BY NICK ST. DENIS
This one was a gimme.
After three seasons in which the Buffalo Bills went a combined 16-32, the Bills fired head coach Chan Gailey Monday morning. In addition, every member of the coaching staff was relieved of their respective duties.
"The first thing I want to say is thanks to the Bills organization, to Buddy (Nix) and Mr. Wilson for the opportunity," Gailey said Monday. "I understand this is a business. We didn’t get the job done. I’ve been called two other times to turn things around, was able to do it. I wasn’t able to get this one done soon enough, and I understand that completely."
In Gailey's three seasons leading the Bills, Buffalo was outscored 1,294 to 999, a minus-295 differential. He also extended the Bills' playoff drought to 13 years despite very high hopes entering the season.
Maybe Gailey's biggest misstep, however, was the mismanagement of his running back situation. C.J. Spiller has the potential to be one of the best, as in a top-three, tailback in the NFL, yet Gailey refused to give him ample touches, mostly due to the presence of Fred Jackson.
Also, Gailey failed to coach up the handful of quarterback he brought in to back up Ryan Fitzpatrick, who probably could've been benched a few times.
"I want to thank the fans. Great Buffalo fans, a great football town," Gailey said. "These are loyal, loyal fans and I understand that. I think that the next staff will have a great opportunity for success and to make this another great football franchise.
This will probably be, and I say probably, but I think it will be the first place that’s ever fired me that I’ll pull for. Thank you."
Follow Nick @NickStDenis
Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
