Bills fire entire staff + stealth meeting with Cowher = (hope?)

[boberot]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/15675/bills-fire-entire-coaching-staff

Report: Cowher had "stealth meeting" with Bills | ProFootballTalk.com (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/03/report-cowher-had-stealth-meeting-with-bills/)

Look, it's probably a long shot, but 1+1 just might equal two, so let a guy hope, wouldja?

[Hoya1]

step 1

[jeff061]

I can't imagine they'd clean house like that the day after the season ended without having something rather substantial lined up.

[boberot]

I can't imagine they'd clean house like that the day after the season ended without out having something rather substantial lined up.

That was kind of my thought process. Do you fire EVERYBODY to make a play for Cam Cameron?!

That just seems unlikely to me. It seems more likely to clean house for somebody of a higher profile who is going to want to assemble his entire staff.

But I'm just a sucker who has been sucking at the teat of hope for more than 15 years.

[Hoya1]

I just hope they bring in someone who will be a difference maker.

[spleen1015]

They knew Jim Zorn was available.

[Rizon]

That was kind of my thought process. Do you fire EVERYBODY to make a play for Cam Cameron?!


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Samdari]

Do you fire EVERYBODY to make a play for Cam Cameron?!


Before Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder owened teams, it was commonplace to fire everyone when you fired the head coach, thus allowing the new guyto put together his own staff. The Bills fired their HC months ago, this is hardly a surprise, or related to what they have lined up.

FWIW, Perry Fewell has been guaranteed an interview for the HC job, and the organization has told the staff that any of them could be rehired (although Schonert seems unlikely :).

[DaddyTorgo]

There was a crawl on ESPN while I ate lunch saying that Cowher is still very unlikely to coach this next year.

[Kodos]

Please let the Bills hire Cam Cameron! Make it happen!

[Noop]

Why would he want to go to Buffalo? If anything I would hope Cowher finds a job in Carolina or Jacksonville...(they might move to L.A.)

[gstelmack]

Cowher is waiting for John Fox to leave so he can coach in the same state his daughter's are attending school...

[Chubby]

most of the warm weather cities are probably hanging onto their coaches according to various talking heads. cowher wont wait with the possibility of no football in 2011...

I will HOPE 1+1=2 but am not overly optimistic right now, firing all the coaches is a good 1st step tho.

[DaddyTorgo]

most of the warm weather cities are probably hanging onto their coaches according to various talking heads. cowher wont wait with the possibility of no football in 2011...

I will HOPE 1+1=2 but am not overly optimistic right now, firing all the coaches is a good 1st step tho.

maybe they just wanted to consult with him on how to hire a coach...?

[Chubby]

maybe they just wanted to consult with him on how to hire a coach...?

I doubt that. They already went after him earlier after they fired Jauron so I have no doubt they are trying to get him, I just don't think the firings signal an immenint announcement of Cowher's (or Shanny's) hiring

[Hoya1]

The Bills just have to do something. Perhaps Ralph can use some of his Ted Rogers Toronto money and put it to good use.
I keep telling myselft that something good will happen for the Bills at some point.................right?

[Chubby]

The Bills just have to do something. Perhaps Ralph can use some of his Ted Rogers Toronto money and put it to good use.
I keep telling myselft that something good will happen for the Bills at some point.................right?

I'm just hoping that Ralph doesn't want to die without seeing the Bills at least in the playoffs again so he's finally willing to spend some $$$. The last time the Bills were good was pre-cap so maybe with next year uncapped...

[boberot]

Yeah, piggy-backing on Chubby's point: I've been conditioned to keep my expectations low with this franchise, but these two moves give me hope.

One more thing gives me a glimmer of hope:
Ralph is in his 90s. His opportunity to "mold his legacy" is speeding past him. Many fans here are irate, feeling that he's a cheapskate and has taken advantage of their undying loyalty.

I want to believe there's a legitimate chance that Ralph makes a decision to spend some money to get a high-profile guy in here. What good is $ to somebody whose personal low-battery indicator is probably flashing at this very moment? His family cant afford the estate taxes on the team, so it'll be sold to God-knows-who.

BUT: He has a chance to put himself back in the fans good graces by making the end-of-life legacy move. Fans here are quick to anger, but they're also quick to forgive. So, yeah, still nursing at the teat of hope . . . .

[SteveMax58]

Making a play for Mangini?

