Adam Schefter discusses Jets head coach Todd Bowles' return to the team on Saturday after being hospitalized on Friday with an illness. (0:56)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Todd Bowles coached in pain Saturday.

After spending Friday night in a New Jersey hospital, the New York Jets' coach made it to Gillette Stadium three hours before kickoff and later provided clarity on the medical condition that had jeopardized his availability.

"Chest was hurting, kidney stones, gallbladder, gallstones, got stuck in the pipe," Bowles said after the most lopsided loss of his coaching career -- 41-3 to the New England Patriots. "A lot of pain, and kind of went from there. Guess I'll get something done after the season."

Bowles, who flew in early Saturday morning, coached from the sideline, not the booth, which surprised some in the organization.

He was stricken Friday with what was initially feared to be a heart attack. He was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a gall and kidney stone attack. After the game, Bowles said he still hadn't passed the stones.

On Friday night, the Jets issued a statement saying they weren't sure whether Bowles would be able to coach. Assistant head coach Mike Caldwell would've handled the head-coaching duties. Bowles said that there had been doubt.

"Yeah, there was," he said. "I had to pass some tests and be feeling somewhat normal to get out there."

Jets coach Todd Bowles arrives at Gillette Stadium on Saturday after spending the previous day in a hospital with an undisclosed condition. Mike Reiss/ESPN

Some players said they were surprised that Bowles made it to the game. Others said there was grave concern about his health.

"There were a lot of guys that were scared," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. "We thought it was bad, really bad. A lot of guys were frightened."

General manager Mike Maccagnan addressed the team Friday night at its hotel, providing an update.

Before taking the field, defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson addressed the team in the locker room, hoping to use Bowles' appearance as a rallying point.

"We didn't know what the illness was, but he chose to be here and coach us today," Wilkerson said. "I tried to give guys some motivation to play harder. ... It was inspiring."

But the Jets (4-11) weren't inspired on the field, losing for the sixth time in seven games. Their past three defeats have been by 31, 21 and 38 points, increasing speculation about Bowles' job security.