ESPN's Rex Ryan Is Lobbying Hard For An NFL Coaching Job

11/22/2024 04:34 PM

It's been eight years since Rex Ryan was last a head coach in the NFL and he hasn't taken a single coaching job since despite his reputation as a top defensive mind. But with a number of NFL teams looking for new head coaches this offseason, the former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills coach wants one job in particular.

Appearing on Pardon My Take, the former head coach turned NFL analyst publicly lobbied the Jets to re-hire him as their head coach. 

"There's way too much talent on this team to play the way we've been playing," Ryan said, referring to the Jets. "Period. And, how hard can you get a guy to play? That's the thing. Like, nobody's seen the team going to play the way... As hard as this team's going to play in the future, trust me, if I'm the guy. Trust me."

"And that's going to be it," Ryan said. "That's what's going to seperate me from all these other guys you're going to bring in. You know, your Grudens [Jon Gruden], your whoever or whatever, give me a break. They ain't New York Jets. I'm all about the Jets."

"And the great thing is, alright yeah, second chance. You'd get a second chance at it, things that doesn't happen very often. Yeah, well when it does, it's usually special. And so, we'll find out if I get that chance or not."

"I think I'm the guy for the Jets"

Rex Ryan has some unfinished business with New York @PardonMyTakepic.twitter.com/v1MQbaIvhM

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 22, 2024

Ryan was the last coach to lead the Jets to the playoffs back in the 2010 season. He went 20-12 in his first two seasons at the helm between 2009 and 2010, leading them to the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. His big personality made him a great fit for New York and his bombastic style had fans loving him even after some of his worst moments.

But poor quarterback play from Mark Sanchez between 2011 and 2012, followed by Geno Smith from 2013 to 2014 resulted in four straight years without a winning season and Ryan's firing following the 2014 season. 

Ryan became head coach of the Bills mere months after the Jets fired him but he went 15-16 in two years, also failing to reach the playoffs.

Should the Jets hire Ryan as their next head coach?

Related: New York Sports Radio Host Wants Jets To Hire Rex Ryan