[hoopsguy]

step 1

You cut a hole in the box?

[lungs]

Maybe they shouldn't have gotten rid of Wade Phillips!

[boberot]

OK, those heady few hours were pretty intoxicating.

"Those in the know" seem to now be throwing around names like Brian Billick and Brian Schottenheimer.

I'm going to console myself now by rolling out, "Eh, Cowher's overrated. One Super Bowl in 15 years?!"

;)







:banghead:

[Chubby]

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<!-- End /PubSys/Story/MediaBox/MediaBox.comp --><!--endclickprintexclude--><!---->The Buffalo Bills today released all of their coaches from their obligations to the team, the team said in a statement.
The move comes as no surprise, and in fact, is a courtesy for a team making a head coaching change.
The Bills' coaches all had one year remaining on their contracts with the team. By releasing the coaches, the team is giving the assistants a chance to pursue any other coaching opportunities that they may desire.
The Bills are scheduled to interview interim head coach Perry Fewell for the head coaching job this evening, a team source told The News.
Fewell went 3-4 as the replacement for Dick Jauron after the Bills fired Jauron on Nov. 17.
It's possible the Bills will try to retain one or more of their current assistants, depending on whether whoever is named new head coach wants to offer them a job.
The Bills' assistants are: John Allaire, strength and conditioning; Bobby April, assistant head coach and special teams coordinator; Ray Brown, assistant offensive line; George Catavolos, defensive backs; Charlie Coiner, tight ends; DeMontie Cross, assistant linebackers; Nate Hackcett, quality control; Sean Kugler, offensive line; Chuck Lester, assistant to the head coach; Bob Sanders, defensive line; Matt Sheldon, linebackers; Eric Studesville, running game coordinator; Tyke Tolbert, receivers; Alex Van Pelt, offensive coordinator; and Adrian White, quality control.
The coaches technically remain under contract to the team while the Bills search for a new head coach and coaching staff.
[email protected] ([email protected])

[Senator]

More importantly - GRUDEN TO CLEV.

MAKE IT SO!

[RendeR]

Most likely candidate right now appears to be Brian Billick, He's been reported to be building a coaching staff on the hush hush. To me this means he's already spoken to someone or thinks a call is imminent. He's also stated numerous times that while he's enjoying his NFL network gig, he really wants to coach again.

[Chubby]

I think I would be happy with Billick, I have never really expected Cowher or Shanny to go to the Bills...

[dervack]

Most likely candidate right now appears to be Brian Billick, He's been reported to be building a coaching staff on the hush hush. To me this means he's already spoken to someone or thinks a call is imminent. He's also stated numerous times that while he's enjoying his NFL network gig, he really wants to coach again.
I love that statement (not directed at Render). How is it on the hush hush if it's being reported by many, many outlets?

[boberot]

A BREEZE STIRS THAT DYING EMBER OF HOPE:

Jan. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Bill Cowher and New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer are the leading candidates to land the Buffalo Bills’ coaching job, according to online oddsmakers.

The Bills yesterday dismissed interim coach Perry Fewell and the rest of his staff after completing a 6-10 season. The team said on its Web site that Fewell remains a candidate.

Cowher, who won a Super Bowl title during his 15 seasons as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, met with the Bills last week about the position, ESPN said yesterday. The sports network also said Cowher may not want to coach next season.

Cowher, who has spent the past three seasons as a National Football League analyst for CBS Sports, declined to comment on the air about whether he was interested in returning to coaching. He’s given 3-1 odds to become the Bills’ coach at online gambling Web site BetUS.com.

Schottenheimer, the son of former San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, has run the Jets’ offense for the past four seasons. He also has 3-1 odds of becoming the Bills’ coach, according to BetUS.

The Jets are in the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Buddy Nix, who took over as Bills’ general manager last week, worked with Brian and Marty Schottenheimer while in the Chargers’ front office from 2001-08. Brian Schottenheimer was San Diego’s quarterbacks coach from 2002-05 before joining the Jets.

Stanford University coach Jim Harbaugh has 4-1 odds to become the Bills’ coach, according to Costa Rica-based BetUS, followed by defensive coordinators Ron Rivera of the Chargers at 9-2 and Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings at 5-1.

