List Of Potential GM, Head Coach Candidates For Jets Is Reportedly Extensive
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- So now what?
The Jets have a lot of work to do in short order to replace fired head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik, and it appears owner Woody Johnson is ready to go to the ends of the Earth to turn this franchise around after four straight non-playoff seasons.
Need proof?
Johnson has put together a dream team of consultants to aid him in finding the next general manager. NFL lifers Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf, two longtime executives who made their bones in this league as personnel men, are expected to steer the Jets in a certain direction.
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Now who they will target remains open to speculation, but according to the Daily News the Jets have an extensive wish list, including: George Paton, the current assistant GM of the Minnesota Vikings; Trent Kirchner, the Director of Pro Personnel in Seattle; Will McClay, a noted draft guru who has helped the Dallas Cowboys in recent years; Chris Ballard, the Kansas City Chiefs' current Director of Player Personnel; and likely the most sought-after candidate, Eric DeCosta, GM Ozzie Newsome's right-hand man in Baltimore.
All of those potential candidates are noted for being "football guys" with steep backgrounds in identifying and developing on-field talent, as opposed to salary capologists like the Jets' previous two GMs, Idzik and Mike Tannenbaum. And whoever is hired will have to sell to Casserly, Wolf and, ultimately, Johnson, his vision for the front office, regarding everything from scouting to a plan for free agency.
The list of potential head coaches has been more wide open, and Johnson made it clear Monday he will likely make the final call on who is hired. Names that have been thrown around in various media reports over the last week as possible targets for the Jets include New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels, Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
Johnson, it appears, is so serious about turning the Jets around from their 4-12 demise in 2014 that he reportedly reached out to former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, even though it has been widely reported that he will be accepting a lucrative offer from the University of Michigan this week.
Whoever ends up being the GM and head coach will have a lot of assets to work with. The Jets are reportedly more than $40 million under the salary cap for 2015, and have the No. 6 overall selection in next spring's draft.
Stay tuned, folks. A lot of new faces will soon be arriving in Florham Park.
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