Getty Former New York Jets coach Kevin Patullo speaking with some players on the sideline of an NFL game.
The New York Jets could pull off a surprising family reunion this offseason on the coaching staff.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed in his column on Tuesday, January 24 “I also know that many in the Jets building are fond of Kevin Patullo, who was the quarterbacks coach there in 2015-16.”
Patullo is one of the people the Jets have already interviewed for their vacant offensive coordinator position.
Kevin Patullo Could Provide the Perfect Answer to Jets Issues
The 41-year-old has been coaching football since 2003.
During that 19-year run, he has been with three different colleges and six different NFL teams.
Most recently Patullo has been working with the Philadelphia Eagles as their pass game coordinator.
The Eagles secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC this season with a 14-3 record and are set to compete in the NFC Championship game on the back of a record-breaking offense.
Prior to that, he had a stint for two seasons with the Jets from 2015 through 2016 as their quarterbacks coach.
That first year was one of the best offensive seasons in Jets franchise history.
Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 3,905 passing yards (second most in team history) and tossed 31 touchdown passes (most in team history).
Even beyond the quarterback position the Jets had a pair of 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher.
Insider Shares Some Juicy Jets Coaching Search Nuggets
Rosenblatt said the Jets have run into some speed bumps during their offensive coordinator search this offseason.
“Some candidates have expressed concerns and others have said “no thanks” to interview requests, including Dolphins quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell and Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan.”
Some of the concerns that have been brought up include uncertainty at quarterback and “perceived job security questions.”
Rosenblatt also said that the “search is far from over” and added that he wouldn’t describe any candidate “as the front-runner.”
One name that a lot of fans have been circling is Frank Reich. He used to play for the Jets and has direct ties to general manager Joe Douglas from their time together with the Philadephia Eagles.
Rosenblatt confirmed that the Jets are interested in Reich, however, if they want him they may have to wait a while.
Reich has interviewed for multiple NFL head coaching openings and that dust would have to settle “before he’d even consider an interview” with the Jets.
Interesting nugget from @ZackBlatt:
#Jets search “is far from over” for a new OC + team is interested in Frank Reich but if they want him they will “likely have to wait” for #NFL HC searches to wrap up “before he’d even consider an interview.” #TakeFlight
Another name that is an interesting one to watch is Chad O’Shea from the New England Patriots coaching tree.
Rosenblatt noted his issues under Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores. He was “considered” for the OC gig with the New York Giants this past year under Brian Daboll.
O’Shea is a candidate that is considered a hot commodity. In this cycle, he has warranted several interviews for a variety of positions already.
Rosenblatt praised him for his ability to get a lot of production out of an “undermanned” wide receiver group with the Cleveland Browns this season.
The belief is he would want to run a “pass-happy scheme” which could pair very well with a new veteran quarterback addition this offseason.