Dolphins focus on Gase
Staff Reporter
Bears coach John Fox could be looking for a new offensive coordinator soon.
Adam Gase, the hottest name on the head- coaching market, is scheduled to have a second interview with the Dolphins on Saturday. A Miami Herald report went as far to say that the job is his barring unforeseen changes.
It has been a whirlwind week for Gase. In addition to the Dolphins, the Eagles, Browns and Giants also have interviewed him. His most recent interview was with the Giants on Friday. He met with president John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese at the team’s headquarters. Gase met with the Dolphins on Thursday.
The Dolphins’ job is open after Joe Philbin was fired in October. Tight ends coach Dan Campbell served as interim coach and also was interviewed for the job.
With his services in demand, Gase, 37, can afford to be selective. But the Dolphins are intriguing for several reasons, starting with quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who signed a six- year, $ 96 million contract in May.
Tannehill, the eighth overall pick in the 2012 draft, had a breakout season in 2014 but regressed this season as the Dolphins went 6- 10.
Despite his struggles, Tannehill completed 61.9 percent of his passes for a career- high 4,208 yards with 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and an 88.7 passer rating. Gase’s multifaceted offensive system includes the zone- read option, which Tannehill has run effectively.
The Dolphins also have burgeoning star receiver Jarvis Landry, a second- round pick in the 2014 draft. In his first two seasons, Landry has 194 receptions, 1,915 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
The Bears are prepared to lose Gase. He was a coaching candidate last offseason after directing the Broncos’ prolific offense with quarterback Peyton Manning in 2013 and 2014 under Fox.
Gase’s credentials only improved this season, with quarterback Jay Cutler posting a career- best 92.3 passer rating. He called Gase’s system the best he has been in.
“Probably some of the drawback [ last year] is that he had Peyton and people were like, ‘ Hey, a lot of people can do it with Peyton,’ ” Cutler said in a recent interview. “But a lot of coaches aren’t Adam Gase. He does an extremely good job.
“I knew that coming into it that if we do OK, this was just going to boost him even more and we’d probably lose him after one year. I’ve been prepared for it all year. I hope he gets a job because he deserves it.”