Adam Gase, a former assistant coach for the Detroit Lions and head coach of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, has made his return to an NFL coaching staff for the first time since 2020. Gase is set to join the Los Angeles Chargers as an offensive assistant, where he will concentrate on the team”s passing game.
At 47 years old, Gase has a notable background, having graduated from Michigan State University and Marshall High School in Michigan. His last coaching position in the NFL was with the Jets, from which he was released in January 2021. Gase”s career with the Lions spanned over two decades ago, where he began in the scouting department from 2003 to 2005, transitioned to an offensive assistant from 2005 to 2006, and eventually took on the role of quarterbacks coach in 2007.
In a conversation with MLive back in 2014, while serving as the offensive coordinator for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, Gase reflected on his time at Michigan State and his coaching journey through the NFL. His first head coaching role came in 2016 with the Dolphins, where he achieved a 10-win season and a playoff appearance in his inaugural year. However, the subsequent two seasons were less fruitful, as Miami recorded 6-10 and 7-9 records, leading to his dismissal after a heavy defeat to the Buffalo Bills that concluded the 2018 season.
Following his time in Miami, Gase was quickly hired as the head coach of the Jets, aiming to revitalize quarterback Sam Darnold“s career. His tenure with New York began with a 7-9 record, but the team struggled in 2020, starting 0-13 and finishing with a dismal 2-14 record. Ultimately, Gase was let go after two seasons, leaving him with a head coaching record of 32 wins and 48 losses, along with a single playoff appearance across five seasons.
Now, Gase joins a revamped offensive coaching staff under head coach Jim Harbaugh for the Chargers. Notably, former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has taken the role of offensive coordinator, providing Gase with an opportunity to contribute to the development of quarterback Justin Herbert and enhance the Chargers” passing attack.
