Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is making sweeping changes.
In three seasons in Miami, Gase exits with a 23-25 record. The coach led the Dolphins to a 10-6 record and a playoff appearance his first year with the club. The past two years, Gase compiled a 13-19 record. After jumping out to a 3-0 start to the 2018 season, Miami finished 7-9.
"I want to thank Adam for his hard work and dedication to the Miami Dolphins," Ross said in a statement. "These decisions were not easy as he gave everything he had to the organization. I wish him and his family the best going forward."
Gase dealt with quarterback issues throughout his tenure in Miami. Starter Ryan Tannehill missed the end of the playoff campaign, all of the 2017 season, and five games in 2018 due to injuries. Miami's offense wasn't a pillar of consistency even when Tannehill was healthy, counting heavily on sporadic, unsustainable big plays to move the ball this season. Miami finished 30th in the NFL in passing yards per game (181.3), fewest by a Dolphins team since 2003.
The Dolphins' embarrassing 42-17 loss to the Bills on Sunday appeared to be the final straw for Ross, who decided to move on from Gase. Miami finished the season on a three-game losing streak, including a dismal 17-7 Week 16 flop versus the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars.
The coach firing wasn't the final move for Miami in the offseason shakeup. General manager Chris Grier is now in charge of football operations and will lead the search for Gase's replacement and report to team owner Stephen Ross. Mike Tannenbaum, who previously spent four seasons as executive VP of football ops, has been reassigned.
"I am excited about having Chris lead our football operations going forward," Ross said. "I want to build a championship organization and I've fallen short of that so far. I know I need to take a different approach and I've learned that we need a more streamlined structure for accountability and a longer term view on our decision-making. Chris is highly respected throughout football and is an unselfish, team-first leader who knows the game. We need to add to our core of young players and build something special over the long-term and I believe in Chris."
Gase meanwhile will likely jump to the top of the list for several coaching openings. The Denver Broncos, who fired Vance Joseph on Monday, could look to bring back their former defensive coordinator. But Broncos general manager John Elway told reporters later Monday that Gase isn't an option at this time.
