Students react to Gailey saga

Students had mixed reactions to the end of the 15-day coaching search that saw Head Coach Chan Gailey courted by two NFL teams.

"I think it's really good because it shows that he has a commitment to the team and it shows that he thinks that home is here. It makes me feel good because he's had successful years here," said Nkem Nwankwo, a second-year Computer Engineering major.

Gaily had been interviewed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins before making his decision on Friday.

The Steelers had only had an initial interview with him and he was a finalist for the Dolphins job.

Several coaches left their current jobs for perceived greener pastures during this offseason.

A few notable names were Louisville's Bobby Petrino who left the Cardinals for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

Lane Kiffin left Pete Carroll and Southern California for the Oakland Raiders.

Gailey returns to a team with a top recruiting class, one of the best the Jackets have seen in the last few years.

Students commented on Gailey's keen ability to recruit, something that remains unique to college football.

"Obviously the professional teams wanted him for something. They know who is a good coach and we have a good coach. His recruiting ability is amazing. Our recruiting class for this upcoming season is great and every year it gets better," said Jeremy Kinnaird, a first-year Aerospace Engineering major.

The team has suffered major losses on offense with players Calvin Johnson and Reggie Ball leaving Tech for the draft and offensive coordinator Patrick Nix leaving to hold the same position at the University of Miami.

Others thought less of the Coach and commented on his shortcomings in big games and other areas.

While the team has achieved success this year by reaching the ACC game and playing a bowl game in January, they failed to win either game.

"He's a pretty good coach. He got us to the ACC championship game this year. It wouldn't be that great to see him go but at the same time we haven't won any championships under him so change can be good," said Stephen Malcolm, a second-year Aerospace Engineering major.

In Gailey's tenure at Tech, he has failed to deliver a win against the rival Bulldogs.

This season's game, in which Tech was ranked while Georgia was not, saw another disappointing loss coming at the end of the game.

Tech's last win against Georgia came in 2000, the year before Gailey was hired.

"We've had a few good seasons lately, but we have had some less than good games, notably against Georgia," said Brian Black, a third year Math major.

During his time at Tech, Gailey has amassed a 37-27 record, 5 straight bowl appearances and a 2-3 bowl record.

He had arguably his best season last season when he finished with a 9-5 record.

He had previously not won more than eight games in any season here at Tech.

Some did not feel that Gailey's time at Tech has resulted in anything truly remarkable and a replacement could have better results for this program.

"Why did we keep Gailey? He has never done anything that special at Tech," said Chris Lim, first year Biomedical Engineering major.

Most students still commented that while Gailey has had some problems and that change might be good, it is better that Tech was able to keep him.

Gailey is Tech's eighth coach in the last 40 years.

"I feel safer keeping Gailey than taking my chances with a new coach," Black said.

While the Coach returns this year, students are thinking about next year and the possibility of going through this situation all over again.

"He did well this season but a new coach would be nice. ... Maybe he can do better this year. I say we give him one more year," said Patrick Thayer, a first year Biomedical Engineering major.