Who will replace Adam Gase? Six potential options for the New York Jets head coaching search

It seemed destined for failure from day one.

Despite a stamp of approval from Peyton Manning, the decision to hire Adam Gase two years ago by the New York Jets has been nothing short of a colossal and dismal failure -- and the team will almost certainly be in the hunt for a head coach again soon.

Gase’s tenure in New York was doomed from the start -- if not because of his cringeworthy introductory press conference, then because of his inability to develop Sam Darnold while pitting the Jets near Rich Kotite levels of ineptitude (8-22 record in two seasons).

Here are six options for the Jets at the helm in 2021:

1 and 2) Oklahoma HC Lincoln Riley/Iowa State HC Matt Campbell

These two are both considered long shots, as they each rebuffed NFL opportunities the past two offseasons, but they are still worth a look considering all they’ve accomplished in the college ranks.

Riley showed zero interest in the Dallas Cowboys job last year, a much more appealing destination than the Jets, while Campbell, in fact, turned down an offer to interview with New York prior to Gase’s hire.

Nevertheless, Riley molded top picks Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield into Heisman Trophy winners at OU and could be attracted to an opportunity to work with Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence if the Jets attain the top pick in the draft.

On the other hand, Campbell turned around Toledo’s program before reinvigorating a downtrodden Iowa State program into perennial bowl contenders.

At just 37 and 40-years-old, respectively, with a ton of recent college experience to boot, either would be an attractive option for the Jets given their youth at QB, whether it’s Lawrence or Darnold, who are just two years apart.

Prediction: Don’t expect Riley to go anywhere, at least until he brings a championship to OU. Campbell spends at least one more year at ISU. No traction here.

3) Tennessee Titans OC Arthur Smith

Arthur Smith accomplished in one year in Tennessee what Adam Gase couldn’t in three years in Miami after Ryan Tannehill reached the Pro Bowl in his first year as a Titan.

Under Gase’s tutelage, Tannehill ranked in the lower tier of NFL QBs, while he led the league in passer rating under Smith’s guidance as a Titan in 2019.

In fact, Tennesse had its best offensive season since 2003 last year and is currently on pace to best that mark again this year.

Smith has turned Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry into stars as Tennessee currently ranks as the No. 2 offense in football, trailing only, of course, Kansas City.

An under the radar move, Smith would stand to upgrade an abysmal Jets offense that ranks dead last this season.

Prediction: Smith winds up in Detroit. Armed with Matthew Stafford and a rebuild elsewhere.

4) Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

Once again, Bieniemy appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for most expected head coaching vacancies this offseason, though he’s yet to take a job in years past.

He’s spent the last eight seasons in Kansas City as the running backs coach and now offensive coordinator, serving under Andy Reid in the NFL’s premiere offense.

Though he’s currently loaded with weapons, including Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce, and one of the greatest head coaches in league history in Reid, Bieniemy is highly regarded in league circles.

The 51-year-old likely won’t have to look far for a job though, making him a relatively unlikely candidate for the Jets, who have little to offer.

Prediction: Bieniemy replaces in Anthony Lynn and takes over the Chargers, salvaging Justin Herbert’s career.

5) Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh

Though he flopped at Michigan, Harbaugh was one of the hottest commodities in the league following his dismissal from San Francisco, where he boasted a 44-19-1 record

While Harbaugh’s career has been somewhat volatile, he did still manage to lead a 49ers team piloted by Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick to a Super Bowl appearance.

Nevertheless, his up and down tenure at Michigan will deter some teams from offering him a head coaching gig.

But, the potential for greatness is still there for the former quarterback.

Prediction: Harbaugh winds up on television. A dismissal from Michigan is on the horizon, and with a potentially limited NFL market for his head coaching services, he could opt for a media gig while distancing himself from his college tenure for a year.

6) Buffalo Bills OC Brian Daboll

Following stints as the offensive coordinator in Cleveland, Kansas City, and Miami, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has rebranded one of the league’s more lackluster offenses into an aerial assault over the past two seasons in Buffalo.

Daboll’s offensive script has turned Josh Allen, who was drafted four picks after Darnold, into one of the NFL’s premiere passers as the QB of the No. 2 ranked passing offense -- trailing only the reigning champion Chiefs.

The 45-year-old also has big game experience, serving under Nick Saban as the co-offensive coordinator during Alabama’s 2017 title run.

An ideal target who wouldn’t need to leave the division, or even the state, Daboll is even familiar with the Meadowlands -- having operated as the Jets QB coach way back in 2007-08.

He’d be a home run hire for an organization in need of a reboot.

Prediction: Daboll winds up a Jet. His track record in the AFC East and ability to work with a young quarterback in an adverse situation bodes well for an organization begging for a savior.