Sports Columnists

By Vic

January 14, 2007 06:54 PM | Link to this

No doubt that the biggest strikes against Gailey is that he has never beaten Georgia and his continued use of Reggie Ball. The sad thing is that once Gailey finally gets a good recruiting class all the NFL teams come calling. My concern with losing Gailey is the loss in recruiting and finding his replacement so close to signing day. I think Gailey was slowly developing into a better coach and would not mind if he stayed, but would not be heart broken if he left. I just wish this would play out so Ga. Tech Football can move on.

By Ernest

January 14, 2007 06:58 PM | Link to this

This is a tough one, especially for the football players and recruits involved. While Gailey has won, he never won the ‘big’ game. We know we can’t recruit the kind of players that UGA can but it is important to ‘coach up’ the ones we do have. This is not meant to take anything away from the fine football players and recruits we have. I think Gailey has done that.

I know I’ll be glad when this is all behind us.

By T

January 14, 2007 07:02 PM | Link to this

I dont blame Gailey if he leaves, and I can think of 4 or 5 million reasons why he would. Gailey has done more at Tech than he is given credit for doing. O’Leary left the program in worse shape than most think, and the administration at Tech is not a friend to athletics. I hope he stays, and I hope some influential people open their eyes.

By Ernest

January 14, 2007 07:03 PM | Link to this

I should be clear, I think Gailey has coached up the football players and recruits we have. I also believe in this ‘post Reggie Ball’ era, we we see a different Ga. Tech team.

By ZGOLDATOWN

January 14, 2007 07:07 PM | Link to this

I appreciate everything Chan has done the last 5 seasons, but i hope he leaves. I feel that Tech’s best chance to be a consistent winner is by promoting Jon Tenuta to head coach. If we lose another great assistant (Ralph Friedgen) it will be a big shame. The only thing holding Tech back the last few years has been coaching. Reggie has had an impact, but it is the coach calling the plays, and until this year that was chan. I love Georgia Tech and will support them under any circumstance but lets hope we can part ways with Chan gracefully, let Tenuta step in and hold on to this great recruiting class that we have on the way. No need to have a coaching search excpet for a new offensive coordinator. Go Jackets, fight, win, drink, get naked

By Steve

January 14, 2007 07:08 PM | Link to this

Who could Tech think they can get as a head coach who would do a better job?

By buzz is wiser

January 14, 2007 07:11 PM | Link to this

Mark you know Im really not a big fan of the AJC staff but you are a pretty smart guy, and I good reporter notices the obvious, that being we want Chan gone. Personally I’ve wanted him gone ever since we lost to DUKE. He’s just not a popular guy, I’m tired of getting that phone call from a friend on the Saturday after thanksgiving after we find another way to loss to Georgia. Its best that Chan leaves and he knew he was unpopular that’s why he allowed Reggie to fail his classes, Chan knew he was failing but after there was no way Reggie was not going to be the quaterback in the ACC championship to its a possibility after another horrible performance by Reggie. We need a new coach, the class coming in looks like the best ever and I don’t think Chan can coach them up. Jimbo Fisher, if he comes I believe he can make us a national power my only hope is that if we do get a new coach Tenuta has to stay. But Chan PLEASE LEAVE

By No Chan Fan

January 14, 2007 07:15 PM | Link to this

The reason I, and so many others, don’t think Coach Gailey is a very good college coach is his handling of his players. Most recently he demonstrated this with his decision to stay with Ball through so many bad games. But it started in his first season when he put Tony Hollings back into the Wake game when we were well in control and after Hollings had to be helped off the field earlier in the game with a knee injury. Hollings subsequently blew his knee out in the 4th quarter and missed the rest of the season after starting out leading the country in rushing. Then there’s Kelly Rhino who Gailey put in against Duke even though the kid had to hobble onto the field on one leg because of a worsening sprain. Rhino further injured himself so badly that he missed his last game against Georgia. And this was a kid who was the heart of the team for 4 years and had to miss his last game against Georgia because his coach put him back in the Duke game when he could hardly walk.

That’s the kind of bone headed stunts that Gailey has pulled that makes me hope he moves on to Miami. And I didn’t even mention the three seniors who flunked out this fall.

I could support a lesser coach who doesn’t make obvious stupid decisions.

By Glorydays!

January 14, 2007 07:16 PM | Link to this

Gailey managed to led Tech from a 9-1 to 9-5 season. Losing the most important last 3 games by 3 points, sticking to a QB who was out of sync’ after the VaTech game, blowing a huge lead against WVa in the Gators Bowl..Do you want more? After the horrible game against WF, o-tone Chan: I did not prepare my players well enough.. Chan you are paid 1 million $/year, better have them ready!! GA Tech needs a fresh start, GO Jackets!!

By Jason

January 14, 2007 07:30 PM | Link to this

A very good column that hits the nail on the head. The only question is, any chance Tech goes after George O’Leary?

By D

January 14, 2007 07:30 PM | Link to this

Dan,

Promote Jon Tenuta! Let’s not go backwards in recruiting. Chan is obviously not secure in his future here at Tech.

By Russell

January 14, 2007 07:32 PM | Link to this

With the more stringent academic requirements Coach Gailey has to work with, and his commitment to making his players better people, I can’t think of a finer person to coach the Jackets.

