An immediate fire storm raged among the Miami faithful upon the hiring of Adam Gase. Calls of “Philbust 2.0”, just another “Yes Man” and such disparaging cries erupted before, and more so after, his press conference. Doubt, frustration, history all pooled into a volcano of angst brewing into near rebellion of the hire – but, beyond the emotion what is the reality of Adam Gase as the new Dolphins leader? I must admit, I also was hit by a resounding “Meh” over him becoming the Dolphins new head coach, but I decided to fight the tide and do my research and formulate my own opinion. I will write several articles that will work in tandem relating to the personality and the other X’s and O’s of Adam Gase.
With the understanding that all psychological observations are anecdotal (despite what the shrinks like you to believe), I’ll give my two cents backed by as many links as possible. This article might be dense and the reason for that is this is such a crucial step for all us fans that I’d like to offer as many bread crumbs as I can for my conclusion.
I believe the first point to tackle is that Adam Gase is “Philbust” 2.0. For your viewing pleasure I’d like to consider both coaches opening pressers which can be viewed here: Gase and Philbin.
Notice the distinct difference in presentation. Notice the difference in the relation between GM’s and Ross. Notice the pantomimes of discomfort of Philbin with spasmodic hand gestures, shrugging of shoulders, swaying and inability to hold his gaze on the person he is speaking to. Now compare it to the calm demeanor of Gase who eye locks the person he is speaking to. Yes, he was offered to sit and the table did allow him hand and body cover that Philbin didn’t have, but the focus of eyes and attention to the questioner is stark.
As a man, I judge another man heavily on his ability to look at me when he speaks. I find it very uncomfortable to speak to someone who is talking to me and is looking everywhere else other than at me. I, without trying to inflate my nature, am an “Alpha Male”. I played ball, sought high adventure, was a bouncer, held posts in very insecure zones, am a trained fighter, and found my way through this life quite often through physical means…I generally have a brutes psychology – the essence of a football player. Philbin always jarred me – Gase on a personal level is engaging and doesn’t back down and on a surface level, I respect him.
Again, this is all anecdotal. BUT, if we dig further and compare Philbin’s inability to deal with “potent” personalities to Gase’s ability to be a “whisperer” to powerful (Manning) and difficult (Cutler) personalities, we see a wide chasm. Also, it’s interesting to note that Gase doesn’t simply “deal” with them, but rather gets them to feel strong passion and strong loss at separation. This is true charisma and people skills, and it doesn’t take the greatest sportsbooks in the world to realize this is the heart of true coaching. It’s crucial for rich, powerful, uber men to see you as an equal or better yet a superior. His comment that players respect those who ‘can get them paid’ was one of the most spot one and honest quotes i have ever heard from a coach. Gase whether he succeeds or fails is a man with conviction (balls) to speak unflinchingly. That is light years away from “queasy” Philbin.
Now, this is a small part of the totality, but it is a crucial part. This doesn’t mean he is the next Lombardi, but it does ABSOLUTELY mean he is not Philbin on a personality level – at least in contrast to their pressers and history of player interaction. This aspect alone though offers hope that he has a chance. Ability to relate to the players and it’s heavy impact was demonstrated by Campbell. It alone was his asset and it alone was able to carry him to higher levels than Philbin.