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Gailey retires, five Jets assistants fired

AP

Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has announced his retirement, and the team announced Tuesday that five other assistant coaches have been fired.

So, head coach Todd Bowles remains on the job for a third season but will have a very different staff.

Relieved of their duties were quarterbacks coach Kevin Patullo, running backs coach Marcel Shipp, defensive line coach Pepper Johnson, outside linebackers coach Mark Collins and defensive backs coach Joe Danna.

Defensive Coordinator Kacy Rodgers will return, but Bowles will now publicly pursue a new offensive coordinator. The team’s release said Gailey informed Bowles before the recently completed season that he planned to retire.

“I thought it was best to tell him early, so that he could begin to think about how he would move the team forward on offense,” Gailey said in the team’s statement. “While we did not have the season we all wanted to have, I think there are some great people here at the Jets and in the New York/New Jersey area. I wish them all the best moving forward.”

Gailey turns 65 later this week. He’s a former head coach of the Bills and Cowboys and was also a coordinator for the Steelers, Broncos, Dolphins and Chiefs.

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55 Responses to “Gailey retires, five Jets assistants fired”
  1. maxkingpin says: Jan 3, 2017 1:51 PM

    Fascinating.

  2. bencoates57 says: Jan 3, 2017 1:51 PM

    I’m beginning to wonder if Pepper Johnson was ever really good. Didn’t he coach the D-line for the Patriots? Or was it linebackers? That D-line for the Pats was a weak spot for years.

  3. britishraven says: Jan 3, 2017 1:51 PM

    I wasn’t aware there was a Jets offense to co-ordinate?

  4. tjacks7 says: Jan 3, 2017 1:52 PM

    They seem to forget that these guys are coaches, not miracle workers. There’s very little you can do when your players stink.

  5. weepingjebus says: Jan 3, 2017 1:53 PM

    So he actually retired before the season? It all makes sense now.

  6. bassplucker says: Jan 3, 2017 1:54 PM

    I am expecting an announcement in a similar vein will be made by the Bears at their presser tomorrow morning. Two or three position coaches let go to appease the fan base but the head coach stays. Seasons as awful as the Jets and the Bears have just completed require that someone take the fall but different owners have different appetites as to how high up the food chain the axe gets swung. It’s a lot more financially palatable to buy out some assistants (assuming their deals are even guaranteed) than to eat two years of a HC contract.

  7. nic3roc0123 says: Jan 3, 2017 1:55 PM

    Good luck in life after football, Chan! Thanks for developing and getting the most out of some of our young guys like Quincy and Robby.

    Bowles should bring in Defillipo from the Eagles or McCoy and let them develop Hack or a rookie this year.

  8. SEACTNFL says: Jan 3, 2017 1:55 PM

    Maybe there just aren’t any facts to back it up but I think an underreported tidbit is how Wilkerson & Richardson started acting up as soon as we hired this guy who has a reputation of being a difficult personality to get along with. I believe he was a bad influence over those two. Yes, Leonard Williams blossomed under him but he was widely believed to be the next best thing. Hard to mess that up.

  9. jimmysee says: Jan 3, 2017 1:55 PM

    65 years old.

    Chan can sign up for Medicare and take Social Security.

  10. footballmaven says: Jan 3, 2017 1:55 PM

    …he was also head coach at Ga Tech for awhile.. did anybody ever hear abt Calvin Johnson in college? Of course not – Gailey was his coach

  11. intrafinesse says: Jan 3, 2017 1:56 PM

    Sure Chan Gailey planned to retire. What a coincidence!

    I’m surprised that the DC (Kacy Rodgers) is returning.

    If the GM has another poor draft, will he get fired after the 2017 season?

  12. mogogo1 says: Jan 3, 2017 1:58 PM

    What is the advantage of dumping seemingly every assistant but keeping Bowles as head coach?

  13. mongo3401 says: Jan 3, 2017 2:01 PM

    Good choice. Look at the QBs the Jets will have. Don’t blame him. Time to get out of Dodge.

  14. nic3roc0123 says: Jan 3, 2017 2:02 PM

    By the way could the Hackenberg decisions be based on Gailey telling Bowles he would retire? I could see it because Gailey is too old to develop a rookie and it would be moronic to throw Hack to the wolves in a system for a year and change it the next. I’m not hating the move to let him redshirt for the year now. I also think Patullo might have something to do with that leak to try and cover for himself.

  15. ampats says: Jan 3, 2017 2:02 PM

    Most of the Jet players and their fan base retired before the last game also.

  16. barrywhererufrom says: Jan 3, 2017 2:03 PM

    How did the D Coordinator Stacy keep his job? Kept his friend..BS

  17. draculalambert says: Jan 3, 2017 2:04 PM

    does anyone like Bowles? He just stands there w no emotion. I hate that…but hey they had to do something so the assistants left.

    this is what they call a “Bowle movement”®

  18. joefelicelli says: Jan 3, 2017 2:05 PM

    Chan Gailey to me goes down as one of the more versatile offensive minds in recent history. He got it done (with the exception of this year) in a variety of schemes, with a vast variance in the type of players he used, and was as innovative as any in the game.

