Jets are making their top priority for a head coach crystal clear without saying a word
With just days left in the 2024 season for the New York Jets, Woody Johnson is gearing up to begin interview for his new head coach. With the season coming to a close on Sunday, Woody Johnson is free to begin speaking to people who are currently employed by another team after their final game […]
With just days left in the 2024 season for the New York Jets, Woody Johnson is gearing up to begin interview for his new head coach.
With the season coming to a close on Sunday, Woody Johnson is free to begin speaking to people who are currently employed by another team after their final game of the regular season. Two names have already emerged as receiving an interview request and much like the traits they are looking for in their GM, Woody appears to be prioritizing experience this time around.
Rex Ryan, who has been lobbying for the head coaching job since the Robert Saleh was fired, and former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera are the first two names that have officially been requested for an interview.
A third name is likely to be added to that list as former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s consulting contract with the Cleveland Browns expired today, making him available immediately for coaching interviews. Vrabel is going to be one of the more sought after candidates the coaching cycle as he has successful experience in six years as head coach in Tennessee.
It was reported earlier this week that the Jets may not necessarily hire a GM before hiring a head coach, which I don’t think is a bad tactic, provided they are hiring the right head coach to earn such control. Once the GM and coach are set, assuming Woody Johnson doesn’t scare off all the potential candidates, they can get to work together on the roster.
For Rex Ryan, I don’t think it would be the smartest move for the Jets to bring him back, but there is something to be said about a man who is telling anyone who will listen that he wants the Jets job and only the Jets job. In a time where the sentiment around the league is how toxic the situation is at 1 Jets Drive, someone who has had success and wants to be there should not be overlooked.
Ryan was the Jets’ head coach from 2009-14. He compiled a 46-50 record and was fired after a 4-12 finish in 2014. However, the Jets finished at least .500 in four of Ryan’s six seasons. The highlights were his first two years when the Jets reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games after four upset victories on the road. The Jets’ shocking 28-21 victory over the Patriots in the 2010 AFC Divisional remains their last playoff victory, and 2010 was their last postseason appearance.
As for Ron Rivera, he had some success in his first head coaching job with the Panthers. In almost nine seasons (he was fired 13 games into his ninth year), Rivera posted a 76-63 record and lost in the Super Bowl in 2015 after winning 15 games. He made the playoffs in four of eight-plus seasons in Carolina and was 3-4 in those playoff appearances.
After being fired from the Panthers, Rivera spent four years in Washington where he was 26-40, never made the playoffs and never finished above .500. Part of the problem for “Riverboat Ron” was his inability to develop a quarterback outside of Cam Newton who was more of a physical specimen than a passer.
The Jets will certainly be busy over the next few weeks as they look to win another offseason after another failed regular season. They will have to be thorough but move quickly. While there are only three official head coaching jobs open right now (Jets, Bears, Saints) there will likely be more come next Monday.
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