Georgia Tech head football coach Chan Gailey returned to spring football practice four days after suffering a heart attack.

Gailey, 53, was playing racquetball at the Campus Recreation Center on March 14 when he began experiencing chest pains. He was taken to nearby Piedmont Hospital where an angioplasty was performed. He was released from the hospital two days later.

The Yellow Jackets began spring practice March 15 while Gailey was still hospitalized. Assistant head coach Buddy Geis and assistant coaches Jon Tenuta and Patrick Nix coordinated the workouts.

Gailey made the decision to hold practice as scheduled.

"Coach Gailey already had everything set up," Geis said. "We knew everything that we planned to do for the first six practices. Chan is very organized, so it was easy."

When he returned to practice on March 18, Gailey watched from a golf cart.

"It's great to be back out here, considering the alternatives, " he said. "I'm very fortunate and very blessed to be able to be back on the field and coaching, but I've got to take it easy. If the doctors see me out there doing too much on the field, I'm sure I'll get a call."

Gailey said he has been overwhelmed by response from fans, friends and former players and coaches.

"It's been very humbling to hear from as many people as I've heard from, it's just been amazing," Gailey said. "I'm deeply, deeply grateful for all of the calls and well-wishes."

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