Where Could Rex Ryan Go After New York Jets?

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan walks to the lockerroom after the Jets were shutout 31-0 against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

While the New York Jets insist the job security of Rex Ryan won’t be decided mid season, it’s fair to ask what awaits the veteran coach in 2015.

Geno Smith decision likely the final straw

Nobody can debate the success Ryan had early during his Jets tenure.  Two-straight AFC championship appearances is a lot more than other coaches have done for Gang Green.  Still, if anything will be pointed at as the catalyst for why Ryan is likely fired at the end of the season, it will center around his decisions at quarterback.  First of course was trading up for Mark Sanchez which wasn’t a disaster in the beginning but never proved worth the price they paid.  However the bigger blunder was Geno Smith.  Unquestionable talented as an athlete, it didn’t take long before scouts soured on his ability as a quarterback.  They believed his eyes weren’t quick enough for the NFL.  Yet the Jets took him in the second round anyway.  The results speak for themselves.

Philadelphia Eagles head list of possible coordinator jobs

So assuming the season plays out as expected and Rex Ryan is sent packing, what awaits him during the 2015 off-season?  If he thinks it’s another head coaching job, at least in the NFL, he’s dreaming.  There is of course the college route but that is not likely.  What is likely is that Ryan will be in extremely high demand as a coordinator.  He remains one of the most respected defensive minds in the business and a slew of teams will seek him out to fix their problems on that side of the ball.

Among those who could be interested include the Philadelphia Eagles.  Their head coach Chip Kelly loves to run a 3-4 style scheme but as of late his defenses are struggling.  The Eagles rank 28th overall and 25th in points allowed.  Offense has covered that up thus far but will likely prove a big problem later in the year.  Then there are the Chicago Bears.  Thus far their efforts at significant defensive improvement from last year are negligible and many are fed up with the efforts of current coordinator Mel Tucker.  Ryan is of course a legacy there, since his father Buddy helped the team win a Super Bowl.

Suffice to say that while he won’t be a head coach again anytime soon, Rex Ryan has a future beyond the New York Jets.