AP News, January 14th, 2007
Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey, a Steelers assistant for four seasons in the 1990s, met with the team for three hours Saturday as the search for Bill Cowher's replacement entered its second week.
"It's a great opportunity. This is such a great organization _ it has been through the years and will continue to be," said Gailey, the fifth candidate to interview for the job. "I feel fortunate to be here and be part of the process."
Gailey also interviewed recently with the Miami Dolphins, the other NFL team he also worked for as the offensive coordinator. The Steelers previously met with two of their own assistants, Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt, plus defensive coordinators Mike Tomlin of Minnesota and Ron Rivera of Chicago.
"They do things the right way," Gailey said of the Steelers. "It was a good day."
Gailey was the Steelers' wide receivers coach for two seasons before taking over as offensive coordinator in 1996, the season after they lost to Dallas in the Super Bowl. With Gailey running the offense in 1997, Jerome Bettis ran for 1,665 yards _ his best season _ and Kordell Stewart threw for 3,020 yards and 21 touchdowns in his first season as a starting quarterback. Stewart also ran for 476 yards and 11 touchdowns.
A year later, after Gailey left to coach the Dallas Cowboys, Stewart experienced a sharp drop-off in his play with Ray Sherman running the offense, throwing for only 2,560 yards, 11 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Steelers went 7-9, lost their final five games and were held to 21 TD on offense, the second fewest in the league.
Gailey took the Cowboys to the playoffs twice in his only two seasons there and had an 18-14 regular-season record. After that, he was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator for coach Dave Wannstedt, who now coaches Pitt.
Gailey recently completed the first season of a five-year, $5 million contract extension at Georgia Tech that runs through 2010. The 55-year-old Gailey had a heart attack in early 2005, but returned to coach the last two seasons and has a 37-27 record.