The grass is not always greener. It is entirely possible (and my fervent hope), that Coach Gailey interviewed with the Steelers and Dolphins only as a favor to both organizations so that each may better measure other applicants.

Coach Gailey’s loyalty to Reggie Ball may be seen by some as pig-headedness, but I believe in loyalty up/loyalty down. He’s a wonderful coach and a quality person. GT is lucky to have him.

By Louis Vales

January 14, 2007 07:34 PM | Link to this

One thing Dog fans never have to fret about is Richt to the NFL. You think NFL may have figured out Marky Mark is all about the recruiting and even with studs from a fertile area—He Still Can’t Get It Done!!!

Ah, Stability—Even if borne from a lack of interest by NFL>

By Russell

January 14, 2007 07:35 PM | Link to this

My money says Coach Gailey interviewed with the Steelers and Dolphins as a favor to those teams so each could better measure other applicants.

Coach Gailey is a great coach and a fine person. GT is lucky to have him.

Coach, if I’m wrong about the first part, please don’t go. Tech is a better place with you there.

By Bunger Henry

January 14, 2007 07:45 PM | Link to this

Georgia Tech has not improved under Gailey. We have never finished a season ranked. We have never beaten Georgia. We did both under O’Leary. We went to the ACC Championship Game in a significantly down year for the ACC, in which the 2 major powers, FSU and Miami were no better than middle tier ACC teams. Under O’Leary we won a share of the ACC Championship in a year FSU was very good. Gailey has made no progress and should have been gone long ago.

He should have been fired after the 51-7 blowout loss to Georgia. And he has never really improved since that first mediocre season. Yet we have continued to hang on to this pretender for years, much to our shame. It will be a fine day on the Flats and cause for much celebration when he leaves. I wouldn’t be surprised if the goalposts get torn down in Bobby Dodd Stadium the day he announces he’s gone.

By Jack

January 14, 2007 07:50 PM | Link to this

RELAX——GAILEY IS GOING NOWHERE. HE WILL BE AT TECH THRU THE REMAINDER OF HIS CONTRACT. LIKE IT OR NOT, THATS THE WAY ITS GOING TO BE.

By BWH Dawg

January 14, 2007 07:51 PM | Link to this

What a sad, pathetic program GT is. It is nothing more than a stepping stone for everyone that visits because no coach or adminstrator stays when given the opportunity to leave. Chan will leave and whoever GT brings in will eventually leave as well if he is worth anything. I don’t know why GT holds Tenuta in such high regard, but I hope he gets the job so UGA can continue to wear him out. GT’s new AD Radakovich will hit the road too when Skip Bertman at LSU retires.

I look forward to making it 7 in a row next year.

By chuck e

January 14, 2007 07:52 PM | Link to this

I wish Chan all the best. He has been a good caretaker since O’Leary. That said, we all want more than a caretaker. We want a leader that can both motivate and lead the Jackets beyond mediocrity AND can beat Georgia. I would be ok with Tenuta being promoted however the thought of a Jimbo Fisher offense at Tech would be real exciting.

By buzzy bee

January 14, 2007 07:52 PM | Link to this

I hope Chan leaves!! He has never embraced our “tickle piles”. We need someone who will get in there and tickle plus someone who won’t get mad when he gets tickled!!!

By gjg

January 14, 2007 07:54 PM | Link to this

Too lose both Reggie Ball and Coach Chan in the same year would be very sad….for ALL bulldog fans!

By dj

January 14, 2007 07:56 PM | Link to this

This man has overcome a complete disaster of Administration support - Flunkgate, Probation for administration lack of doing their job, etc. - Improved every year … this year led team to best ACC regular season record, ACCCG … - Nothing but support from his players … - Strong faith and family values … shows up in Sunday School even after most away games … - Best recruiting job in ACC, top ten nationally this year … - Respect from two of the storied NFL Franchises to the point that he is on short list even though he did not seek it!

Chan has earned the right to listen when two of the top organizations in his life’s profession come to talk about completing his career with them and more than tripling his income.

By Jackets Are Ghey

January 14, 2007 07:58 PM | Link to this

THE YELLOW BELLIES WILL NEVER BEAT THE UNSTOPPABLE COACH RICHT! THEY ARE A SCHOOL FULL OF NERDS AND THEY STINK! TELL REGGIE BALL WE’RE GOING TO MISS HIM.

HAHAHAHAHA

By Tech Fan

January 14, 2007 08:08 PM | Link to this

It’s sad that Taz Anderson’s ego allows him to lead the charge in running off Gailey just because he was not given the “attention” he thought he deserved from the head coach. Taz just write the check and shut up!

By BigEd

January 14, 2007 08:26 PM | Link to this

I totally supported Chan Gailey until this season. He stuck wilh Reggie Ball to the detriment of the team. He made comments like “I don’t care what the fans say.” Simple fact is you either care what the fans say or you should get out of Dodge. The fans were totally disgusted with Reggie Ball and his total ineptness at throwing the ball to the best wide reciever in the country. Everyone noticed except Chan. I hope someone picks him or he just decides to leave. We sure don’t need a lame duck head coach.

By john

January 14, 2007 08:36 PM | Link to this

Weekly bashing of Ga Tech by ignorant trailer-trash Georgia fans….check.

