ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Chan Gailey's second chance to prove himself as an NFL head coach comes with plenty of challenges.

The Buffalo Bills team he's taking over hasn't made the playoffs in a decade and its fans have been clamoring for Bill Cowher during a coaching search that seemed to take forever.

Instead of landing one of the big-name coaches with loaded resumes such as Cowher or Mike Shanahan, Gailey — who coached the Dallas Cowboys for two less-than-inspiring seasons — was introduced yesterday as the 15th head coach in Bills history — and fifth in 10 years.

"I can't say anything to change anybody's mind. All I can do is go try to help us win football games," Gailey said. "We win football games, everybody's minds will be changed, right?"

Gailey was hired by first-time general manager Buddy Nix, ending a two-month search to replace Dick Jauron, who was fired in November. He takes over a Bills team coming off its fifth straight losing season following a 6-10 finish, and in the midst of a 10-year playoff drought that is tied with Detroit as the longest active streak in the NFL.

"I've been around enough winning programs ... that when I walk on the field I expect to win. I don't just hope to win," Gailey said. "But the bottom line is we've got to do it on the field"

Gailey has spent 15 of his 35 years of coaching in the NFL. In his two years coaching the Dallas Cowboys, he went 18-14 and led the team to consecutive playoff appearances — both losses. He was dismissed after the 1999 season, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has acknowledged his mistake in firing Gailey.

SAINTS

MCALLISTER RETIRES

Deuce McAllister has decided to retire from football, ending an injury-plagued eight-year career in which he rewrote the New Orleans Saints' rushing records.

McAllister hasn't played since 2008 but briefly rejoined the New Orleans Saints last week to serve as an honorary captain for the club's playoff victory over Arizona on Saturday.

McAllister confirmed his plans to retire to The Associated Press yesterday afternoon and the Saints announced that McAllister had been placed on the team's reserve-retired list.

The 31-year-old McAllister was drafted in the first round by New Orleans in 2001 from the University of Mississippi. He is the Saints' career rushing leader with 6,096 yards. His 55 total touchdowns and 49 rushing TDs also are club records.

ELSEWHERE

Dolphins: Miami hired Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator yesterday, less than 24 hours after the announcement he was leaving the Denver Broncos after one season. Nolan replaces the fired Paul Pasqualoni.