To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at [email protected]

[boberot]

PLUS:

Jason La Canfora
Cowher still actively weighing coaching options
Posted: January 5th, 2010 | Jason La Canfora | Tags: Bill Cowher, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans, Ralph Wilson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers issued in essence a vote of confidence on coach Raheem Morris late Monday night, with a statement from owner Joel Glazer expressing “confidence” in the path Morris is on.

However, as we have been reporting, the Bucs reached out to Bill Cowher late in the season and have made an effort to secure his services.

Tampa Bay, however, has been unwilling to pay above the $5-6 million range for Cowher, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. There are also concerns about how much the team would be able to spend on players. That has blocked a deal to this point; should some of those parameters change, things could get interesting.

Cowher has also had contact from the Bills — one report from Western New York says Cowher will meet with team officials today — but some close to Cowher would be surprised if he went there. However, Cowher to the Bills should not be ruled out if Ralph Wilson makes an offer in the upper-echelon of coaching contracts.
Tampa Bay, Chicago, Houston and Carolina were the four teams Cowher was targeting should there be openings, but none of those are vacant and most likely will not be. While there is some uncertainty about the labor situation in 2011, the market could end up being more conducive to Cowher’s desires, with Chicago and Houston again with coaches entering the season under scrutiny, for instance.

Regardless, recent reports that Cowher had cooled his interest in coaching in 2010 are untrue, as he has been actively working on assembling a staff, weighing all options and receiving calls from teams.

[Abe Sargent]

Why not just hire Marty? I'd respect that a lot more than Billick. Plus, I think the Bills right now would love to go 12-4, 13-3 or even 14-2 in a division with the Pats, Phins and Jets even if they lose in the playoffs

[Sgran]

Cower is such a perfect fit for Chicago. I can't believe the McCantskies won't eat Lovie's contract. ugghh.

[Passacaglia]

Cower is such a perfect fit for Chicago. I can't believe the McCantskies won't eat Lovie's contract. ugghh.

You can't? I thought everyone was expecting it to play out exactly like this.

[dervack]

If the Bears had lost on Sunday to the lowly Lions, I would say Lovie would have been gone. Sadly, they won and saved his job for another season.

[RendeR]

I love that statement (not directed at Render). How is it on the hush hush if it's being reported by many, many outlets?


Once a single outlet finds out, then they all post the same info. It "was" on the hush hush until a single reporter got wind of it.

Who knows how long he's been calling around to people trying to put a staff together?

[Galaxy]

I don't see either Bill coming (and Cowher, to me, was always a pipe dream) to Buffalo. If the Bills wanted Billick, I think they would of interviewed him by now.

Now it appears that Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will interview tomorrow.

Until Ralph either passes away or sells the team, the Bills will always be a second-rate organization. Ralph wants control and the "credit".

[boberot]

I don't see either Bill coming (and Cowher, to me, was always a pipe dream) to Buffalo. If the Bills wanted Billick, I think they would of interviewed him by now.

Now it appears that Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will interview tomorrow.

Until Ralph either passes away or sells the team, the Bills will always be a second-rate organization. Ralph wants control and the "credit".

I feel ya Galaxy. I'm starting to believe I drank the Bills Hope kool-aid . . . again. Not only haven't they interviewed Billick, but they're going to Minnesota to interview Leslie Frazier. I know he's still "in season," but c'mon, when the hell does the interviewer go to the interviewee?!

[boberot]

DOLA:

Additionally, now guys like Russ Grimm and Brian Schottenheimer are turning their nose up like they almost stepped in dogshit.

Why the hell did Ralph have to say he was prepared to open the checkbook and make a big splash? Why did I allow myself to believe him!?

[Passacaglia]

I don't see either Bill coming (and Cowher, to me, was always a pipe dream) to Buffalo. If the Bills wanted Billick, I think they would of interviewed him by now.

Now it appears that Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will interview tomorrow.

Until Ralph either passes away or sells the team, the Bills will always be a second-rate organization. Ralph wants control and the "credit".

Who's the other Bill you're talking about besides Cowher?

[Galaxy]

I feel ya Galaxy. I'm starting to believe I drank the Bills Hope kool-aid . . . again. Not only haven't they interviewed Billick, but they're going to Minnesota to interview Leslie Frazier. I know he's still "in season," but c'mon, when the hell does the interviewer go to the interviewee?!

Yeah. I thought the Bills wanted an "offensive-minded" coach (with the talent to develop and manage QBs)? Is Frazier really one of the top coordinators in the NFL? Is Brian Schottenheimer really that good? You fire Jauron and have all this time to go through the process. Now, they say it may take a couple of weeks?

