Jets Owner Woody Johnson Confirms Head Coach Rex Ryan Will Return In 2014
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Following the Jets' 20-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Jets owner Woody Johnson announced that head coach Rex Ryan will return in 2014.
Ryan led the Jets to an 8-8 record and a second-place finish in the AFC East. The Jets missed the playoffs for a third straight season. Before Johnson's announcement, there was heavy speculation that this would be Ryan's final season as head coach of the Jets.
Antonio Cromartie, Calvin Pace, Geno Smith, Willie Colon and Sheldon Richardson were among Jets who pledged their support for Ryan. Jets fans made it overwhelmingly clear that they wanted to see Ryan return in 2014 by starting a #KeepRex campaign on Twitter.
After Sunday's victory, Ryan was doused with a Gatorade bath by players. He later revealed that Johnson and GM John Idzik informed him before the game that he would be returning next season.
"Mr. Johnson and John (Idzik) told me before the game," Ryan told reporters. "That was good. I don't know if it disappointed everybody, or whatever. Certainly it was good. I'll say this, I love being the head coach of the New York Jets -- plain and simple. You put everything you got into it."
Ryan currently has one year left on his contract. He's pleased to just be coming back for another year. Ryan said "it's never been about me."
"I think organizationally -- we're not going to discuss my contract," Ryan told reporters. "Right now, wer'e not going to talk about it."
Since his 2009 hire, Ryan has guided the Jets to a 41-38 regular season record. He is 4-2 in the playoffs as head coach of the Jets. Gang Green reached the AFC Championship Game in 2010, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Ryan is safe, his coaching staff could undergo a number of changes. Jets linebackers coach Brian VanGorder will reportedly be hired as Notre Dame's new defensive coordinator. A minimum of seven assistant coaches have contracts that are currently set to inspire -- including defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman and special teams coach Ben Kotwica.
Ryan stated that he wants players on his roster who care about being Jets.
"We want Jets," Ryan said to reporters. "We want guys that are selfless, we want guys that can get on board with what we're trying to accomplish here -- team guys, guys that care about each other and play their tails off."
For at least one more season, Ryan will remain at the helm as head coach of the Jets.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