By JackeTexan

January 14, 2007 08:42 PM | Link to this

I think the strangest part about Gailey’s coaching tenure is how people are rewriting the history of Tech football before he arrived. O’Leary was a good coach, but don’t everybody fool themselves, our teams were never all that good. Yes, we beat Georgia a few times with O’Leary, but he could never beat FSU, and there were always other bone-headed losses that we had with him as well.

Gailey has formed great teams with better players than we have had in a long time (Hamilton being the exception). Somebody please tell me the last time when we have had to worry about whether or not players would return for their senior seasons. When Miami and VT entered the conference, many people said that we would never beat them. Now, not only have we beaten both of them, we have beaten both of them in the same season.

GT is stronger on both sides of the ball than they have been for a long time. If Gailey leaves, it will be a long time before they are this strong again.

By Ramblin_Wreck

January 14, 2007 08:43 PM | Link to this

“THEY STINK”

spoken like a true product of incest…I mean UGA fan

By Mal

January 14, 2007 08:44 PM | Link to this

I appreciate the work Coach Gailey has done and, I hope, will continue to to.

I don’t appreciate all the Tech Gailey detractors who wouldn’t be satisfied unless Tech won every game every year which just won’t happen.

I detest the Dawg fans that use this to toot their horns when they couldn’t meet Tech standards if their lives depended on it!

By Glenn Florence

January 14, 2007 08:46 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe there are that many people in Georgia (other than UGA fans), that does’t want Gailey gone?. We need to assess “Bland Gailey, simply on his statments!, I believe mediocrity is OK, I will never play anyone but Reggie Ball, …If it talks like an idiot, walks like an idiot, it must be an idiot!!!Does anyone, except maybe Bill Lewis want to keep Gailey, Bill is beginning to look good !.

By TechFan

January 14, 2007 08:46 PM | Link to this

Hire Jimbo Fisher, and pray that the commited recuits come to Tech!

By TSC

January 14, 2007 08:50 PM | Link to this

You are so right Mark. Most Tech fans who know anything about football want Gailey gone. As long as he is the coach we will never do three things. We will never win the ACC, we will never finish a season in the top 25, and we will never beat the dogs. These are the main reasons I want Gailey and his uninspired offense gone from the flats.

By Tim

January 14, 2007 09:01 PM | Link to this

You are so right Mark. Most knowledgeable fans want Gailey gone.As long as he is the Tech coach we will always have an uninspired offense. We will never win an ACC title. We will never finish a season in the top 25. Last but not least we will NEVER beat the dogs. These are the main reasons I want Gailey gone from the flats.

By GTguy

January 14, 2007 09:03 PM | Link to this

Chan Gailey has accomplished much at GT while doing it the right way.To say he has not been embraced by the GT faithful is far from the truth. He definitely has his detractors who wouldn’t support him if he was the second coming of Dodd. Tenuta is a good DC, but will never be a good Head Coach. Gailey is looking at the NFL because he realizes he could walk on water but would be hated because his feet got wet. After he is gone, the detractors will see what GT has lost.

By Jackets Are Ghey

January 14, 2007 09:08 PM | Link to this

YOU NERDS ARE JUST JEALOUS! ENJOY TYPING ON YOUR CALCULATORS WHILE WE WIN! MAYBE YOU CAN HIRE THE LYING, DRUNK MICK O’LEARY AGAIN. HE CAN CHEAT AND MAYBE WIN ONE AGAINST UGA IN THE FUTURE.

HAHAHAHAHAHA

By GTGold

January 14, 2007 09:09 PM | Link to this

Chan has been riding Tenuta’s coattails ever since he got here. Let’s hope he gets hired by Miami or Pitt soon so we can move forward without this black cloud that has been hovering over Bobby Dodd Stadium. To discuss Tech football further join us at: http://www.bbuzzoff.com

By bamayellowjacket

January 14, 2007 09:12 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley, I don’t believe you’ve ever cared to listen to anyone who supported coach Gailey! Over the years since his hiring, you can only seem to hear and write negative comments

By suwannoochee

January 14, 2007 09:18 PM | Link to this

I have no doubt Chan Gailey is a fine and decent man. But I have to agree with many other posts that his unyielding loyalty to Reggie Ball is just the worst of his shortcomings. After watching Taylor Bennett in the Gator Bowl, I actually felt sick at the idea of what could have been during the Calvin Johnson era. After giving Chan the benefit of the doubt for all these years, I just didn’t have the stomach to do so any longer. If Chan leaves, I think Tenuta would be a solid choice, but Fisher would be an outstanding one. In any event, I would hate to see Tenuda leave, although it’s probably only a matter of time before that happens whether is defensive or head coach of GT at the time. As for dj’s post, I really hate to get political here, but I have to say you know you’re still in a Dixie backwater when Sunday School and college football are mentioned in the same breath.

By Chan Gailey

January 14, 2007 09:21 PM | Link to this

**I am not going anywhere until 2011 and there is nothing you sissies can do about it. I have hired Reggie Ball as my new quarterbacks coach to keep my offense consistent.