Wilson fired three of the more successful GMs in the NFL (Polian, Butler, and A. J. Smith). He wanted to "clean house". So what does he do? Interviews just two guys within the organization for the G.M. position and hires Nix (whom I don't "hate", but don't love). It's just how Ralph runs things and the process. It's saying one thing, but doing another.

I know the Bills are a "small-market" team. But if Cleveland is willing to throw out the big bucks, power, and show a real interest in winning to get Mike, the Bills have no excuse.

The Bills made, according to Forbes (#26 Buffalo Bills - Forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/30/football-values-09_Buffalo-Bills_301765.html)), $39.5 million in operating income which actually places them 12th in the league. And since Ralph paid just $25,000 for the team 50-some years ago, he doesn't have the debt to pay for the team like a lot of other incoming owners have.

Ralph is just as bad as Al Davis, but he does it in the background.

[DeToxRox]

Well, Brian Billick isn't really an offensive minded guy. Solid coach but outside of his time as OC in Minnesota, he didn't do much besides ride Jamal Lewis to glory. That doesn't mean he sucks by any means, but his reputation is blown way out of proportion.

Leslie Frazier seems like an okay choice, he is a hot name out there, so it couldn't hurt to take a shot on him if worst comes to worst.

[Galaxy]

Who's the other Bill you're talking about besides Cowher?

Opps...Mean Brian, not Bill. :)

[Galaxy]

Well, Brian Billick isn't really an offensive minded guy. Solid coach but outside of his time as OC in Minnesota, he didn't do much besides ride Jamal Lewis to glory. That doesn't mean he sucks by any means, but his reputation is blown way out of proportion.

Leslie Frazier seems like an okay choice, he is a hot name out there, so it couldn't hurt to take a shot on him if worst comes to worst.

I agree with you on the Billick point. The Ravens won with defense. And Billick was hired due to his offensive success with the Vikings. I don't know, just raises some concern with me.

[RedKingGold]

Looking like Chan Gailey to be the new head man of the Bills (according to PFT)

Sorry Buffalo fans.

[k0ruptr]

oh wow, that really sucks. I really thought Leslie Frazier would get that job.

[JonInMiddleGA]

LMAO @ Buffalo

[Crapshoot]

I don't generally buy the Rooney Rule as an efficient mechanism, but man, this sure smells like the good ol' boy network; the 70+ year old GM hiring one of the guys he's familiar with who's been around the block.

[Samdari]

Chan Gailey?

Did Russ Grimm turn down an interview there too?

They'd seriously be better off hiring Jauron back than Gailey. This is absurd.

[JonInMiddleGA]

They'd seriously be better off hiring Jauron back than Gailey. This is absurd.

They'd be better off bringing back Marv Levy.

For that matter, Eugene Levy.

[Abe Sargent]

Chan Gailey? HAHAHAHAHA

[Apathetic Lurker]

Krap!, Double Krap ......Wheres Kay Stephenson when you need him?



but on a positive note, he does have a winning NFL coaching record as a head coach...That said, shoot me please .. NOW!!!!!!!!!

[Abe Sargent]

So the Bills, unable to pickup someone like a Cowher, instead of trying to find a hot assistant to be their new head coach, like the hires of Andy Reid, Mike Tomlin, Ken Whisenhunt, Jon Gruden and others, have instead elected to go with Chan Gailey? That just boggles my mind.

[RainMaker]

So is he trying to pull a Rachel Phelps to get the team out of Buffalo? This makes no sense at all for a franchise that really needs a spark.

[Apathetic Lurker]

Could have been worse I guess.. Rich Kotite must not have been willing to come to Buffalo


Maybe Cowher and Shottzie told them to wait a year so they got a one year body in there..Here's hoping

[Kodos]

Wayne Fontes is available still.

[RainMaker]

I'd offer up Mike Tice but the Bears just hired him as an assistant.

[RedKingGold]

You know it's bad when Lane Kiffen turns a trick down.

[Apathetic Lurker]

Wayne Fontes is available still.


Better than Kotite

[Samdari]

This thread made me wonder "whatever happened to Wayne Fontes?"

So I look up his wikipedia page, and find this nugget:

"Given the recent developments with the Florida Gators, he may also be a candidate for their head coaching position."

Some pretty good comedy writing there.

