Local fans give opinions on Gailey

BUFFALO,. N.Y. (WIVB) - So, what does the twelfth man think about Chan Gailey?

The fans desperately wanted a coach from the NFL's "A List," but they are willing to give Chan Gailey a chance.

After hearing from the Bills' new head coach, fan reaction seems to be lukewarm at best.

Matthew Duggan from Blasdell said, "There is so much hope and all these new coaches. We'll see what he can do. My doubt's on whether he can pull it off or not."

Bob LaPorta from Orchard Park commented, "Hopefully this guy will work out. He's said he's going to be the coach and the offensive coordinator so we'll know who to blame right away."

Online sports publisher Patrick Moran put all his money, and thousands more, on Super Bowl winner Bill Cowher. Moran says raised money on behalf of the fans to put that message in lights on this billboard, but he is not completely disappointed with Gailey.

Moran said, "The good news is Bill Cowher recommended him."

And Gailey, who was Cowher's offensive coordinator at Pittsburgh, acknowledged Cowher's influence on him.

Gailey explained, "I learned about how to be a head coach, probably more from him than anybody else I've been around, through my years."

"When the Bills were pursuing Cowher, Cowher gave a strong recommendation for him and he also said that if he was to return to coaching this year, he would bring Gailey along with him on his staff," said Moran.

But Moran believes, as many other fans, getting a good coach is only part of the puzzle. Getting the right players is the other.

Sean said, "They have to bring in the players. It's more the players than the coaches right now."

"He's got to be better than Dick Jauron if he keeps his eyes open!" said LaPorta.

How much time is Moran going to give the new coach?

Moran said, "I've already had people, in message boards and stuff like that, they've been e-mailing me about getting a "Fire Chan Gailey" billboard up. Let's give the guy a little bit of time."