For Adam Gase and the NFL’s other new head coaches, success starts with changing attitudes

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -€” The NFL’s two youngest head coaches directed the sidelines last Friday night at MetLife Stadium. Miami’s Adam Gase is 38. The Giants’ Ben McAdoo is 39. Preseason football may be fodder to some, but for both it meant much more. There is nothing like the first time.

“We’ve been waiting for this for some time,” Gase said. “For now, it’s as real as it gets.”

McAdoo got him early, building a 10-0 lead. But Gase won it late, 27-10.

Gase rolls again in the preseason at Dallas on Friday night and McAdoo spins again at Buffalo on Saturday night. Both coaches know that as much as developing talent and balance, their tallest task is altering mindsets. When you become a new NFL head coach, the primary reasons behind it is a losing culture has pervaded the franchise. The team is down. The new coach, the new voice, must orchestrate heavy lifting.

Seven new NFL head coaches this season know the feeling. And it is clear among the hires --€” all seven from offensive backgrounds -€”- that NFL ownership still views offense as essential. Defense may indeed win championships, but offense to ownership remains the way to sell the franchise, to sell hope. They want touchdowns, they want points and so does the league in a game now steered toward big plays and end zone celebrations.

So, imagine the consternation over Gase’s starting offense in two series gaining 8 yards against the Giants. Never mind that centerpieces of the offense, including receiver DeVante Parker and new running back Arian Foster, did not play.

Dolphins fans want the thing that Gase was hired to fix fixed. Right now.

Gase gets it.

“The way I look at it, we want to get all three phases of this football team clicking and the preseason is a time for it to come together,” he said. “We are learning about our team and they are learning about themselves and each other. As the game went on there was an energy and a calm on our sideline and a lot of guys locked in. We can be special if we have that.”

The Dolphins have not been elite for awhile.

Nick Saban’s last season as head coach in 2006 ended with a 6-10 flop. Cam Cameron followed that with a 1-15 debacle. In 2008 Tony Sparano led Miami to 11-5, AFC East champs and a first-round playoff loss to Baltimore. For the past seven seasons, Miami has not earned a winning record, including last year’s tepid 6-10 season with head coach Joe Philbin fired after a 1-4 start, followed by interim coach Dan Campbell’s 5-7 finish.

“It all starts with the mindset,” Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake said. “The biggest thing here has been a lack of long-term consistency. We seem to flip a lot from good game to bad game to good game and then back. We have to start sustaining something.

“Coach (Gase) has been around success, knows what it takes and that is something guys in here understand and respect. Being a younger guy, he relates to what is going on with players on the field and in their lives. He has a knack for calling offensive plays, for having a feel for situations. It’s time for us to set our feet, regroup and start making winning plays, not just one person, not just one game, but everyone and everywhere.”

When the reserves score 27 straight points and allow none like the Dolphins did in their preseason opener against the Giants, indications are that the team has youth and depth. That would be especially welcome. Foster and other starters on both sides of the ball will play against Dallas. The starting offense will be on the field longer. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill gets another chance to show that he can execute Gase’s offense. Rookie guard Laremy Tunsil will gain another chance to prove he is a starter.

The critical factor is that Gase, like all of the NFL’s rookie head coaches, must continue to transform minds.

“Things come up,” Gase said.

As they do, will the Dolphins fold?

They open the season in thorny fashion, with three of their first four games at Seattle, New England and Cincinnati. There is an offense to fix -€” that is Gase’s expertise. But there is more.

“Coach Gase and all of our coaches have been talking to us about when adversity hits, don’t be the guy that runs from it,” rookie receiver and returner Jakeem Grant said. “Adversity will knock on the door in the NFL; we’re building a team that opens the door, lets it in and says, `Yes, we’re right here.’ Coach Gase is a very relaxed guy. Outgoing. Easy to get to know. But he has a switch. You can’t take his kindness for a weakness. Don’t let the nice face fool you!”

Gase is among seven new NFL head coaches who are building leverage each day. Each is called to maximize the offense. But it is their art of the mind game that will distinguish them.

Turnover is a certainty among NFL head coaches. Nearly all of the 32 from the day they are hired toil on an inevitable trail toward one day being fired. Since the end of the 2013 season, more than half (17) have been fired. For this season, seven were tossed and seven new head coaches surfaced. Which ones have the best shot for a debut winning season?

Dirk Koetter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A messy firing (Lovie Smith) and controversial hiring from last year’s staff in Koetter. Quarterback Jameis Winston is promising, but Koetter and the Bucs are still looking way up at Carolina and even Atlanta in the NFC South.

Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns

He gets another chance after a raw deal as Oakland head coach and he is known as a quarterback whisperer. Many expect by season’s end the whispers will turn to shouts as he crafts an RGIII makeover.

Mike Mularkey, Tennessee Titans

There is something serious about Mularkey, something real. And his players respond. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is as nimble afoot as he is strong-armed. The running game will pound. The defense will hit. It’s a surprising Tennessee turnaround.

Doug Pederson, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are comfortable with Pederson. They look destined to play a “comfortable” brand of football. Expect a frustrating, uneven season.

Adam Gase, Miami Dolphins

Look for Gase’s Dolphins to struggle early, but finish strong.

Ben McAdoo, New York Giants

He has the right attitude, the right chemistry with his staff and players and enough weapons to do damage in the NFC East and beyond.

Chip Kelly, San Francisco 49ers

It’s a huge matchup issue in the NFC West for the 49ers against both Arizona and Seattle. It looks bleak. It could get ugly.