    He is a lot like Wade Phillips to me. Not that great as a HC, but an outstanding coordinator who didn’t get the accolades they deserved.

    Bowles certainly has his work cut out for him this offseason. Plus, it has been 2 years, so Brandon Marshall is about to become a toxic force in the locker room, if he hasn’t already.

  19. deuce2222 says: Jan 3, 2017 2:05 PM

    Paging Mr. Kelly, Mr. Chip Kelly. Please report to the Jets front office.

  20. TB12RALLYCRY says: Jan 3, 2017 2:05 PM

    Pepper was a great player and fine coach in New England , coaching linebackers and d line. He was a victim of the record with the Jets and when teams dont play well and the hed coach stays , he makes changes. Pepper will land on his feet and do just fine , hopefully back in Foxboro with talk of Patricia leaving possibly…Brian Flores is probably next in line if Patricia left but Pepper can bean asset to teams coaching staff for sure….

  21. waldoampere says: Jan 3, 2017 2:10 PM

    The Special Teams coordinator needed to be fired. How many times can a team return a KO from the end zone to short of the 25 without the coordinator being held responsible?

  22. harrisonhits2 says: Jan 3, 2017 2:16 PM

    I hope Belichick gets right on the phone to Pepper Johnson. I know he wanted to be a DC and that’s why he left the Pats, but he’s never gotten that promotion.

    When he was the Pats LB coach the group performed wonderfully. Would love to have him back at what he does best next season.

  23. connfyoozed says: Jan 3, 2017 2:22 PM

    Best wishes to Gailey, but with all due respect, his Jets offense retired long before he did.

  24. tigerlilac says: Jan 3, 2017 2:23 PM

    Woody plans on changing the team’s name to the New York Ambassadors.

  25. suncawy says: Jan 3, 2017 2:27 PM

    I hear Chip Kelly is looking for job….possibly as an offensive coordinator.

  26. perscientist says: Jan 3, 2017 2:32 PM

    Today, another episode of “How the Jests Turn.”

    More upheaval. This is not how you create stability. I do agree, Gailey, ugh, not a good look this year. But 5 other assistants? Seems a little much.

    2017 AFC East Prediction:

    Patriots: 12-4
    Dolphins: 9-7
    Bills: 6-10
    Jests: 5-11

  27. jacunn2000 says: Jan 3, 2017 2:33 PM

    I hear the Ryan Brother’s are available?

  28. gerard33 says: Jan 3, 2017 2:42 PM

    Let’s give Chan some credit as an outstanding NFL football coach for a moment here, if he’s truly done.

  29. nard100 says: Jan 3, 2017 2:48 PM

    He keeps his job, but his staff gets gutted. Good luck trying find quality replacements when 6 other teams are in the running for them

  30. hawkforlife says: Jan 3, 2017 2:52 PM

    “While we did not have the season we all wanted to have, I think there are some great people here at the Jets and in the New York/New Jersey area.

    Not anymore. They just fired 5. How many more can there be.

  31. intrafinesse says: Jan 3, 2017 2:55 PM

    It’s easier to find decent position coaches than a good HC prospect. Just offer them more money.
    If the clown owner is willing, it will get done.

  32. elyasm says: Jan 3, 2017 2:58 PM

    draculalambert says:
    Jan 3, 2017 2:04 PM

    does anyone like Bowles? He just stands there w no emotion. I hate that…but hey they had to do something so the assistants left.

    this is what they call a “Bowle movement”®
    ————————————————————–
    That had me cracking up. If the Jets players rally together to support their head coach, would we then say “they are circling the Bowle”?

  33. balt88 says: Jan 3, 2017 3:11 PM

    You’re going to be hard pressed to find a more reliable OC than Chan Gailey.

    If he couldn’t get it done chances are you need to be dumping players.

  34. stinkymcmulligan says: Jan 3, 2017 3:32 PM

    Unfortunately the head coach is still employed by the NYJ

  35. mcgil38 says: Jan 3, 2017 3:40 PM

    It’s bad enough that Bowles is coming back… but how in the world can they justify keeping Kacy Rodgers?

  36. davew128 says: Jan 3, 2017 3:42 PM

    bencoates57 says:
    Jan 3, 2017 1:51 PM
    I’m beginning to wonder if Pepper Johnson was ever really good. Didn’t he coach the D-line for the Patriots? Or was it linebackers? That D-line for the Pats was a weak spot for years.
    ****************
    He was linebackers coach. Linebacker was a strength while he was there. You might recall the entire group being on the cover of SI in 2007…

  37. Lemmy Aksyadis says: Jan 3, 2017 3:52 PM

    draculalambert says:
    Jan 3, 2017 2:04 PM

    does anyone like Bowles? He just stands there w no emotion.

    He should perhaps go all Bob Knight & throw chairs? Punch a few players?

    Watch NE sidelines, BB does get a bit heated when properly provoked but he’s mostly under control as are the OC & DC. it doesn’t help your team if you act out on the sideline, frankly it likely embarrasses them.

