beat Georgia, and Gailey never did.

Gailey coached defensive backs at Troy State (1976-78), then became a defensive assistant and defensive coordinator at Air Force (1979-82). He returned to Troy State for his first head coaching job in 1983.

Gailey (in the middle) led Troy State to a 12-1 record and Division II national championship in 1984 before jumping to the pro ranks. He was an assistant coach with the Denver Broncos from 1985-90.

Gailey left Denver for the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football. In 1991-92, Gailey had a record of 12-7-1 and made the playoffs each year. But the Fire went out and Gailey had to look for a new job. He stayed in Birmingham, returning to the college ranks in 1993 to coach Samford to a 5-6 record. He next joined the Steelers as wide receivers coach.

Gailey distinguished himself as an innovative offensive coordinator with the Steelers (1996-97). On Feb. 12, 1998, he met the press as the new Dallas Cowboys coach. Owner Jerry Jones was hoping Gailey could turn around the Cowboys after a 6-10 season under Barry Switzer.

Gailey had a record of 18-14 with the Cowboys from 1998-99. Dallas, quarterbacked by Troy Aikman, made the playoffs each of Gailey's two seasons, but failed to win a playoff game and the coach was on the move again -- this time to the Miami Dolphins as offensive coordinator.

Gailey was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator from 2000-01 on a staff that included Mike Shula (second from right), who can appreciate the importance of beating your college arch-rival. As the Alabama coach, he never beat Auburn.

Gailey, shown enjoying some laughs with his wife Laurie at their home in Davie, Fla., in early 2001, was a successful coach with the Dolphins when Tech called.

Gailey walked past a painting of legendary Georgia Tech football coach Bobby Dodd on his way to the news conference where he was introduced as the Yellow Jackets' 11th head football coach on Dec. 29, 2001. Gailey has four years left on a contract that pays him more than $1 million a year.

Gailey, a native of Americus, Ga., got comfortable in his new office on campus in January, 2002. Since he's been at Tech, 39 Yellow Jackets have been drafted or signed NFL contracts, including No. 2 pick Calvin Johnson.

Gailey's first day of spring practice with the Jackets was March 22, 2002. "How many times does a guy like myself get a chance to come to an institute like this?" he had asked.

Gailey is the only Tech head coach to lead the Jackets to a bowl game in each of his first five seasons and the Jackets are headed for another one this year, making their streak 11 in a row.

Gailey suffered a heart attack in March 2005 while playing racquetball. He underwent balloon angioplasty to clear out blockage and five months later was physically fit and back on the court for an early-morning match.

In happier times, Gailey was doused with ice water during the fourth quarter of the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho, on Jan. 3, 2004. The Jackets poured it on against Tulsa 52-10. This season, a trip to Boise isn't as appealing.

Gailey and quarterback Reggie Ball had good times -- including the Jackets' win over Auburn on Sept. 6, 2003 -- as well as bad times in never defeating Georgia. In the 2005-06 seasons, Georgia had wins over No. 3 Miami and No. 10 Virginia Tech.

Gailey gazed at the scoreboard after Tech called its final timeout in the 2006 ACC Championship game. The Jackets lost to Wake Forest 9-6, then fell to West Virginia 38-35 in the Gator Bowl to finish the 9-5 season with three straight losses. Each defeat was by three points, including a 15-12 loss to unranked Georgia when the Jackets were ranked 16th.

On Jan. 19, 2007, Gailey held a press conference about his decision to remain at Georgia Tech. At that time, he was being considered for the Dolphins' head coaching job. "We have 17 of the 22 returning starters from the bowl game," he said. "We've got a great recruiting class. We've got a (Coastal) Division title to defend."

Gailey raced down the sideline to argue a call in the second quarter of the 31-17 loss to Georgia last week. The defeat was Gailey's sixth, and Tech's seventh straight to the Bulldogs. No other Tech football coach has lost more than four in a row in the series.

Gailey left Grant Field for the last time Saturday night. He finished with an overall record of 44-32 at Tech, 28-20 in ACC games. However, Gailey never ended a season in the Top 25, won an ACC championship or produced a 10-victory season.

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Gailey was all smiles during the first day of football practice at Georgia Tech on August 3, 2007. A win over Notre Dame (then highly-regarded) in the season opener only added to the good feelings on campus. But the season soured, leading to Gailey's ouster. He leaves Tech as the only coach who has had nothing but winning seasons. He also joins Bobby Dodd as the only Tech coaches to win seven or more games in six consecutive seasons. But Dodd beat Georgia, and Gailey never did.

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