Former NFL Head Coaches the Jets Could Consider For Offensive Coordinator

Mike McCoy (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sport)

The New York Jets, and head coach Todd Bowles, fired five assistant coaches Tuesday; Kevin Patullo (quarterbacks), Marcel Shipp (running backs), Pepper Johnson (defensive line), Mark Collins (outside linebackers), and Joe Danna (defensive backs). In addition, Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey has announced his retirement.

Bowles will now begin a search for a new assistant to run the Jets offense.

If he stays in-house, the leading candidate may be wide receiver coach Karl Dorrell. The receiver coach has a good relationship with the teams top-two wide outs, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. He also is credited with the development of Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson this season.

However, you can be sure Bowles will take a look outside the organization as well, and there are some individuals with head coaching experience that could be a good fit.

Chip Kelly was fired by the San Francisco 49ers following this season and while it may be most likely he returns to the college ranks, he will be a sought after name. Kelly recently indicated he would be happy being an offensive coordinator somewhere. Take away the day-to-day leadership and personnel decisions, Kelly is one of the best offensive minds in the game at any level.

Brad Childress is a former head coach with the Minnesota Vikings. After being fired by the Vikings, Childress became the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. He struggles is his one year there, but let’s be honest, who doesn’t struggle in Cleveland these days. He then joined Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City as an offensive assistant before being named offensive coordinator in January when Doug Pederson, was hired as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach. The Chiefs are now preparing for a run to the Super Bowl and the AFC’s No. 2 seed entering the playoffs. Why would Childress leave KC for the same role with the Jets? Well, he may be the OC in KC, but everyone know’s it’s Andy Reid’s offense. Maybe he wants to truly run his own offense and make a name for himself once again.

Of all the names on this short list, and possibly the most realistic, may be Mike McCoy. McCoy was fired by the San Diego Chargers after leading the them to a 5-11 last place finish in the AFC West. He had success running the offense in Denver prior to leaving for the head job in San Diego and could be a good coach to pair with Bryce Petty and/or Christian Hackenberg. Afterall, he did actually get something out of Tim Tebow when he was a member of the Broncos.

Will Bowles bring in a former head coach to run the Jets offense? Nobody knows at this time what his thinking is, but it’s something he should consider.

The Jets finished the season No. 26 in total offense, 27th in passing, and 30th in scoring offense.

According to the team, Gailey, the 65-year-old coordinator told coach Bowles that 2016 would be his final NFL season before it started.