[Glengoyne]

So I'm just guessing, but for NFL fans. Chan Gailey != Hope

[Hoya1]

this is brutal.

I think I'd rather have Billick in there. Chan Gailey? really?

Let's go Buffalo!

[flere-imsaho]

My compassion for Bills' fans continues to only grow....

[boberot]

Well, that worked out just Billiciously.

I told my buddies as soon as I heard, "Well, the world will be laughing their asses off at us." And for good reason.

Apparently, it came down to Chan Gailey, Dave Campo and Hank Bullough.
I kid [I think].

Nix had the balls to say shit like they were looking for a winner and "we found that guy. This guy met more of the criteria that I ever hoped we'd find. This guy's won everywhere he's been" and "Chan was on the list from day one."

Apparently, he came "highly recommended by Bill Cowher."

I'm glad we fired everybody, including a few very well-respected assistants, so that he could pick his own staff.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Reggie Ball for QB Coach :D

[NoSkillz]

Well, that worked out just Billiciously.

I told my buddies as soon as I heard, "Well, the world will be laughing their asses off at us." And for good reason.

Apparently, it came down to Chan Gailey, Dave Campo and Hank Bullough.
I kid [I think].

Nix had the balls to say shit like they were looking for a winner and "we found that guy. This guy met more of the criteria that I ever hoped we'd find. This guy's won everywhere he's been" and "Chan was on the list from day one."

Apparently, he came "highly recommended by Bill Cowher."

I'm glad we fired everybody, including a few very well-respected assistants, so that he could pick his own staff.

Unfortunately, they DIDN'T fire everybody.

The football operations department remains completely intact and having the same guys in charge of scouting and evaluating talent (ie: John Guy, Tom Modrak) means that the status quo is still in effect.

I'm ashamed to be a fan of this organization. This is NOT change. Gailey is the only guy they could get because no one wants to work for the Bills and Wilson, even though there are only 32 jobs like this in the WORLD.

It's a disgrace and the fans in Buffalo deserve so much better.

[stevew]

As laughable as the hire looks on paper, he's actually been reasonably successful at the pro level. Obviously the Bills will need to acquire a QB at the very least. I think if you were to go out and grab Kevin Kolb, it might turn out to be a decent teams.

But first off, they need to shitcan those jerseys, as they look like some sort of minor league team out there.

[k0ruptr]

Was Denny Green unavailable?

[larrymcg421]

Woot! It's celebration time for the rest of the AFC East!

[Kodos]

Woot! It's celebration time for the rest of the AFC East!

:funkychickendance: :party:

[Chubby]

Woot! It's celebration time for the rest of the AFC East!

Because the rest of the AFC East was already sooooooooo worried about the Bills... :(

[jaygr]

Apparently, he came "highly recommended by Bill Cowher."




When Cowher left the Steelers he actually got the team to give an interview to Gailey as well-- which was really considered by most as a courtesy interview more then a legit one. I am sorry that it was not a courtesy interview for your team too :(

[DeToxRox]

Report: Ralph Wilson nixed potential return of Martyball
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 19, 2010 5:49 PM ET
Bills owner Ralph Wilson's affinity of football men of a certain age has its limits.

Tim Graham of ESPN reports that Marty Schottenheimer "badly" wanted the Bills coaching job, but Wilson was never on board.

Schottenheimer worked previously with G.M. Buddy Nix, and publicly soft-pedaled his interest in the gig. But his experience with Nix didn't matter because Wilson "wasn't comfortable" with Schottenheimer.

The news helps to explain why Marty's son Brian turned down a chance to interview. But it's unlikely to calm the anger of Bills fans or change the perception that Chan Gailey was a fallback choice.

Bills fans would probably prefer a coach with Schottenheimer's track record if the team was looking for someone with head coaching experience.

Bills shoulda taken Martyball if the other option was Gailey. Awful.

[larrymcg421]

Because the rest of the AFC East was already sooooooooo worried about the Bills... :(

We would've been worried about them if Cowher was hired.

[larrymcg421]

Haha, they passed on Marty to go for Gailey?

[boberot]

I'm going to rename this thread:

Buddy Nix + Chan Gailey = Dynasty



I have to joke, so I can barely choke down the disgust.

[RendeR]

But first off, they need to shitcan those jerseys, as they look like some sort of minor league team out there.


This coming from a fan of a team whose uniform is more suited to a college team than a professional one? Bold. Stupid, but bold.

