Jets Passed on Todd Monken for Head Coach in 2019

The New York Jets interviewed Todd Monken in 2019 before ultimately choosing to hire Adam Gase.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Football

Expressive sports illustration featuring blurred silhouettes of football coaches against the vibrant green, white, brown, and orange colors of NFL team uniforms. — The New York Jets interviewed current Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken in 2019 before ultimately hiring Adam Gase as head coach. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In 2019, the New York Jets conducted an interview with Todd Monken for their head coach vacancy. The team eventually opted to hire Adam Gase, who finished his tenure with a 9-23 record.

Why it matters

The decision highlights a critical turning point in the coaching trajectory of the franchise as the Jets prepare to face Monken, now the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Adam Gase compiled a 9-23 record while leading the New York Jets. Todd Monken, now 60, will return to MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2026.

The players

Todd Monken

He is the current head coach of the Cleveland Browns and previously interviewed for the Jets position in 2019.

Adam Gase

He served as the head coach of the New York Jets and compiled a 9-23 coaching record.

New York Jets

This is a professional football team that competes in the National Football League.

Cleveland Browns

This is a professional football team based in Cleveland that currently employs Todd Monken as head coach.

The details

During the 2019 interview process, organizational leadership informed Monken that they were seeking a different candidate profile to lead the team. This decision resulted in the hiring of Gase, while Monken would later ascend to the head coaching position for the Cleveland Browns.

In 2019, the New York Jets interviewed Todd Monken for the head coach position.
Adam Gase guided the Miami Dolphins to a playoff appearance in 2016.
The Cleveland Browns are scheduled to play at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The 2019 New York Jets head coach selection process represents a defining moment in the franchise's recent history. This retrospective analysis illustrates how coaching decisions from years prior continue to shape the current competitive landscape of the division.

The October 11, 2026, game at MetLife Stadium will feature the return of Monken to the venue where he was passed over for the top job. The matchup kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, with current standings implications heavily monitored by fans and analysts.

The takeaway

Past hiring decisions in professional sports frequently become relevant again when coaches return to former interview sites. Understanding these historical links provides deeper context for the current competitive environment in the NFL.