MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Sept. 18, 2025) — The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), in partnership with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, has announced that longtime NFL and college football coach Chan Gailey will serve as the featured speaker for the 2025 FCA/AutoZone Liberty Bowl Breakfast.
The breakfast, now in its 46th year, is set for Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 9 a.m. at the Hilton Memphis Hotel. The annual event benefits the Greater Memphis FCA and is recognized as the organization’s largest community gathering.
Gailey’s football career spanned nearly five decades, including head coaching stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, as well as offensive coordinator roles with several NFL teams. He coached in multiple Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. Gailey also found success at the college level, leading programs at Troy, Samford and Georgia Tech.
A longtime supporter of FCA, Gailey credits the organization’s Coaches Camps with shaping his life and career.
“We are extremely excited to have Coach Gailey share his story and personal testimony with our audience and the Memphis community,” said Jeremy Wilbur, Greater Memphis FCA Metro Director. “His faith and relationship with God have been a central part of his career and life.”
Harold Graeter, Associate Executive Director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, added, “Coach Gailey personifies the character, high principles and values on which the AutoZone Liberty Bowl was founded. We are honored to welcome him as this year’s keynote speaker.”
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic will be played Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at 3:30 p.m., featuring teams from the SEC and Big 12, and will air nationally on ESPN.
Tickets and sponsorship information for the FCA/AutoZone Liberty Bowl Breakfast are available by calling (901) 683-3399, emailing memphisfca@fca.org, or visiting MemphisFCA.org.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
