In a move that should have surprised absolutely no one, the New York Jets informed Adam Gase that he would no longer be serving as the coach of the team following Sunday’s 28-14 loss to the New England Patriots.
“While my sincere intentions are to have stability in our organization — especially in our leadership positions — it is clear the best decision for the Jets is to move in a different direction,” team CEO and chairman Christopher Johnson said in a statement. “We knew there was a lot of work that needed to be done when Adam joined us in 2019. Our strong finish last year was encouraging, but unfortunately, we did not sustain that positive momentum or see the progress we all expected this season. To our fans, it is obvious we have not been good enough. We are committed to building a strong organization, on and off the field, and will continue to provide the necessary resources to field a team that you can be proud of.”
After getting off to an extremely rocky start thanks to his infamous opening press conference, Gase went 9-23 over his two seasons in New York after compiling a 23-25 record in three seasons as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Brought in to coach up quarterback Sam Darnold, the team’s top pick in the draft three seasons ago, Gase was nearly a complete failure as a QB guru as the 23-year old began Week 17 as the lowest-ranked quarterback in the NFL. Though he threw for 266 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s loss, Darnold also tossed a pair of interceptions and was sacked five times.
As a team, the Jets were inept under Gase’s leadership and New York finished the year ranked 32nd in total offense for the second season in a row and were collectively outscored by 214 points by their opponents.
This season’s 2-14 finish is the worst record for the Jets, who now own the NFL’s longest playoff drought thanks to the Browns qualifying for the postseason, since 1996. Despite the awful season, which began with a franchise-record 13-game losing streak, the Jets do not own the top pick in the NFL draft and will select second behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Gase’s .281 winning percentage is the third-worst in franchise history. Only Lou Holtz (.231) and Rich Kotite (.125) were worse as full-time coaches of the Jets. During Gase’s tenure, 15 of his 23 losses were by double-digits.
The Jets now have five consecutive seasons without a winning record and have finished with a winning record just once in the last decade.
Now 32-48 as a head coach, Gase will likely have to take a role as an offensive coordinator or position coach. A possible destination where Gase may continue his coaching career is the same one where it ended Sunday: Gillette Stadium.
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