Gailey

Gulfport, MS – This Chan Gailey situation is a little strange – will he or won’t he take the Jets’ offensive coordinator job. But then again, maybe it’s not strange, when you consider the landscape we are dealing with.

After Todd Bowles was hired as the Jets’ coach, the news hit quickly that Chan Gailey was going to be his offensive coordinator. It was portrayed as fait accompli.

So much so, that the Associated Press, which isn’t into rumor-mongering, and attempts to stick to the facts, had the following headline on a January 14 story – “AP source: Chan Gailey to be Jets’ offensive coordinator.”

“Chan Gailey is returning to the NFL to run the New York Jets’ offense,” wrote the AP. “The former Dallas and Buffalo head coach will be the Jets’ offensive coordinator under new coach Todd Bowles, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

“Gailey was out of football the last two seasons after being fired as the Bills’ coach after the 2012 season. But Bowles, who was hired by the Jets on Wednesday, is making him a part of his staff in New York.

“The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the hiring.”

One again, I reiterate, the AP isn’t some NFL insider throwing stuff against the wall hoping it sticks.

And when they get stories confirmed like this, it’s generally coming from a team official.

So when it came out yesterday, that this was not a slam dunk, it caught many by surprise. Most thought this was money in the bank. That is how it was being reported by most news outlets that cover the team.

“Jets’ deal with OC Chan Gailey has not gotten done, and there are questions as to whether it will, leaving Gailey and Jets’ futures uncertain,” wrote ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “Three other teams have talked to Gailey about joining their staff and he is contemplating whether to do it. He only wants to coach with the right team in the right situation. But those reports of Gailey joining the Jets were premature and Gailey said the two sides are at a crossroads.”

“Everybody made it seem like a done deal – everybody except me,” Gailey said, “but nothing’s happened yet.”

You could understand Gailey taking his time thinking about this.

The Jets’ offensive coordinator position can chew you up and spit you out.

Look at the recent history – Marty Mornhinweg, Brian Schotteinheimer, Paul Hackett and the late Mike Heimerdinger. It almost never ends well.
The media and fans in this market tend to put a bulls-eye on the back of the offensive coordinator for the Jets, a lightning rod team to start with.

Gailey knows this is likely his last job, so he doesn’t want to jump into a bad situation.

And if he talked to Marty, surely he told him to be careful.

The media drove Marty nuts in New York. It’s a tough room. Does the 63-year-old Gailey, a low-key George-native, really need this, especially if he can land a job in a mellower market?

There is so much pressure to be first on stories that it can lead to some misinformation. Welcome to the brave new world of internet journalism.

Remember when it seemed like a lock that Doug Marrone was going to coach the Jets?

And then the narrative was, “Jets targeting Dan Quinn.”

How’d those two stories work out?

But the strange part about the Gailey story is the AP confirming it, through what was likely a team official.

Clearly there was some major miscommunication here between the Gailey camp and the Jets.

Stay tuned.

January 19, 2015

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