The Buffalo Bills hired their 15th head coach today, naming former Dallas Cowboys boss Chan Gailey as their new head man.

It has been a roller coaster ride for fans of this franchise ever since their voices were heard (see Billboard #1) when owner Ralph Wilson fired Dick Jauron during the season. This looked like an opportunity for the Bills to get a head start in their search for the next head coach. But Wilson promised that some more work had to be done in the front office first.

Russ Brandon had taken on the reins of general manager the past few seasons following the departure of former head coach/general manager Marv Levy. Although a very talented marketing man, Brandon is not considered a “football” guy. Although, he did know what moves to make for this franchise to get people in the stands (i.e. Terrell Owens signing). This was a hard task for Brandon considering the Bills haven’t made a playoff run in the past 10 seasons. But, he was able to succeed considering the Bills once again sold out again this season at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Wilson vowed that there would be changes made to the whole operations department after the Jauron firing, but most of us have yet to see them.

The Bills surprised the NFL community when they promoted from within, hiring long-time scout Buddy Nix as their next general manager. Most people thought when Wilson said he was going to clean house, that that didn’t mean promotions. I guess not. Russ Brandon also received a promotion to CEO, a pretty good jump from a marketing guy to a general manager to a CEO, all on a bad football team.

But when it came to finding a head coach, the Bills had an even tougher time – in some ways. The Bills were reportedly turned down several times when asking for an interview with a possible coach. Here are a few names reportedly on that list in case you were hiding in a hole somewhere the past few weeks: Jon Gruden, Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, Marty Schottenheimer, Charlie Weis, Brian Schottenheimer, Russ Grimm, and the latest, Jim Harbaugh. But out of the blue on Tuesday afternoon, the Bills claimed they got “their” man. His name ladies and gentlemen, is Chan Gailey.

Gailey has been in coaching, both in the collegiate ranks and the NFL, for the past 35 years. He was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in (1998-1999), when his team made the playoffs in both seasons. Gailey also has been an offensive coordinator in Denver (1989-90), Pittsburgh (1996-97), Miami (2000-01) and Kansas City (2008). He also was the head coach of Georgia Tech (2002-2007). Looking at that resume, it looks like a perfect fit for what Nix was looking for in a new head coach. The problem is, how is he going to sell him to the impatient Bills fans? Good luck. Could be a tough task.

Most fans are now asking, “Why do we continue to support a team that doesn’t give anything back to its loyal fan base?” Well, here is the best way I can spin it for you. It all comes down to availability. If all those reports were accurate about every one of those “A-list” coaches turning the Bills down, then what were they supposed to do? Nix said at his introductory press conference that he wanted a head coach with experience and one that is a great teacher; and he gets that with Gailey, and he’s not the only one who thinks so. Let’s take a look at what some respected NFL people have said about Gailey in reference to their time working with him.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher on Gailey: “Of all the coordinators that I’ve had work for me, Chan Gailey was, if not the best, one of the best, and as resourceful an offensive mind that I’ve been around. Moreover, his teaching skills are second to none.”

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt on Gailey: “I’ve known Chan Gailey for a very long time and he ranks among the finest people and professionals I’ve ever worked with. He is a first-class individual who knows how to achieve success at the highest levels. Chan’s intelligence, experience and exceptional knowledge of the game will be major assets for the Buffalo Bills.”

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on his regret in firing Gailey before the 2000 season: "I regret just giving Chan [Gailey] two years. When you really look at what he's done since he's left here and look at what he had done here – he took us to the playoffs twice. And I'm not talking about the fairness of it. I'm just talking about how I should have worked hard on some things where we could've made adjustments that were meaningful."

All these men are very well respected in the NFL, and their words should not be taken lightly. I personally will take what they say into consideration when analyzing this hire and give Gailey the benefit of a doubt. I believe he deserves it, considering the guy hasn’t even been the head coach for more than a few hours. Hopefully fans of the team will realize this too and that they are fans of the Bills, not just some of the coaches or some of the players.

Gailey needs to win over the fans by going out and hiring a top-notch staff, bringing in free agents that fill the team’s needs, and let Nix take care of the draft for years to come. In my opinion, this will all happen sooner rather than later, and Bills fans will start to accept him as the coach who turned this team around.

In the NFL, wins are the most important statistic; and I think the Bills are already up 1-0.

TERRY LONG