It’s on Joe Douglas to find the right successor for Adam Gase.
According to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, Douglas will take point on New York’s search for a new head coach after firing Gase on Sunday night. Gase posted a 9-23 record in two years with the Jets, including a disastrous 2020 season that featured an 0-13 start. Gase, who came to New York with the reputation as an offensive guru, also oversaw the NFL’s worst-ranked offense the last two years and failed to make any sort of positive impact on Sam Darnold’s development.
Jets CEO Christopher Johnson and president Hymie Elhai will contribute to the organization’s search, per Hughes. However, it will be Douglas spearheading the search, identifying targets and conducting most, if not all, of the interviews with prospective candidates.
Among potential suitors for the vacancy are Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Ravens DC Don “Wink” Martindale, Titans OC Arthur Smith and Rams DC Brandon Staley, per NFL Network. Iowa State’s Matt Campbell and Florida’s Dan Mullen were also mentioned as candidates from the college ranks that could receive consideration.
Douglas’ first head-coaching search as a general manager is expected to be a long and thorough one. Unlike the collaborative process between Johnson and Mike Maccagnan that landed Gase in the Big Apple, it looks like New York’s general manager will have the autonomy to decide who the Jets’ next head coach will be without much meddling from franchise brass.