    Not everyone monitors a hall the same way.

  38. jdbaker01 says: Jan 3, 2017 3:59 PM

    Looks like a huge Bowle movement

  39. lscottman3 says: Jan 3, 2017 4:01 PM

    1969

  40. solo681 says: Jan 3, 2017 4:03 PM

    Had to repost this:

    That had me cracking up. If the Jets players rally together to support their head coach, would we then say “they are circling the Bowle”?
    +++++++++++++++++

    OR, you can just call it a ‘STRAIGHT FLUSH’

  41. Patskrieg says: Jan 3, 2017 4:13 PM

    Pepper Johnson in New England squeezed career years out of guys like Tully Banta Cain, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson, Jarvis Green, Myron Pryor…

    And people are questioning his coaching ability after getting let go from the Jets?

  42. stevegrogannakedbootleg says: Jan 3, 2017 4:13 PM

    Belichick early retirement system :

    Step One : Coach in the AFC East

  43. tedmurph says: Jan 3, 2017 4:15 PM

    The way I remember the situation in New England, when DPees left after the 2009 season, Belichick didn’t name a DCoordinator in 2010. After that sort of running audition between PJohnson and MPatricia, it became apparent MP was gonna be the guy. The PJ amicably moved on, hoping to become a DC somewhere else. PJ did a good job here, they just liked Patricia better.

  44. kevpft says: Jan 3, 2017 4:20 PM

    Thank goodness it’s not a leadership problem!

  45. alonestartexan says: Jan 3, 2017 4:37 PM

    Bowels has no spine.

    I can remember several years ago the Titans were willing to keep their Hall of Fame coach Mike Munchak if he was willing to can his assistant coaches and start fresh and he refused, saying that they were his staff.

    He was fired, but at least he had principles and loyalty. Bowels has no loyalty.

  46. superpatriotsfan says: Jan 3, 2017 4:46 PM

    Pepper Johnson also coached the Bills defensive line in 2014 who had a top 3 defense. I would say Pepper is Pepper is pretty good. I can see him going to the Eagles to help out Jim Shorts.

  47. firstand4ever says: Jan 3, 2017 4:59 PM

    Even though these moves make sense. Teams that do house cleanings and make coordinator changes in the midstream of their programs. They aren’t really recipes for long term success. If you are a promising young OC candidate. Why choose the Jets as your first OC job? Same thing can be said about an established OC like Norv Turner or Mike McCoy. The problem is Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan will probably not survive another losing season. If you take the Jets OC job, You might be out of a job in a years time because a new regime might take over. Throw in the fact that The Jets do not have a quality quarterback on their roster. Do they go the veteran route with a Romo, Cutler or Tyrod Taylor, or take a stab at a unknown like say Mike Glennon. None of those options scream out long term stability.

  48. Big Ant TV says: Jan 3, 2017 5:14 PM

    Norv Turner on line 1 for the OC job

  49. buffalobraves says: Jan 3, 2017 5:36 PM

    perscientist says:
    Jan 3, 2017 2:32 PM

    2017 AFC East Prediction:

    Patriots: 12-4
    Dolphins: 9-7
    Bills: 6-10
    Jests: 5-11
    ————————————————————

    Post that on your wall, +/- 1 game either way, I think you nailed the entire AFCE. Well done!

  50. v2787 says: Jan 3, 2017 5:42 PM

    “jimmysee says:
    Jan 3, 2017 1:55 PM

    65 years old.

    Chan can sign up for Medicare and take Social Security.”

    He’d better do it quickly, because Trump and the republicans are going to eliminate those programs ASAP. There are going to be a lot of hurting senior citizens in this country very soon, not that the GOP cares.

  51. mindelm42 says: Jan 3, 2017 5:45 PM

    My favorite Bowles quote was about why Christian Hackenberg didn’t develop this year (as a 2nd round pick no less) ~ “Christian just needs to play to get better…” OH THEN WHY DIDN’T YOU PLAY HIM???? Plus what an asinine decision to keep 4 QB’s on your roster (none of whom apparently are any good)! How do Bowles and the GM survive that mess?

  52. aljack88 says: Jan 3, 2017 6:10 PM

    Pepper was a pretty decent LB too, back in the day. Played with LT, Carson and Banks. DC for Parcells was BB. One of my favorite core of LBs.
    where are all the oldie Gmen fans?

  53. mikeytoth says: Jan 3, 2017 6:13 PM

    You think firing some assistants is going to help that dumpster fire? Fire the entire crap franchise. They don’t do anything but lose and embarrass themselves. I just wish there would be SOME competition in the AFC east. But my Pat’s just keep rolling!

  54. logast says: Jan 3, 2017 8:37 PM

    So, with that D Line talent, Pepper Johnson couldn’t work with that? No wonder he was fired.

  55. bradygirl12 says: Jan 3, 2017 8:43 PM

    Translation: If he hurries up and retires,they can’t fire him. Why keep Bowles,though? That guy is a terrible head coach. They will just be a different version of the same mess next year.

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