When Adam Gase was an offensive assistant with the San Francisco 49ers in 2008, he told Frank Gore that he wanted the running back to play for him if he ever got a head coaching job.
Gase has now made that happen twice. Gore first joined the Dolphins for Gase’s final season in Miami in 2018. Now, after a season with the Bills, Gore has joined Gase yet again with the Jes.
Gore, who is still going strong at 37 years old, elected to join the Jets earlier this month on a one-year deal. Gore will serve as the primary back up to Le’Veon Bell while also serving as a mentor to rookie La’Mical Perine.
“Adam’s very smart,” Gore said on a virtual conference call with reporters Thursday. “When everybody’s on the same page, we can make something happen. That’s what I like about Adam, he’s very smart. He’s real. He’s a man of his word.”
Gore is more than aware of the role he’s signing up for with the Jets. He’s reuniting with a familiar face in Gase and will be a model veteran presence for a young, impressionable locker room. At the same time, Gase has been adamant that a less is more approach for Bell in 2020. Gore can provide a necessary complement for Bell as a between the tackles, short-yardage back.
“I’m cool. I’m happy to even be playing this game at my age. I’m happy that this organization is giving me an opportunity. I’m just going to come in, come to work,” Gore said. “Whenever I get my number called I’m just going to try to make a play for our team to be successful. I’m very excited.”