Gailey remains at Tech

After a little more than two weeks, Head Coach Chan Gailey announced on Friday that he would be staying at Tech through at least the 2007 season.

"I enjoyed talking with [the Steelers and Dolphins] about where they were going and where I might fit in. The best place for me is at Georgia Tech," Gailey said.

Tech returns 17 of 22 starters from last year's team and a recruiting class that is rated in the top 15 by scout.com.

"I'm excited about the future here at Georgia Tech and where we're headed and what we're going to do for the next few years," Gailey said.

Despite his feelings about Tech, he felt it was necessary to hear what the Dolphins and Steelers had to say.

"I think you always look at every situation that comes along.... I think that you look at it and see what are the positives and what are the negatives," Gailey said.

"I think we all know that there are no utopian jobs on this earth. They all have great things, and they all have negatives. You look at them and you evaluate how you and your family fit into each one of them."

In a 'Dewey Defeats Truman' moment, the London Daily Mail announced to the world that Chan Gailey would be announced as the Dolphin's new head coach hours before the news broke to the contrary in the United States.

While fans were left wondering about the situation, Gailey kept his highly rated recruiting class informed of any developments that would take place concerning his situation at Tech.

"We've been very up front and honest with [the recruits] and they've responded tremendously," Gailey said. "I think that they understood what was going on and I think everybody is fairly solid."

He also kept his current players informed of the process.

"I had a big team meeting and told [the players] what was going on," Gailey said. "I told them the same reasons for why I was talking to [the Dolphins and Steelers] that I told my recruits and my team understood."

Gailey might be returning, but he will have to look for a new offensive coordinator. Patrick Nix left Tech to take the same job with the Miami Hurricanes.

Nix's offense scored 30 points on then Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon's defense. Shannon was hired shortly after the end of the season to replace Larry Coker after the team went 6-6.

Coaching against Nix will not be a problem for Gailey.

"He's on the other side with the other color on, so it won't be a problem," Gailey said.

A quick resolution to the vacant offensive coordinator position is unlikely to occur with the coaching staff focusing on recruiting and National Signing Day that is only a couple of weeks away.

"I haven't had time to think about that yet," Gailey said. "We're going to concentrate on recruiting first. I might make a few calls or talk to a couple of people, but it probably will not get done until recruiting is finished or at least close to the end."

National Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 7 with a signing day celebration being hosted at the Atlanta Hilton at 5:30 that evening. Several recruits will be on hand at the Atlanta ESPNZone to sign their letters of intent as it is against NCAA rules for recruits to sign on campus.

"I don't know that you get disappointed," Gailey said about not being offered the Dolphin's job. "You have to feel like you are where you're supposed to be. There is a reason you're at a certain place, whatever that might be."