Bowles gets his man: Jets hire Chan Gailey as O-coordinator
By Brian Costello
New Jets coach Todd Bowles landed the man he wants to run his offense.
The Jets officially hired Chan Gailey as the team’s new offensive coordinator Tuesday after days of speculation and then some doubts that he would get the job.
Gailey, 63, is the fourth offensive coordinator in five years for the Jets, taking over the post Marty Mornhinweg held under former coach Rex Ryan for the past two seasons.
Bowles, who is a defensive coach, targeted Gailey from the moment he was hired, but the former head coach of the Bills and Cowboys had other offers and was mulling his options. A report surfaced Monday a deal might not get done, but that looks like it was posturing during negotiations.
Gailey has been out of football for two years after serving as Bills head coach from 2010-12, when he went 16-32. His offenses finished 25th, 14th and 19th overall during his time there.
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New Jets coach Todd Bowles
Photo: AP
The Jets surely were attracted by luring an experienced offensive coordinator to help Bowles, a first-time head coach. Gailey has been the offensive coordinator for the Broncos (1989-90), Steelers (1997), Dolphins (2000-01) and Chiefs (2008). In addition to the Bills, he was also the head coach of the Cowboys (1998-99) and at Georgia Tech (2002-07).
In 10 seasons as a coordinator and head coach , Gailey has had only two top-10 offenses — the 1997 Steelers and 1998 Cowboys. But, to be fair, he has not had a lot to work with at the quarterback position. He has coached Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak, Troy Aikman at the end of his career, Jay Fiedler, Tyler Thigpen and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Gailey has a reputation for getting the most out of players and adapting his offensive style to fit his personnel. Fitzpatrick played well enough under Gailey in Buffalo to land a six-year, $60 million deal. Stewart, Thigpen and Fiedler all had career years under Gailey.
The Jets finished 22nd in total offense and 32nd in passing offense in 2014. They were the No. 3 rushing team.
It will be on Gailey to fix the quarterback position that has been an annual problem for the Jets. Whether Geno Smith remains the starter will be up to Bowles, Gailey and new general manager Mike Maccagnan. If they target veterans, Fitzpatrick may be available. It is unclear if the Texans are ready to move on from him, but a reunion with Gailey would make sense if they do.
Another player who thrived under Gailey in Buffalo and could want to reunite is running back C.J. Spiller, who is scheduled to be a free agent in March. He rushed for 1,244 yards in 2012, but has not had the same success since Gailey left.