[boberot]

Nah, Bills unis really suck. As much as I love the throwbacks, the "new" ones are just godawful.

[cuervo72]

Seriously...those Bills unis are horrible. The throwbacks on the other hand are very nice.

[stevew]

This coming from a fan of a team whose uniform is more suited to a college team than a professional one? Bold. Stupid, but bold.

Zubaz went out of style in 1992, perhaps Mike Brown should get the memo?

[stevew]

Seriously...those Bills unis are horrible. The throwbacks on the other hand are very nice.

exactly. Just keep the throwbacks, or if you really have to, go with the old school buffalo on the orange helmet. And then the classic throwback top.

[Cringer]

I am pretty certain that in three years the next coach of the Bills will be Mike Tice. Jauron followed by Chan Gailey, very odd choices to me.

[RainMaker]

Seriously...those Bills unis are horrible. The throwbacks on the other hand are very nice.
The throwbacks are better on just about every team that wore them this year.

Jets, Patriots, Chargers, and even the Raiders should stick with them. Love the Broncos old uniforms in the Elway era and the Falcons red helmets. Only throwback that is bad is the Tampa ones and I'd even take that for pure comedy.

[MrDNA]

Getting more off topic, but it seems like to many (most?) sportsfans (and myself included here) throwbacks>current unis. Why is that? Nostalgia? It's not even teams I necessarily root for that I feel have better throwbacks, I just like the style in general so it's not like I'm hearkening back to the "glory days" or anything.

[Abe Sargent]

Report: Ralph Wilson nixed potential return of Martyball
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 19, 2010 5:49 PM ET
Bills owner Ralph Wilson's affinity of football men of a certain age has its limits.

Tim Graham of ESPN reports that Marty Schottenheimer "badly" wanted the Bills coaching job, but Wilson was never on board.

Schottenheimer worked previously with G.M. Buddy Nix, and publicly soft-pedaled his interest in the gig. But his experience with Nix didn't matter because Wilson "wasn't comfortable" with Schottenheimer.

The news helps to explain why Marty's son Brian turned down a chance to interview. But it's unlikely to calm the anger of Bills fans or change the perception that Chan Gailey was a fallback choice.

Bills fans would probably prefer a coach with Schottenheimer's track record if the team was looking for someone with head coaching experience.

Bills shoulda taken Martyball if the other option was Gailey. Awful.



Stupid choice. I would take Marty in a heartflash over CHAN GAILEY

[RendeR]

Don't look my way. I think 99% of throwbacks should be. Thrown back that is.

The bills standing cow on white is disgusting, even Bills fans say that here. Unless you lived then its fucking horrible.

As for other teams throwbacks I've seen very few I liked. Atlanta's red helmets are a definite winner though. Loved those.

And anyone that says they don't adore those old Bucs Creamsicles is a LYING WHOREBAG!

[Big Fo]

Because the rest of the AFC East was already sooooooooo worried about the Bills... :(

Good point. But the Gailey hire should ensure that this remains the case for a few more years.

[RendeR]

Good point. But the Gailey hire should ensure that this remains the case for a few more years.


I told Telle, "Just assume you'll be dead last for the next 2-3 years and then if yer not, BONUS!"



She didn't speak to me for about an hour....

[boberot]

*this is not a bad take on the hire. *

Don't fret Bills fans, Chan Gailey's resume speaks for itself
Mike Florio


Once upon a time, Chan Gailey occupied a spot near the top of the "A" list for NFL head-coaching candidates.

He was running the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, a hard-nosed attack with a penchant for trick plays and, as of 1995, one of the first Wildcat-type looks, with rookie Kordell Stewart taking periodic snaps en route to a Super Bowl berth.

In four seasons with Gailey on the staff, the Steelers qualified for the playoffs four times.

Chan Gailey is introduced as the Bills' new head coach Tuesday.
Eventually, Gailey got his shot at running a team, with the Cowboys. But two playoff appearances and no playoff wins weren't good enough for Jerry Jones, and he was bounced after two years.

Gailey landed in Miami as the offensive coordinator, where, despite the retirement of quarterback Dan Marino and the departure of coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins went to the playoffs in each of the two seasons Gailey was there.

And that opened the door for Gailey at Georgia Tech, where in six years as head coach, Gailey's teams qualified for a bowl bid six times. Unfortunately, he could never beat Georgia, and he eventually was fired following a 7-5 season.