By James Ofter

January 14, 2007 09:25 PM | Link to this

Poor AJ Suggs. The quarterback that fell out of grace when Chan came to Tech in favor of the QB that Chan Recruited, Reggie Ball. I can only imagine how good he would have been his senior year. Also, I heard UGA was retiring a #1 Tech Jersey :)

By buzzcrazy

January 14, 2007 09:28 PM | Link to this

Please, chan, take an nfl job—-any job, just don’t come back! We’re tired of this boring, mediocre brand of football at Tech. Hire someone who knows how to win big games.

By buzz is wiser

January 14, 2007 09:32 PM | Link to this

All you guys that actually want Chan to stay what is it that you like about him. I’m not sure but finishing the regular season 6 and 6 every year is not an accomplishment, you sound a lot like Dave Braine. We have a good recruiting base now and winning could have us compete with UGay in the in that regards and win on a national level. We could get in the top ten in recruiting, don’t know about you but I actually want to do some real winning, anybody can get a top 10 class every year and beat up on coaches that loss to Duke ask Mark Richt.

By Ghey Dawg

January 14, 2007 09:35 PM | Link to this

Jackets are Ghey is a jealous UGA fan who I happen to know and is using this blog as a way to stay in touch with the GT program. He uses the internet to access Tech web sites and hides behind his zeal for Tech and his hidden support. Keep up the good work Jackets are Ghey and thanks again once more for entering into another Tech blog. Keep it coming. We appreciate your support and concern.

By Mr. Obvious

January 14, 2007 09:35 PM | Link to this

It is obvious why the TECH brethren wants Gailey out. You can list many good to very good qualities in the man - many of which have been stated above. But, the basic problem is that he is an idiot. And, of course, that is a problem.

By Mark

January 14, 2007 09:35 PM | Link to this

It is not hard to see that Tech fans have no love for Chan Gailey, because of the way they did not support the team in the ACC championship game and the Gator Bowl. I attended both games and was dissapointed in the turnout for both games. The Gator Bowl turnout was imabaracing. WV fans out numbered Tech fans at least 10 to 1. Tech needs a coach that can bring its fans together and give them a reason to get excited about Tech. football.

By Janis Ian

January 14, 2007 09:47 PM | Link to this

ERNEST is a Tech fan! Now I understand why he’s so full of himself! Jeez, Ernest, I wish I’d known sooner so my posts about your idiot rants would have been meaner. UGH.

By go tech

January 14, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

To: No Chan Fan You idiot, Tony Hollings got hurt in the BYU game not the Wake Forest game. I’m no Chan Gailey fan either but get your facts straight.

By Ernest

January 14, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

Janis my dear, you are back! Sorry to disappoint you but not only am I a Tech Fan but a Tech grad!

I’m REALLY beginning to think you’ve got a thing for me!

BSICS 1983 Co-op

By UGA_sux..Can't be UFL

January 14, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Georgia fans much more strong opinions regarding Gailey, than do Tech fans

Georgia fans are scared silly about this situation!

FACTS OF THE MATTER ARE

GEORGIA TECH is obviously capable of hiring better coaches than UGA…. E-mail me when/if Mark-dumbo-can’t-manage a clock-Richt gets a NFL interview!!

No NFL team is going to hire that dumb s***

And the next HC at Georgia Tech is going to be the end of Mark Richt at UGA…. You guys are going to run him out of town after you loose 3 in a row to us and…. what is it now??? 987/1000 to UF?

By Marc

January 14, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand the fans who sympathize for Chan Gailey. I think that everyone can agree that Chan has more talent than O’Leary, and his teams have performed much worse. You don’t have to rewrite history for this to be proven out. O’Leary won 8 or more games his last 4 years, and Chan finally did it this year in the weakest ACC in recent history. O’Leary left the program in very good shape talent wise. Chan either failed to develop the players that were on campus or wanted his own players to play. Ask some of the O’Leary recruits who got screwed over by Chan about it.

O’Leary’s teams did lose to some teams that they shouldn’t have, but the same could be said of Chan. In fact, one could argue that the only game that Tech should’ve lost this year was to Clemson. The rest of the games that they lost were because they were unprepared to play or bad coaching. They had the talent to win every game.

Also, to those who claim that Tech doesn’t have the talent other teams have are only making excuses. This year, Tech had as much talent on defense as any team they played against. Offensively, they had the number one player in the country at wide recever, a stout line, and a 1000 yard back. Aside from the QB (which only started because of Chan), they had more pure talent than everyone they played except Miami. Yes, Tech had MORE talent that Georgia THIS year.

By jabster

January 14, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

There’s an old song that goes “It’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it, and that’s what gets results”.

If Chan had cobbled together a 9-5 record from hard-fought wins (and losses) against better teams, that would be one thing. But when you almost choke against UNC, choke against UGA, and choke against WF—all winnable games—that changes things. And that’s just this year. What about the Emerald Bowl? What about UGA the last three years?

Would I like to see stability in coaching to help recruiting and provide continuity? Of course. Would I like to see a good Christian man in the job? Of course. But if someone’s not going to git-er-done and punch it home, if someone’s going to make flagrantly questionable decisions about who to play, it really calls that someone into question.

