National Football League

Back in NFL, Wannstedt reunited with Bills' Gailey

Published Aug. 10, 2011 10:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

Approaching a group of reporters gathered at one end of the field, Dave Wannstedt already knows the drill.

''Turn toward the sun, right?'' Wannstedt says as the late morning sun exposes a graying yet still familiarly full head of hair. Entering his 37th year of coaching, Wannstedt is an old pro in knowing TV cameramen and women prefer their subjects facing the light.

''Ready?'' Wannstedt asks, because it's evident he sure was during his first meeting with reporters five days into the Buffalo Bills' training camp last week.

Last winter's frustrations of being forced out of his dream job at Pittsburgh, his alma mater, now behind him, Wannstedt is relishing the opportunity of being back in the NFL after a six-year absence.

''It's been great,'' he said. ''I'm happy and appreciative to be here. And excited.''

And in Buffalo of all places. The small-market Bills might not be a magnet for high-profile coaches such as Wannstedt, a two-time NFL head coach (Chicago and Miami). And yet Wannstedt made Buffalo his first choice - a ''no-brainer,'' as he put it - in January for two specific reasons.

The Bills' young and patchwork defense could certainly use someone like Wannstedt's vast experience. He's serving as the team's assistant head coach and also overseeing the inside linebackers.

More important, there was the opportunity to be reunited with close friend and former colleague, Bills head coach Chan Gailey.

The two first hit it off in 2000-01, when Gailey served as Wannstedt's offensive coordinator in Miami. Wannstedt liked Gailey's no-nonsense approach and game-planning ability, and the two have kept in regular contact since going their separate ways.

''I'm a football coach, and I'm not ready to retire. But I didn't need to take a job unless it was with the right person,'' Wannstedt explained. ''I'm doing this because I feel like the situation is good ... and the guy who's the head coach here, I know what he's all about.''

The feeling's mutual.

''He brings an awful lot of knowledge and an awful lot of experience,'' Gailey said. ''There is an immediate credibility when you have a guy like that on the field. Whatever he says, (players) hang on every word.''

Wannstedt's reputation has preceded itself among Bills players, young and old.

''I don't care who you are, you know who Dave Wannstedt is,'' veteran linebacker Chris Kelsay said. ''Any time you have that type of persona on your staff, his experience and all the things he's accomplished, it's not going to hurt. Guys respect him.''

When free-agent veteran linebacker Nick Barnett visited training camp before signing with Buffalo a week ago, he spent much of the time with Wannstedt.

''You just know his background, his history, you know there's a lot of knowledge there,'' Barnett said. ''I thought that was a perfect fit for me.''

Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, a rookie third-round pick, has been impressed hearing stories about Wannstedt's former players, including Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas.

''You listen to what he has to say,'' Sheppard said. ''He knows what it takes to be not just a good player, but a great player. I just try to soak it in.''

Wannstedt-coached teams have traditionally been strong on defense, going back to his days as a defensive coordinator in Dallas. That's where under Jimmy Johnson in 1992, he coached a young unit to finish first in the NFL in fewest yards allowed and helped the Cowboys win the Super Bowl.

The Bills defense is essentially starting from scratch. It's coming off a season in which it ranked last against the run, was ravaged by injuries and had difficulty making the switch to the 3-4 scheme.

Aside from coaching inside linebackers, Wannstedt's role is undefined beyond providing guidance and assistance to both Gailey and defensive coordinator George Edwards.

Wannstedt has been such a big fan of Gailey, he enjoys recalling the game plan Gailey devised in Miami's 2001 season-opening 31-21 win at Tennessee. Gailey was so fearful of the Titans aggressive defense that he came up with a run-first, short-pass approach to keep the pressure off his quarterback. And that included running the ball in third-and-long situations.

The Dolphins managed only 11 first downs, but didn't give up a sack. Lamar Smith scored twice, on a 4-yard run and a 65-yard reception off a screen.

''Chan was smart. He knew that our offensive line was not capable of blocking these guys in long-yardage situations. And he was going to call plays that gave the team the best chance,'' Wannstedt said. ''I think that's a great story of summing up someone who's a great coach.''

In Buffalo, Gailey hopes Wannstedt can return the favor.