Chan Gailey Named Bills New Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator

ESPN’s Tim Graham reports that sources close to Marty Schottenheimer say the ex-Browns, Chiefs, Redskins and Chargers coach had a “strong desire” to coach Buffalo, a franchise he played for in the 1960s. While Marty Schottenheimer is close with Bills GM Buddy Nix due to their days working together in San Diego, Buffalo’s owner Ralph Wilson apparently “wasn’t comfortable” with Schottenheimer.

Marty Schottenheimer has been out of coaching for three years, after getting the ax in San Diego following a disappointing home loss in the divisional round to the Patriots. He has a 200-126-1 regular season record, but has seen his teams consistently come up in short in the playoffs, to the tune of a 5-13 record.

The Bills held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to officially introduce Chan Gailey as the team’s new head coach. It’s a confusing decision that most Bills fans seem displeased with, but don’t worry Buffalo: GM Buddy Nix knows exactly what he’s doing:

Gailey will also be the team’s offensive coordinator, a position he previously held with the Broncos, Cowboys, Steelers and Dolphins.

Capping an unexpected turn in their coaching search, the Buffalo Bills are expected to announce Chan Gailey as their new head coach at a 2PM ET press conference today, according to reports from ESPN.

Gailey’s apparent hiring marks the end of what SB Nation’s resident Bills blogger Brian Galliford called a “twisting and arduous head coaching search” that included numerous assistant coaches around the league declining to even interview with Buffalo. ESPN reports that the Bills zeroed in on Gailey not only because of his previous head coaching experience and offensive expertise, but also because Bill Cowher, who the Bills doggedly pursued, recommended him to the team.

In a rather stunning development, former Cowboys and Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey has emerged as a “strong candidate” to be the Buffalo Bills’ next head coach, according to The Buffalo News.

For more on the Buffalo Bills, head over to SB Nation’s Buffalo Rumblings.

And then were three. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has informed the Bills that he will not interview them for their vacant head coaching spot either this week or after the season.

With Schottenheimer out of the picture, the Bills are left with three coaches they have either already or asked to inteview. Buffalo has spoken with interim head coach and Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, as well as requesting an interview with Cardinals offensive line coach Russ Grimm.

The Buffalo Bills have requested permission to interview Arizona Cardinals’ assistant head coach and offensive line coach Russ Grimm as well as and New York Jets’ offensive coordinator Brain Schottenheimer for their head coaching vacancy.

Whether either actually interviews for the position remains to be seen as both seem content where they are now.

Fewell led the Bills to a 3-4 record as head coach, including a Week 17 win over the Colts’ back-up players.

For reaction from Bills fans, head over to SB Nation’s Buffalo Rumblings.

The firing comes on the heels of a 41-17 loss to the Titans, which you may recall prompted Titans owner Bud Adams to flick off Buffalo’s inept sideline.

Jauron ends his four-year tenure in Buffalo with a 24-33 record and zero playoff appearances. No wonder the guys at SB Nation’s Buffalo Rumblings are pleased with the decision.