Dave NoBraine certainly didn’t help matters with his mediocrity comments, and Reggie (whose middle name is the same as the last name of the coach Who Shall Not Be Mentioned) may go down in Tech history as a coach-killer. In a way, I was looking forward to see how Chan would do without him. We shall see…

By Bob

January 14, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

My God, I read the first few blogs and they actually contain correct spelling and sentence structure. I’ve never seen this level of literacy in Falcons or UGA commentaries. I’m impressed!

By statelinejacket

January 14, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

I tried to be fair with Coach Gailey when he gave up the OC and recruiting turned around…..I was very strongly anti-chan up to that moment…..but he kept his wagon hitched to Reggie Ball. A irrefutably idiotic decision…..It cost him what support I and many others had for him. The sooner he goes the better.

By mtraininjax

January 14, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

To all the knuckleheads who want him to leave, days before NATIONAL SIGNING DAY, I say, you are idiots or worse, UGAg fans. 9 Wins is a big step, Gailey gets the program, we should have beaten UGAg the last 2 years, no question, RB is gone, let that DAWG lie. Gailey would be a huge loss for the team and the direction at Tech.

By Hooper

January 14, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

Keep dreaming…Jimbo Fisher has the OC job at FSU and probably the Head Job there in 1 or 2 years. Why would Jimbo come to a school that don’t have the facilities that FSU has and never will. You guys are so funny….but looks don’t count

By GW

January 14, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Yes, I am a Georgia fan. I read Tech blogs just to see how long they can go without mentioning how brilliant they are in the classroom or Florida and/or LSU. Not long! It never has anything to do with the topic but they always bring it up. Georgia could care less who Tech’s coach or QB is or how high Reggie Ball’s GPA is.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Chan Gailey’s problem wasn’t hitching himself to Reggie Ball as much as failing to make him better. Reggie wasn’t great, but he definitely could have become more reliable over the course of his career with better coaching.

One thing a lot of GT fans don’t realize is that 80% of college coaching is recruiting, and Chan Gailey does a pretty good job of that. Quite a few quality players have passed through GT in the past few years and made it to the NFL. I don’t know if Gailey will take GT’s program to the next level, but I would try to hang on to him if I’m Dan Radakovich. Until the athletic department can find someone who will do as good of a job recruiting and a better job at X’s and O’s, it’s not a smart decision to let go of a guy who has been relatively successful. Bottom line is, I’d rather see Tech hang on to Gailey than fire him and replace him with someone who can’t recruit well.

By Najeh Davenpoop

January 14, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

But I do think whichever NFL team hires Chan Gailey as head coach would be making a big mistake. His biggest asset is his ability to recruit, which means nothing in the NFL.

By UVArules

January 14, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Did someone REALLY mention how faithful Gailey is about going to Sunday School! I thought he was a football coach. Maybe that’s the problem with Tech football. At least he doesn’t evangelize as often as Pastor Richt. The whole discussion is moot because no matter who Tech hires, they will NEVER beat UVA again. The fighting Cavalier dynasty will rule the ACC for the next millenium. Praise the Lord!

By jacketsrule

January 14, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

Okay, I admit it. I was wrong about Gailey. I hope all the Hivers will forgive me for misleading you about Chan. Please forgive me. Please.

By Valerie

January 14, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

I saw Coach Gailey Fri at his aunt funeral since I grew up with his relatives and told him I support what his decision is and told his wife too. But did told him I wish he come back to Tech and if he does then I be back too but if not, then I wont be back at Tech after 20 something years of going to the Tech games. I just cant believe Tech fans are acting like this, that is not our style, I am disaappointed

By GTfan

January 14, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

If you want to be respected and clamored for by your fan base, you have to reciprocate their interest and build a relationship. I think Chan has had trouble understanding this concept, as it requires a style of interaction with the fans that he would have never seen in the NFL.

Elsewhere on campus, Paul Hewitt is universally loved by students and fans in general because he makes it known that he appreciates their support. As a student, when I camped out for one of the Duke games, he showed up the morning of with doughnuts, bagels, and OJs for everyone who spent the night. He’s also been quoted talking about the home-field advantage our fans provide in the Thrillerdome.

These are mostly foreign concepts to Chan. The fans don’t know who he really is or if he cares about the fans. So all they know is inconsistent play-calling and the Reggie situation. No wonder there isn’t much love lost.

By gralton

January 14, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

Chan Gailey has nothing to be embraced about. He is mediocre at best, never beating your rival would get you fired easily at any good university. He has had so many average seasons so how could he be embraced? Georgia would have fired him already. This is coming from a tech fan. I hate his conservative “punt with a minute left in the ACC championship” style. I will be glad to see him go, if your not the most talented team, you have to take chances, he does not. His olds school style wont last long.

By Doug

January 15, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

It is unfortunate that the monied alumni have so much say in the hiring and firing of a coach. Guess it is the Walter Mitty in them—they always wanted to be great, in charge and recognized.

By So long Chan

January 15, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

There will be few tears shed among my friends at Tech when Chan leaves. I’m an ACC fan, but let’s face it, his record has been helped thanks to some weak ACC opponents over the past five seasons. Tech has shown some sparks of brilliance during Chan’s tenure (e.g. the Auburn games, Miami, Virginia Tech) but he has promptly thrown away any goodwill with his absolutely pathetic coaching a week or two later. In most games Chan’s offense is about as exciting as watching grass grow. Another year or two of Chan, and Tech fans are going to be falling asleep in the stands.

