Not everyone in New York is thrilled about the Jets hiring the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, but Sam Darnold knows that winning will change that.
Some fans of the New York Jets, as well as a few members of the always-vicious New York media, have expressed unhappiness with the team turning to a division rival to find its next head coach.
After the Jets parted ways with former coach Todd Bowles, it didn’t take them long to bring Adam Gase to the Meadowlands to take over the helm. Gase is very familiar with the territory, having spent the last three seasons coaching New York’s AFC East rival Miami Dolphins.
What kind of message does it send that the Jets brought in someone who, technically, is supposed to be their enemy? Certainly not the kind of message fans wanted to send when they hired a new coach.
But just like most problems in sports, this one can be solved simply by winning. All it will take is one good season, and any unhappiness expressed by Jets fans will disappear in a flash.
At least, that’s what quarterback Sam Darnold is expecting.
“I don’t think they’ll be upset when we start winning games,” Darnold said confidently, according to ESPN.com.
Darnold, who helped the team with its coaching search, loves the hiring of Gase. He spoke with a handful of candidates interested in the job, but Gase was the clear-cut choice for this team. Darnold believes that under Gase’s leadership, the Jets will bounce back from their disappointing 4-12 season in 2018 and get back to a winning tradition.
“I’m really, really excited about this opportunity and all the things Adam can bring this team,” Darnold said. “For us, it’s about winning. How do you do that? You score more points than the other team. I’m really excited about the opportunity to get to work with him, and score a load of points. I think it’s going to be really fun.”
Regardless of what fans think right now, Gase is already off to a great start in New York because he has the overwhelming support of his young franchise quarterback. If that can indeed translate into scoring “a load of points” and winning games, it won’t take long for him to have the full support of the fan base as well.