After leaving Baylor as a defensive coordinator,[2] Haley spent two years (2002–2003) as Georgia Tech's linebackers coach where he helped the Yellow Jackets to a pair of postseason bowl games.
In 2003, he coached a first-team all-ACC performer, after Tech's trio of starting linebackers finished the 2002 season as the team's top-three tacklers.
Prior to his stint in the NFL, Haley spent three years as the defensive line coach at Mississippi State from 2004-06.
Under Haley's watch, Bulldogs defensive end Titus Brown developed into a second-team all-SEC selection after leading the team and ranking fifth in the conference in sacks in 2006.
The Bears finished sixth in the NFL in sacks in 2007 with defensive tackle Tommie Harris earning a spot in the Pro Bowl that year.