Whatever else you can say about UGA, they at least have the good sense to fire a coach who isn’t getting the job done, no matter how many second-rate bowl games he goes to. Tech beat UGA three years in a row, and Donnan was gone. UGA has beaten Tech six years in a row, and Gailey gets a contract extension. Enough of this never-ending mediocrity. It’s time for a change.

By tommy

January 15, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

Mora supposedly joked about leaving during a playoff push if Washington offered him the job. A few weeks later he was tossed. He had a winning record. Chan Gailey has not joked, but interviewed with two different teams, during recruiting season. Time to go Chan. You coach like a pro coach anyway, like seven to nine wins will get you and win championships.

By slim

January 15, 2007 01:22 AM | Link to this

Gailey did a ‘nice’ job at Tech. Not great. Not awful. He is a good recruiter, but his recruitment of Reggie Ball, followed by his insistence on using reggie nonstop for four years is unforgivable. GT football has been so painfully dull for the past 4 years that I stopped going to games.

Most Tech fans want him gone b/c he’s interviewed for 2 nfl jobs. If he’s not that interested in being at Tech, why would we want him to stay??

By Sam

January 15, 2007 01:42 AM | Link to this

These blogs amuse me.

I love the Tech fans blasting Mark Richt, a man who has won 2 SEC titles and whose team has played in the SEC Championship game another time. A coach who is undefeated against Tech, has amassed 60 wins in 6 years, etc. Considering Richt’s age, I think it is premature to say he would never be approached by an NFL team although I do not see him as an NFL coach.

Back to Gailey, I can accept him talking with Miami and Pittsburgh once since he has connections with both organizations, but when you go back for a second interview there is more to this than doing them a “favor”. Maybe he thinks he can do it with NFL teams easier than he can at Tech. Tech is never going to acquire the players to compete with other programs consistently. He might also be frustrated that Tech fans do not appreciate him (not that I see much for Tech fans to grab hold of).

If Gailey leaves, I doubt there will be much crying and far more rejoicing and hope. As for Jimbo Fisher—-forget it. Tenuta—I hear he does not have a HC’s mentality/ability, whatever that means. Some guys just are not head coach material—no shame there.

Not sure who could be considered. A lot of the hottest coaches are gone (Kragthorpe, Graham, etc.). I doubt they could lure another D1 coach away at least none that would be an upgrade so you look for assistant coaches or maybe an NFL position coach.

By Sam

January 15, 2007 01:46 AM | Link to this

Gailey interviewing a second time tells me he wants out of Atlanta.

By surfrider

January 15, 2007 02:10 AM | Link to this

Bring either O’leary or Mcwhorter back. They have experience at Tech. They can recruit. They understand the vertifal passing game and the option running game as well as pro sets. Gailey has been average. He has been stubborn. He has overused certain players like Hollings and Rhino to their personal injury. Academics have been a lingering problem eventhough graduation rates have improved. Is it o.k for a Board of Directors to just let a President fall on their face like Gailey let’s some Seniors? No. There is something called a Captain of a ship and monitoring of employees, ie players, while one is in management. The offense has been terrible until this year. The defense has been great until WV. The recruiting has been fair until this year which looks to be improved. O’leary made progress every year in recruiting. Making inroads into the far west and upper midwest, which by the way if not for injuries to Matt Miller and Matt Urovich Tech may have won it all in 1999. I say Bring O’leary or Mcwhorter back. Gailey’s best year was this year and our competition was weak compared to what it’s going to be in the future and we still had a few softy wins. The Qb situation looks much better even if Calvin is no longer on the team to throw to. The other problem to me besides the 10 players flunking out early on in Gailey’s regime was the way Bilbo was dissed one week into fall practice and never got the chance or near the chance Ball got, a sub 50% pass completion rate and very low national scoring rankings and total offense for the team. I would rather loose more games and at least feel like we are striving to be a better program in total terms including on the field passing/run ratios.

By Q-Dawg

January 15, 2007 05:21 AM | Link to this

Ohio State / John Cooper = Jim Donnan / UGA. You are right, Tech simply doesn’t have the mentality to fire ANY coach. I remember Tech fans tooting their horn about their “great year” while UGA struggled. We finished with identical records, and with us having beaten you. Tech claims it as a successful season where UGA searches for improvement. Tells you something about differences in expectations. Drop the we are academically superior s%^&. You guys have had more academically ineligible players than Georgia probably has had in their history. Remember you guys had to forfeit all your wins over us dating back to ‘92 I believe. Your academic standards aren’t higher, just your egos.

By Nono

January 15, 2007 05:46 AM | Link to this

Bee careful what you wish for I am old enough to remember the lean years and some of the bad coaches that went with ‘em. Gailey is a great recuiter, with great coaches. The post Reggie era will make us all forget and start looking forward to next season.

Shame on you Taz.

