Gase’s energy, passion resonate with players
DAVIE — Adam Gase, the NFL’s youngest head coach, could be anywhere on the field during a Miami Dolphins practice. Sometimes you might see the 37-year-old bundle of energy rushing the passer, other times defending receivers.
But whatever Gase is doing, you can bet he’s doing it with enthusiasm and energy.
“Definitely a lot of enthusiasm,” newly signed safety Isa Abdul-Quddus said. “You can tell he likes to compete. He encourages that as much as he can.”
This is a stark contrast to the older, sedate Joe Philbin, the Dolphins’ previous coach.
Gase, who has earned a reputation as somewhat of a quarterback guru after his work with Denver’s Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow
and Chicago’s Jay Cutler, even jokingly trash-talks with his players.
And he’ll probably continue to do so today through Thursday when the Dolphins hold their OTA (Organized Team Activities) at the Baptist Health training facility at Nova Southeastern University.
“He’s been talking junk to the defense the whole time, telling us his offense is going to kill us and everything,” Abdul-Quddus said. “It actually encourages me.
“I love that my coach wants to compete against anybody he’s going against because it shows he’s always going to be on his ‘A’ game.”
Guard Jermon Bushrod, who played for Gase last season when Gase was Chicago’s offensive coordinator, is impressed by Gase’s personality and coaching style.
“He’s going to bring that fire,” Bushrod said. “He’s going to bring that energy. This is what this team needs.”
And apparently it’s not just Gase’s on-field demeanor that’s winning him points with his new players.
“I love him, man,” Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey said.
“He’s a player’s kind of coach and we’re excited. He wants to come in and build relationships before we talk about football, and that’s the best thing about him.”
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who could be the biggest beneficiary of Gase’s presence, talked about his excitement creating mismatches in Gase’s offense.
“Beyond that,” Tannehill said, “I think he’s easy to communicate with, he’s open, he’s excited, he’s energetic, and all those things translate well to guys.”
Even fellow coaches pick up on Gase’s energy and enthusiasm.
“I really like his demeanor around our players,” said
“He’s a player’s kind of coach and we’re excited.” Center Mike Pouncey on new coach Adam Gase
Darren Rizzi, the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator.
“I think they appreciate it. I think he relates very well with today’s athlete, and certainly his success, I think the guys really respect that. They respect him certainly as an offensive coach and now as a head coach, just being around him every day. I like being around [him]. He’s refreshing. He’s really brought an energy to the building.”
Up and down the roster, players rave about Gase’s personality. Although he’s close to the age of many of his players, Gase projects a maturity beyond his years.
“He’s young and he’s passionate,” linebacker Jelani Jenkins said. “Like I said, it seems like he’s like 80 years old coaching because of how smart he is, how much he knows about the game, and his confidence. It seems like he’s been in it for a long time.”
Obviously, none of these laurels means much if Gase doesn’t make the Dolphins winners. After all, no one would have minded Philbin’s relatively aloof personality if he’d have won.
But starting with Gase’s first introduction to his players, and continuing with this week’s OTAs, he’s winning hearts and minds. And that’s the first part of the battle.
“He’s a young coach, of course he’s going to be full of energy,” defensive end Andre Branch said. “When you walk in the building and your coach has energy, as much energy as you do, that’s exciting. Because you know that’s the type of coach that when he wakes up in the morning he’s ready to go to work regardless of what day it is.”