Adam Gase. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Former Jets, Dolphins HC Adam Gase giving coaching another shot

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Feb 9, 2026 10:04 PM ET

Adam Gase is back in the NFL.

Formerly the head coach of the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets, Gase hasn't coached since he was fired by the latter after going 2-14 in 2020.

He's not going to be a head coach again (at least yet) or even a coordinator, but Gase is dipping his toe back in the water.

According to Kris Rhim of ESPN, Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers are hiring Gase as an assistant coach overseeing the passing game.

Gase will be coaching under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who ironically was just fired after a stint as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

One would imagine that they'll have plenty to talk about between practice and game prep.

He’s back: After a five-year hiatus, Adam Gase returns to coaching in the NFL, joining the #Chargers as an assistant focusing on the passing game, sources say.

The former #Jets and #Dolphins coach rose in the ranks as a record-setting offensive mind. Now back to his roots in LA. pic.twitter.com/swCKTPt1bm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 9, 2026

Adam Gase has a tough go as a head coach in the NFL

Gase, 47, is from Ypsilanti, Michigan. After spending a few seasons as an assistant for the LSU Tigers, he burst onto the NFL scene as a top offensive assistant with the Detroit Lions (2005-2007), San Francisco 49ers (2008), Denver Broncos (2009 to 2014) and Chicago Bears (2015).

As offensive coordinator for the Broncos in 2013, he helped the team make Super Bowl XLVIII, though they lost to the Seattle Seahawks. He was credited with helping Peyton Manning have a record-breaking passing season.

Gase got his chance as a head coach in 2016 with the Dolphins, as he was hired to replace interim head coach Dan Campbell (who was replacing fired head coach Joe Philbin).

Gase went 10-6 in his first season and led the Dolphins to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. That was, unfortunately, his high-water mark in Miami. The Dolphins went 6-10 in 2017 and 7-9 in 2018, and Gase was subsequently fired.

The Jets picked Gase up straightaway with the thought that his offensive mind would pair well with No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold.

The Jets started 1-7 but won six of their final eight games to finish 7-9.

In 2002, the Gase's Jets started 0-13, and they finished 2-14. He was fired after going 9-23 overall in New York.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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