Gailey's 14-year string of postseason play ended the next year, when he agreed to become offensive coordinator of the Chiefs. But without much talent to work with, Gailey quickly became a forgotten man. And when Herm Edwards was fired and Todd Haley arrived, Haley initially decided to keep Gailey around. Then, only days before the start of the 2009 season, Gailey was demoted, reassigned, and forgotten again.

Forgotten, that is, until his former boss in Pittsburgh recommended Gailey to the Bills. It wasn't the first time Bill Cowher had gone to bat for Gailey. In 2007, nearly a decade after Gailey had left Pittsburgh, Cowher submitted one name to the Rooneys as he was leaving the job.

Chan Gailey.

With other candidates not interested and with the Bills wanting an offensive specialist and a guy with head-coaching experience, Buffalo has decided to entrust the franchise to Gailey.

Not Brian Billick, who possesses both of those primary qualifications and a certain piece of finger jewelry that only Super Bowl winners receive. But Chan Gailey.

Bills' fans aren't happy, in large part because Gailey has become largely anonymous after one year of bad football and another year of semi-exile in Kansas City. But it doesn't mean the guy suddenly can't coach.

Who comes up with the "A" list of NFL head-coaching candidates, anyway? It's devised largely -- if not exclusively -- by the media, based on input from league insiders, some of whom are influenced by what other members of the media are saying.

And when one or more of the candidates are working in the media, it's a lot easier for the candidate to continue to be mentioned for jobs.

So with this year's short stack composed of guys like Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and Jon Gruden, with only one of them returning to coaching, it's no shock the Bills dug a little deeper -- especially since many of the assistant coaches from playoff teams weren't interested in the job.

On one hand, the decision of the Bills not to leak word of Gailey's candidacy blocked a billboards-and-blogosphere revolt from fans before he could be hired. On the other hand, the backlash surely is coming.

Before Bills fans go bonkos, however, it would be wise to take a broader view.

As mentioned above, Gailey's teams qualified for postseason play in 14 straight seasons. That's a streak four years longer than Buffalo's current playoff drought.

Plus, Gailey succeeded with quarterbacks like Neil O'Donnell, Mike Tomczak, Stewart, and Jay Fiedler. And while Gailey had it easy in Dallas with Troy Aikman as the signal-caller, can any non-Ramblin' Wreck aficionado think of the name of one quarterback with whom Gailey made it to six straight bowl games?

So the guy has been successful and, more importantly, he wants to be in Buffalo. Combining those realities with the official Bill Cowher spittle-secured seal of approval, Bills fans should be feeling right now a few emotions that don't involve gloom and/or doom.

Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Check out PFT for up-to-the minute NFL news.

[Apathetic Lurker]

I have changed my mind..Gailey is better than some of the candidates bandied around and worse than some of them..I'm willing to give him some time. Let's see what he can do in Buffalo.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I have changed my mind..Gailey is better than some of the candidates bandied around and worse than some of them..I'm willing to give him some time. Let's see what he can do in Buffalo.

Hey, if you aspire to mediocrity, he might be just the guy.

[Apathetic Lurker]

Hey, if you aspire to mediocrity, he might be just the guy.

If all your first choices dont want to be there you really have no choice.

Who knows, maybe Ralphie boy has some serious issues with Marty from the time Marty played here....Personally thats why I think he wasnt invited.
Who did you have in mind after the so-called "A" listers declined?

Marve Levy wasnt exactly a super coach in Montreal and KC before coaching the Bills

[Kodos]

The Red Falcons unis from the 80s were the best uniform of all time. Love the classic Falcon logo, hate the new one.

[bulletsponge]

Hey, if you aspire to mediocrity, he might be just the guy.

mediocrity would be a step in the right direction for the Bills

[boberot]

mediocrity would be a step in the right direction for the Bills

bullet, I take umbrage with that statement.

We have been PLENTY mediocre, thank you very much.

Isn't 7-9, 7-9, 7-9, 6-10 the very definition of mediocrity?!

[Apathetic Lurker]

bullet, I take umbrage with that statement.

We have been PLENTY mediocre, thank you very much.

Isn't 7-9, 7-9, 7-9, 6-10 the very definition of mediocrity?!

As a Bill's fan I say NAY.... Mediocrity is 8-8... we are sub-mediocre. At least we arent the Lions......

