Rex Ryan on job of Jets coach: 'I'm the best guy — and it ain't close'
Rex Ryan as Jets head coach in 2014. Credit: Hans Pennink
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Rex Ryan believes he’s the best man for the Jets’ job.
Ryan, who will interview for the head-coaching vacancy on Tuesday, is confident that he will get a second shot to coach the Jets.
“Oh, 100%. Absolutely I do,” Ryan said during a Monday appearance on ESPN Radio. “And the reason I think I’m going to get it is because I’m the best guy — and it ain’t close.”
Ryan has some things going for him.
He was the last coach to lead the Jets to the playoffs 14 years ago, when they reached the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year. Ryan also has maintained a good relationship with owner Woody Johnson. Mike Tannenbaum, who was the Jets’ general manager when Ryan was hired, will be among the group conducting the interviews for the Jets.
Johnson hired The 33rd Team, founded by Tannenbaum, to help in the search for a head coach and general manager. Ryan and Tannenbaum both work as NFL analysts for ESPN.
“The thing that you have to do, you have to connect with the football team, you have to connect with your fan base,” Ryan said. “And the way they play, that’s the most important thing. Not just the X’s-and-O’s and all that. This Ben Johnson? I love him, I absolutely love him. But I’m a better candidate for this job than he would be.”
Johnson, Detroit’s offensive coordinator, reportedly is not interested in the Jets, so they might not request permission to speak to him. Now that the regular season is over, they have requested interviews with numerous candidates.
The known ones are Lions defensive coordinator and former Jets cornerback Aaron Glenn, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown (a former Jet) and 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese.
Glenn and Nagy can be interviewed this week because their teams are on byes. The Jets already have interviewed Ron Rivera and Mike Vrabel.
GM search
The Jets also are lining up interviews with general manager candidates, including Tampa Bay assistant general manager Mike Greenberg, a Bellmore native and former Jets intern.
They’ve also requested permission to speak with Kansas City assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi, Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby, Vikings senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson and Rams senior personnel executive Ryan Farmer.
The Jets already have interviewed Thomas Dimitroff, Jon Robinson, Jim Nagy and Louis Riddick.
Ulbrich’s future
Interim coach/defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich hasn’t been told when he will interview with the Jets. He also said he’s not scheduling interviews with other teams yet.
“There’s some things out there,” Ulbrich said, “but definitely want to see where this opportunity lies first.”
Ulbrich went 3-9 after replacing Robert Saleh.
Play or retire?
C.J. Mosley, who missed the final 10 games with a neck injury, is feeling better and doesn’t have “any thoughts about retiring.” Mosley has a $4.25 million guarantee with the Jets for next season, but he’s unsure whether he’ll be back.
Left tackle Tyron Smith, 34, is contemplating retirement after missing the last seven games with a neck injury. Smith said he has full range of motion in his neck now.
“Next couple of weeks I’ve got to decide what I’m going to do as far as playing or not playing,'' Smith said. “I’ve got to take some time to myself and get away from this and decide on it and talk to my family about it. We’ll see.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