By Tech fan, UGA grad

January 15, 2007 06:17 AM | Link to this

The one thing I have learned following GT for over 50 years are that the worst UGA fans never darkened the door at UGA much less graduated. I was a Tech fan when I got to UGA and was one when I left. I do not slam UGA as a university, it is a much better university since the Hope program boosted their quality of incoming students. But I get sick of these hayseeds that profess their UGA loyalty and slam GT as an institution. Go ahead and criticize the sport, but leave the academics alone—at both schools. I have lived in Athens the last five years and found that the nicest UGA fans live here. Why are they nicer? Probably because they actually have a degree from UGA and not just some ignorant hanger on hitching their loyalty to whoever is winning this year. Try being a fan to a school that doesn’t win 10 games every year and find out what loyalty costs.

About Gailey: Great players make great coaches. Look at the coaches being highly touted; almost all have a super star making them look great. Gailey is boring and a terrible speaker. If he is a great motivator, I haven’t seen it. But what every school needs is consistency and losing a coach is not consistency. There are no miracle workers out there. I will say, however, that I think the UGA coaches would have beaten UGA with Tech players and that bothers me. And why didn’t Tenuta figure out the Achilles Heal at Clemson like VA Tech did and then every other team. And to give up those points to WVU in the Gator Bowl was disappointing.

By Chan Gailey

January 15, 2007 06:21 AM | Link to this

You people need to calm down. It’s Just a game, dog.

By theedge56

January 15, 2007 06:44 AM | Link to this

I was not happy with how the season ended with the whole Reggie Ball fiasco but what people need to remember is that Gailey and the staff have the luxury of watching practice. Ball could have been a superstar there giving the coaches confidence in gametime performance.

West Virgina was ranked 108th out of 119 against the pass. Meaning half the people writing in here could have carved them up especially with the effort of Choice.

I have always liked Gailey. He is a good stable man. I believe he has the best interests of these kids in mind. Don’t forget Tech is on probation. Here is the most telling stat. Recruiting is the lifeblood of college football it is like the NFL draft. Tech has verbal commitments from 8 athletes ranked as “four star” that is more four star recruits in one class then they have had in the last five years! He is getting the right type of student. He is upholding the rules no matter the consequences. A Loss of Chan would not be a good thing.

People need to get over the fact that Tech is not gonna call them up and ask them to coach, or ask them for coaching advice. They feel they can always do a better job. I encourage you to contact the AD and throw your hat in the ring! Or maybe you can get over your normal life and support the program and a good man like Chan.

By Stats Only

January 15, 2007 07:16 AM | Link to this

Gailey has an overall winning record, but not in games that actually matter:

7-15 versus the Top 25 (per ESPN) 2-3 in Bowls 0-5 versus UGA

Why do we pay him $1MM for a losing record when the game means something?

By m

January 15, 2007 07:21 AM | Link to this

Chan Gailey is the WORST college coach I have ever seen. He should be fired today.

By Edthetechie

January 15, 2007 07:36 AM | Link to this

Sorry folks, I’m a Tech Alumni and a Chan Fan. From my season pass seats, I believe that Chan has kept the students first and they have matured because of it. Some have done better than others of course. Much as I would like to keep Bulldog fans quiet (even if only for a short time). I believe in keeping students first.

Chan please stay.

By Dustin

January 15, 2007 07:52 AM | Link to this

Ive been wanting to get rid of Gailey since he punted aginst Notre Dame knowing we wouldnt get the ball back!

By Russell

January 15, 2007 07:53 AM | Link to this

Gailey lost all my respect, what little I had, when he said a few years ago that with Tech’s academics standards, a good goal each year is seven wins an a bowl trip. Wow. With a bar set that low, how could anyone be excited about it. Maybe that was why he stuck with Reggie Ball so long. Seven years with Ball under center, fumbling and throwing to anyone but Calvin was part of his so very ambitious plan of mediocrity.

By James Berry

January 15, 2007 07:57 AM | Link to this

If Chan leaves as I fear he will, it will be because of:

1. Not “coddling” the “Old Guard” who pay big bucks but sit quietly on their collective cans at the games and clap politely (or boo) instead of giving us a viable home field advantage. Try as they might, they just can’t let go of the dream of recreating Bobby Dodd.

2. Morons on blogs like this one who have hung a lead ball around the neck of Gailey’s program with their back-seat coaching and constant harrassment of a man known to be a good enough coach that the DOLPHINS and STEELERS want him. Did you hear that correctly… the DOLPHINS and STEELERS want CHAN!!! The man you love to throw rocks at… go home and check your football acumen, if it even registers on the IQ meter.

3. UGA journalism grads like Mark (he lost to Georgia - again!) Bradley, Terrence Moore, ad nauseum, who were always on his back. Bradley’s one of the biggest flip-floppers of all time, he will always write whatever’s popular. For crying out loud, he was one step away from jumping on the “fire Mark Richt” bandwagon this year… and you all listen to HIM???

When Chan leaves it will take at least 3 years for his replacement to organize the program and get the players to buy into and adjust to his system.

I hope all of you bloggers are willing to lose to the Hounds another 3 years. As a proud Tech grad, I for one would rather cast my lot with Chan Gailey.

By HAL

January 15, 2007 08:06 AM | Link to this

You have to look at this from the competitions standpoint of recruiting to enjoy what is going on if you’re a tech fan. Draw a 250 mi circle around Atlanta and tell me who the pros are interested in. Bowden?…niether one Spurrier? Richt?, Tuberville? Davis? Fulmer, Saban has the equal of an NFL salary. Don’t tell me these coaches wouldn’t leave to double their salaries because they love where they coach. Bull! A recruit has to ask himself hey they’re interested in the Tech coach…he must be a really good coach and Tech must know what they’er doing to have hired him. I just don’t see where this hurt recruiting. And if Chan stays after this it’s a big plus. If he goes you can bet we will find someone else just as capable. One thing for sure who ever it is we won’t all like him.