[Cringer]

I have changed my mind..Gailey is better than some of the candidates bandied around and worse than some of them..I'm willing to give him some time. Let's see what he can do in Buffalo.

The guy has been hired, that is really all you can do at this point. I didn't like the Mile McCarthy hire in Green Bay at all when it happened. While I still don't love the guy he hasn't done too bad.

[Honolulu_Blue]

At least we arent the Lions......

Finally, someone with a little perspective.

[Galaxy]

The whole fuckin process was a joke. Wilson was touting change.

So what the rich bastard do?

Interviews a total of 5 Guys for both the GM position. Buddy Nix and John Guy, the two interviewers for GM position, were both already in the organziation.

The head coaches interviewed were Fewell (Bills coach), Frasier, and Chan. You fired Jauron two months ago and you're the first opening on the market.

So you don't even have interviews with Billick, Marty, Martz, and Jim Fossell (both were later to reported to be interested in the position). They didn't even talk to him. I was expecting that by hiring Nix, he would of brought in Marty and his son (to be the OC and maybe the head coach down the line). That is why hiring Nix gave me a very slight hope. Nix wanted Marty, but Ralph said no. Now that's a joke.

Basically, Wilson wanted a "yes" man and be in the control. Don't be a moron, touting wholesale changes (our drafts and free agency signings have been a joke) and you're serious in bringing a big coach, than interview just five guys (three already part of the team) and go cheap. The Bills have been running a "we don't owe you" relationship with the media in the last decade or so. Nix isn't helping.

Bottom line, it really isn't worth having the "Buffalo" Bills if you got an owner that is a cheap, control-freek. Why spend taxpayer money on the stadium and lease for that (and take away one of our games each year to Toronto, a city that has shown no interest in supporting the team and the NFL).

I mean, besides the run in the late 80's/90's, have the Bills ever really been great? I mean, Ralph fired the brain trust that put that incredible run together because they stole the show and wanted to paid fairly.

[boberot]

I'm right there with you, Galaxy.

Ralph is an egomaniacal, cheap, meddling bastard. Mr Wilson: You are 91 years old. Hire talented football people to make football decisions, and then stay the hell out of their way.

The most galling was when Ralph promised big changes, and that he was going to spend money to make a splash, and we wound up with Chan Gailey.

In this tiny market, how dare you have the balls and the hubris to name the stadium after yourself, leaving potentially hundreds of millions of dollars on the table in the form of naming rights.

And you're right, Galaxy, other than the 90s Bills and the 60s AFL Bills -- this organization has never gotten it right. Even when they did get it right, Wilson screwed it up -- sending guys like Polian and Butler packing.

He shows little gratitude or loyalty to the Bills fans who have loyally flocked to the stadium to cheer on a perennially inferior product in freezing weather year after year.

Like I posted earlier, I wish I didn't care. I'm tired of being outraged.

[Apathetic Lurker]

The whole fuckin process was a joke. Wilson was touting change.

So what the rich bastard do?

Interviews a total of 5 Guys for both the GM position. Buddy Nix and John Guy, the two interviewers for GM position, were both already in the organziation.

The head coaches interviewed were Fewell (Bills coach), Frasier, and Chan. You fired Jauron two months ago and you're the first opening on the market.

So you don't even have interviews with Billick, Marty, Martz, and Jim Fossell (both were later to reported to be interested in the position). They didn't even talk to him. I was expecting that by hiring Nix, he would of brought in Marty and his son (to be the OC and maybe the head coach down the line). That is why hiring Nix gave me a very slight hope. Nix wanted Marty, but Ralph said no. Now that's a joke.

Basically, Wilson wanted a "yes" man and be in the control. Don't be a moron, touting wholesale changes (our drafts and free agency signings have been a joke) and you're serious in bringing a big coach, than interview just five guys (three already part of the team) and go cheap. The Bills have been running a "we don't owe you" relationship with the media in the last decade or so. Nix isn't helping.

Bottom line, it really isn't worth having the "Buffalo" Bills if you got an owner that is a cheap, control-freek. Why spend taxpayer money on the stadium and lease for that (and take away one of our games each year to Toronto, a city that has shown no interest in supporting the team and the NFL).

I mean, besides the run in the late 80's/90's, have the Bills ever really been great? I mean, Ralph fired the brain trust that put that incredible run together because they stole the show and wanted to paid fairly.

They were great in the mid 60's