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Well, it was bound to happen. Despite their
strong finish to the season, which included upsets of the Los Angeles Rams and
the Cleveland Browns, the New York Jets are expected to part ways with Adam
Gase. Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero broke the news Saturday afternoon before
the season finale:
The next head coach is going to inherit a
roster that needs help on both sides of the football and faces a decision at
quarterback. Do the Jets try and rebuild Sam Darnold in the wake of Gase’s
tenure or do they take their pick of quarterback two on their board? Either
way, an offensive-minded head coach with a record of quarterback development
would be wise.
Or, perhaps a defensive wizard with ringing endorsements from his
current players?
Whichever road the Jets choose, here are the best candidates for
the job.
Pep Hamilton, quarterbacks coach, Los Angeles Chargers
(Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports)
Sure, Brian Daboll might have the best
“quarterback development” type of resume right now in the NFL thanks to the
success of Josh Allen, but if I’m in charge of a team looking to bring along a
young QB, Pep Hamilton is perhaps my second phone call.
Hamilton and Shane Steichen
have done a tremendous job as the quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator in
Los Angeles, bringing along Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert. The
former Oregon Ducks passer looks light years ahead of where he was coming out
of the Pac-12. From how he handles pressure in the pocket, how he attacks
leverage in the secondary, and how he forces defenses to change what they do
against the Chargers, Herbert is the real deal.
Now there might be an opportunity for both Hamilton and Steichen
to get head coaching looks, perhaps even in Los Angeles depending on how the
organization handles Anthony Lynn. But Hamilton has seen time as a head coach, as he served in
that capacity with Washington’s XFL franchise before the league folded last
spring. That combination of quarterback development and experience makes him an
extremely strong candidate in my mind.