By John

January 15, 2007 08:08 AM | Link to this

Half of the people voting for Chan to stay are UGA fans. The % of GT people wanting him to leave is probably 80-20. For any GT fan that thinks he should stay, where have you been the last 2 months??

By John

January 15, 2007 08:10 AM | Link to this

James Berry, you are funny and must be on glue. You take Chan? He has lost 6 times in a row to UGA. Nothing, and I mean nothing, suggests he will ever beat them. Anything is better and WILL be better.

By WFC

January 15, 2007 08:12 AM | Link to this

I’m not a bib “Chan fan” but give the man credit: with the exception of Reggie, his players do improve. UGA with all of its “top ten recruiting classes” barely defeated (games not decided until last possession) GT these past three years in spite of GT never even having a “top thirty” class. What explains that? One would expect UGA to win by three TD’s every year basedon talent.

By Up With 9 and 5%

January 15, 2007 08:26 AM | Link to this

To all you UGA fans:

Yes, winning THE football game is important and something the Yellow Jackets haven’t done in the past few years, but we had something happen at our house to put things back into perspective. Our family, of 2 GT grads and 3 future GT students, decided to have pizza delivered. What a wonderful feeling it was to sit on our porch as our dinner was delivered to us by a UGA Alumni, as the stickers and car tags proudly proclaimed. That kind of makes it worth “TYPING ON OUR CALCULATORS” while the mutts put everything into a Saturday afternoon in November. We want to win the annual “hatefest” as much as anyone, but I’d sure hate to win the game and go back to delivering pizza the next day. Our football program will come around, and we’ll still have our wonderful careers; where is the advancement potential in pizza delivery (even with a win against GT in your pocket)?

By Tony Smith

January 15, 2007 08:33 AM | Link to this

I think it would be a step down for Tech football to lose Chan Gailey. He is a man of integrity who runs a program with integrity. Have we become so jaded in our society that integrity is no longer important?

By Scooter11

January 15, 2007 08:52 AM | Link to this

WFC: Good teams frequently play down to the opponent’s level. Unfortunately, UGA does it most Thanksgiving weekends of late. And, James Berry: You are an idiot. UGA Journalism does not claim either Bradley or Moore. Their roots are elsewhere.

By Ramble ON!

January 15, 2007 09:02 AM | Link to this

Q-Dawg compares his mutts to OHIO ST. (I think they have about 7 more NC, and have played in a bunch more)…now that’s an idiot!

By Ron

January 15, 2007 09:06 AM | Link to this

i really cant believe (reading the other comments) that anyone wants this guy to stay at Tech! By sticking with a horrible QB (Reggie), Gailey showed himself to have the worst possible judgement. Any fool could see that he needed to try the next guy…anyone! Ball stunk and Gailey couldn’t see it. Case closed…get him out of here.

By Red Fox

January 15, 2007 09:06 AM | Link to this

I think that it is crazy that we would want him to leave. Sure, I along with most fans have not been content with him at times, but the end result leaves little to complain about…one of about 10 D1 teams to go to 8 straight bowls (not sure about the exact #), and multiple wins of Auburn & Miami.

If he does go, I think Tenuda has done all he can to interview of the job over the past few years.

By John

January 15, 2007 09:08 AM | Link to this

and OSU seems to be ranked in the top 2 every year!

By ParrisIslandDawg

January 15, 2007 09:17 AM | Link to this

Gailey is actually a better fit at Tech than most think. He is not an up and coming assistant or head coach who will move on to greener pastures in a few years. His NFL interest notwithstanding, he would not be high on a whole lot of D-1 program’s lists. He is going to win a lot games at GT with the players he is getting. Unfortunately, his preparation too often lends itself to losing to inferior teams. As far as programs go, Tech is still rising and could be perenial 8 to 9 win team. It’s a matter of what the Tech faithful are willing to accept. I think you will always have your wins against an Auburn or VTech every year only to see the team come out flat against Wake or Utah in the bowl. O’Leary by himself wouldn’t have done much better over the last 5 years with the same talent but O’Leary with the fridge is a different story. You probably could have tempted Butch Davis back into football after last year’s debacle in the emerald bowl, but your not going to get a big name this year if Chan leaves. You have all the pieces in place to be competitive for years to come, but with Chan it will always be the glass is half empty/ half full kind of thing

By JT

January 15, 2007 09:17 AM | Link to this

If I hear the name TAZ ANDERSON one more time in association with Georgia Tech sports, I will throw up. I guess if you cannot beat UGA while YOU were playing, you try to live vicariously through others.

By UGA99

January 15, 2007 09:27 AM | Link to this

You GT fans who want Chan gone are fools. Do you not realize that you have overall average talent at best? How many of thes kids on your current roster do you think will actually make it to the NFL?

Chan has done well with the talent that he has been able to bring in. GT has played UGA a lot closer than one would expect recently. As a UGA fan I hope Chan leaves