IRVING, Texas (AP) — 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.