Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has resigned from his role after one season with the team on Wednesday.
Gailey, who turned 69 on Tuesday, came out of a three-year retirement to reunite with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, coach rookie starter Tua Tagovailoa and lead the Dolphins offense under head coach Brian Flores.
Now, Flores will need to find a new offensive coordinator for the third straight offseason.
“I want to thank Chan for all of his hard work and dedication in what was a unique year,” Flores said in a statement.
“He played an important role on the staff and in the development of our young roster. I wish him all the best.”
Dolphins tight ends coach George Godsey, who took on a greater role working alongside Tagovailoa on the bench between series, may be the best in-house candidate.
Godsey served as Houston Texans quarterbacks coach in 2014 before being offensive coordinator in 2015-16. He also was the Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach in 2018.
Fired Texans coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is a logical outside candidate, although it is unclear how the Dolphins will approach the search.
Gailey’s goal offensively was to put together long, arduous drives upwards of 10, 11, 12 or 13 plays to control the ball and the clock. He also tried to implement a run-pass-offense scheme that benefits Tagovailoa, who had success with the same technique at Alabama.
While Tagovailoa has had some success in such long drives, he has also benefitted from moving faster and running a hurried offense. The Dolphins offense also looked considerably different when Fitzpatrick ran the offense.
It is also unclear whether the Dolphins will need to hire new assistants to coach their quarterbacks and offensive line.
When Gailey was hired, the Dolphins hired offensive line coach Steve Marshall and quarterbacks coach Robby Brown, who both previously worked with Gailey during their careers.
Gailey just finished his 21st season as an NFL coach and his second tenure with the Dolphins. Gailey has also served as head coach for the Buffalo Bills (2010-12), Georgia Tech (2002-07), the Dallas Cowboys (1998-99), Samford University (1993), the Birmingham Fire (1991-92) and Troy State (1983-84).
Gailey’s resignation comes one day after Flores said he expects his coaching staff to return for the 2021 season, and two days after ESPN incorrectly reported Gailey was fired. ESPN released a statement saying the story was published in error.
Gailey’s resignation marks another offensive coaching change after Flores fired friend and longtime co-worker Chad O’Shea from the position after their first seasons in Miami in 2019.
O’Shea’s offense was considered too complex for the young players on the team, and the Dolphins’ offense was near the bottom of the league in several categories.
Of the 14 teams that made the playoffs this season, 11 of them ranked in the Top 15 in scoring.
The Dolphins ranked 15th in scoring and 22nd in yards gained during the 2020 season with Gailey as coordinator, while they ranked 25th in scoring and 27th in yards with O’Shea in 2019.
After drafting Tagovailoa with the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Dolphins must address their offensive skill positions this offseason.
Along with free agency, the Dolphins own the No. 3 and No. 18 picks in the first round of the 2021 draft in April.
