Chan Gailey is coming out of retirement to become the offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, according to NFL Network’s Pelissero.
This comes just a few days after the Dolphins’ upset victory over the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Despite their ability to end the season on a high note, Miami still finished with a 5-11 record, the worst in the AFC East.
Gailey, 67, will replace Chad O’Shea, who was let go on Monday. O’Shea lasted just one season with the team, indicating the franchise is looking to head in an entirely different direction.
There will likely be a total overhaul in Miami this offseason. The Dolphins have not hidden their pursuit of a young quarterback to take the reigns of their franchise. That, paired with multiple first-round picks, leaves the door open for Gailey to implement a spread-scheme offense tailored to those new additions.
Gailey’s arrival all but insures the return of Ryan Fitzpatrick as a veteran signal-caller in the Dolphins’ new offense. Fitzpatrick is under contract until 2020 and his connection with Gailey will likely motivate him to prolong his stay in Miami. Gailey coached Fitzmagic in New York and Buffalo.
Fitzpatrick isn’t the only one who will be experiencing déjà vu, though. Gailey was once already the offensive coordinator in Miami. He assumed the role under Dave Wannstedt from 2000 to 2001.
While his return breathes new life to the Dolphins’ offense, Gailey has been out of practice for quite some time. He has not coached since 2016, his last season as the Jets’ offensive coordinator.
His adjustment to a faster-paced NFL could see its fair share of bumps along the way. For the Dolphins, they’ll have hope he can learn and adapt on the fly.