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Gailey beats long odds to become fourth Cowboys coach...
The name is Chan, short for "Chandler" Gailey
and he's the new coach of the Dallas Cowboys, beating odds Las
Vegas wouldn't have touched.
The little-known Gailey became the fourth and least-heralded coach in
the Cowboys' 38-year history on Thursday, walking the Valley Ranch
halls where Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer produced
Super Bowl champions.
Gailey has been responsible for one champion as head coach, winning
the 1984 NCAA Division II title at Troy State.
But he impressed Jerry Jones in a four-day courtship that ended a
34-day search by the sometimes uncertain owner.
He comes to the Cowboys from Pittsburgh with a mandate for discipline
and developing a scoring punch inside the 20-yard line where Dallas
was next to last in the NFL.
"I sat on the front of my seat when I saw his energy level," said Jones,
who had never met Gailey before they got together Sunday at the NFL
scouting combine in Indianapolis. "He'll put fire into the players when
they see his skill level."
Gailey, the Steelers offensive coordinator the last two years, beat out
such big names as former San Francisco coach George Seifert and
Green Bay offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis.
Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue almost had the job, but lost it in a
battle with Jones over money and control.
"Jerry's long search might have been the best thing that happened," said
quarterback Troy Aikman. "I think Chan can put his stamp on the team
and give it a sense of direction. I like what I've heard him say."
Jones gave a laundry list of things he liked about Gailey. Some of the
highlights were previous head coaching experience, albeit at small
colleges and in the World League, and the fact he's a former
quarterback.
Jones also liked the fact Gailey has spent 10 years as an NFL assistant.
Four of those teams reached the Super Bowl and seven were division
winners, while enduring only one losing season.
This past season, his play-calling helped the Steelers reach the AFC
championship game, although some of his decisions were criticized for
the 24-21 loss to Denver.
"With each stop along the coaching road, he's made a very vivid and
lasting impression," Jones said.
Gailey, 46, was given a five-year contract. His salary was expected to
be about $500,000 per year - the same amount Donahue was offered.
"This is the beginning of the dream," Gailey said. ``Another part of that
dream ... is that we get to stand on that podium some late January
afternoon and have a hand on that Lombardi Trophy. ...
"The end of the dream, the final dream, will be that ... we're champions
with class, dignity and character. That's what I'm about."
Gailey said he was eager to begin retooling a team that crumbled to a
6-10 record last year under Barry Switzer, who announced his
resignation Jan. 9.
"I plan to work hard and get the guys organized to play," Gailey said. ``I
don't plan to run around here with a whip, but I'm focused on what has
to be done. The goal is to win the Super Bowl and I'm fortunate to get a
nucleus of players to get that done."
Gailey said he wasn't going to be a puppet for Jones.
"Our relationship will be good, don't worry about it," Gailey said.
Denver quarterback John Elway, who worked with Gailey when he was
offensive coordinator for the Broncos, said the Cowboys have a treat
coming.
"The Cowboys are going to be delighted with him," Elway said. ``Troy
is going to enjoy working with him as I did during his days here in
Denver. He is a great coach and a quality person. I think you'll see he is
going to be one of the great coaches of this league."
Winning with Elway is one thing. But being successful with Neil
O'Donnell, then helping turn Kordell Stewart into an NFL success at
quarterback shows that he can adapt his coaching style to his talent.
Gailey will try doing that again in Dallas, as he proclaimed himself in
charge of the offense. Jones called him a "highly innovative, creative
mind on the offensive side of the ball."
Wide receiver Michael Irvin, who had been a vocal backer of Lewis,
said: "I'm totally excited about Gailey. We needed somebody with a
creative head for the game. The way Pittsburgh plays says a lot about
his ability."
Irvin said he backed Lewis because "he deserves to be head coach. I
thought it was important to let Jerry know that."
Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher said: "I'm happy for Chan. People will find
out soon enough that he is a good coach. We all were no-names at one
time."
In fact, all four coaches in Dallas history had never been NFL head
coaches. Landry went on to win two Super Bowls, Johnson won two
and Switzer won one.
However, the Cowboys are coming off their worst season since going
1-15 in 1989. They ended a five-year run atop the NFC East and
missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
"I am very focused about what has to be done," Gailey said, ``and
where we have to go."
Atlanta coach Danny Reeves, who worked with Gailey at Denver, said
"Chan has been successful at everything he's ever done. He's a bright
football mind."
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