Newton Citizen

STATE

Falcons leaning toward Garrett or Ryan for coach

ATLANTA - One day after introducing their new general manager, the Atlanta Falcons got back to work trying to find a head coach Wednesday, meeting with Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett for the second time.

Thomas Dimitroff, who was hired as GM last weekend, indicated the Falcons may have their man by the end of this week.

If that's the case, Garrett and former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan would appear to be at the head of the list. They are the only two candidates to get a second interview with Atlanta so far.

NATIONAL

Gailey finds job as Chiefs' OC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs hired former Dallas Cowboys head coach Chan Gailey to be the offensive coordinator on Wednesday.

Gailey, who spent the past six seasons as head coach at Georgia Tech, will try to turn around one of the NFL's weakest offenses. He replaces Mike Solari, who took the Chiefs from being one of the league's top offenses to one of the worst in two years.

Kansas City ended the season with a 4-12 record and on a nine-game losing streak after scoring only 226 points. That's 70 points less than any Kansas City team has scored in 30 years.

Dolphins hire Tony Sparano as head coach

DAVIE, Fla. - Tony Sparano is going to work for Bill Parcells again, this time as coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Sparano, who had been the Dallas Cowboys' assistant head coach, accepted a job offer Wednesday from new Miami boss Parcells. They worked together with the Cowboys when Parcells was head coach in 2003-06.

Sparano becomes the Dolphins' fifth head coach since 2004.