Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, may finally stumble into the head coaching job he’s been coveting for sometime now.
Gase — who was a finalist for the 49ers’ head coaching job a year ago — will be a favorite for the Lions job if it opens up according to CBS Sports.
Gase, who began his pro career with Detroit, remains close to several members of the Lions’ front office. He would be interested in coaching in Detroit and is held in high esteem by former NFL general manager Ernie Acorsi, who is consulting for the team on potential GM and coach hires. While the Lions will not finalize a decision on the fate of coach Jim Caldwell until after the season, Gase will be a top target should Caldwell not return.
Gase, who served on the staffs of Steve Mariucci and Rod Marinelli when he entered the NFL more than a decade ago, is viewed as a quarterback guru who is doing exceptional work with Jay Cutler this season and could be a strong influence on Lions starter Matt Stafford. The opportunity to work with Stafford would be attractive to Gase, sources said, and Gase is close with recently-promoted Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, with the pair working together in Denver in 2013. Cooter is quickly earning a strong reputation among Lions officials for his work with Stafford, and he has already worked under Gase should the franchise want to retain certain members of this staff.
The job he’s done with Jay Cutler speaks volumes, but what about Jim Bob Cooter in Detroit? Gase and Cooter have a strong relationship, and would probably work together to ensure that Matthew Stafford continues to develop.