ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - Chan Gailey has been fired by the Buffalo Bills after three losing seasons.
The announcement was made Monday, a day after the Bills closed out another disappointing season with a 28-9 win over the New York Jets.
Buffalo finished 6-10, and Gailey leaves with a 16-32 record. There was no immediate word on the status of general manager Buddy Nix.
In a hopeful season after signing star defensive end Mario Williams to a $100 million contract, the Bills reverted to their ways of the past, failing to make the playoffs for a 13th straight year, the NFL's longest active drought.
Gailey met with his players during the team's annual exit meetings and informed at least one of his players that he expected to be fired.
Gailey addressed reporters for a little over a minute, and declined to take questions.
He thanked both Nix and team owner Ralph Wilson for the opportunity, and said he understood the reasons behind the decision. Gailey also announced that his entire staff had been fired.
"I understand this is a business. We didn't get the job done," Gailey said, reading from a Bills pad on which he had jotted down a few notes. "I've been called two other times to get things turned around, was able to do it. We weren't able to get this one done soon enough and I understand that completely."
Other NFL coaches fired Monday were Lovie Smith, Chicago; Ken Whisenhunt, Arizona; Andy Reid, Philadelphia, Norv Turner, San Diego; and Pat Shurmur, Cleveland. The New York Jets fired their general manger, as did the Cardinals, Chargers, and Browns.