Rex Ryan Latest Candidate to Interview as Jets Cast Wide net

The Jets have cast quite the wide net in their search for a new head coach as a former head coach interviewed today in Rex Ryan.  He becomes the third candidate the Jets have hosted for the vacant position after Ron Rivera and presumptive  future Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.

The list of names the Jets are bringing in to be their next head coach seems to grow by the hour.  From various sources, here are the names of the candidates Gang Green has reportedly requested permission to speak with.

Aaron Glenn, Lions DC: The former Jets cornerback has to be seen as a favorite for the job.  He has worked wonders since taking over as the Lions defense and wants the Jets job.  Well, at least he did two years ago when he spoke to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York and told him that the Jets would be his dream job.  Glenn has stayed in touch with Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Parcells since his playing days and has leaned on him as a mentor on his journey from low level assistant to where he is today.

Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC: Nagy has been a head coach before but fizzled out after having some early success with the Bears.  His time spent under Andy Reid may be beneficial, but as was the case with former Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, you can’t help but wonder how much any Chiefs OC is really impacting the offense with Reid running the show.

Jeff Ulbrich, Jets interim HC: This would be a courtesy interview only.  Ulbrich has been a disaster since taking over for Robert Saleh following the team’s week five loss in London to the Vikings.

Rex Ryan, former Jets/Bill head coach: Ryan brings a nostalgia factor that no other candidate does.  He was the last Jets head coach to win a playoff game (four of them, actually), but this would not be a good move.  He’s been out of the league forever, still talks far too big a game and doesn’t have many connections in terms of putting a staff together.

Josh McCown, Vikings QB Coach: McCown will likely make a great head coach one day, but this would be quite the gamble.  McCown has never called plays or held a coordinator title.  We’d love to see him added as a play caller at 1 Jets Drive, but head coach feels like a bit much.

Arthur Smith, Steelers OC: Smith bombed in Atlanta as the Falcons head coach and would quite honestly have an Adam Gase 2.0 feel.  Smith fumbled several pressers in Atlanta and couldn’t find a way to get elite running back Bijan Robinson on the field at times.

Mike Vrabel, future Patriots head coach: Vrabel interviewed with the Jets earlier in the week but was reportedly using the Jets as a chance to get the Patriots to make a move to bring him in.  It worked.  The Patriots immediately intervieed Byron Leftwich and Pep Hamilton for the job to get the Rooney Rule taken care of and are expected to have Vrabel in this week.

Ron Rivera, former Panthers/Commanders head coach: This one was a bit of a head scratcher.  Rivera has had some success, but it’s been very limited over a long career.  He’s got a Super Bowl appearance under his belt but also has just three winning seasons in thirteen campaigns.

Brian Flores, Vikings DC: The former Miami Dolphins head coach has done a fantastic job running the Vikings defense this season, but it’s hard to forget what a disaster he was in Miami.  Five offensive coordinators over a short span while reportedly doing all he could to ruin young QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Brian Griese, 49ers QB Coach: As is the case with McCown, Griese has never been a coordinator so the jump to head coach would be somewhat of a surprise.

Joe Brady, Bills OC: Viewed as one of the bright young minds in the game just a few seasons ago, Brady has done some great things in Buffalo with Josh Allen and the Bills.  He has four years experience as an OC but none as a head coach.

Vance Joseph, Broncos DC and former head coach: Joseph, a former Jets cornerback, has drawn interest from Gang Green and is an interesting candidate.  He’s had a ton of success as a coordinator and time to re-evaluate his approach as a head coach since he last held the position six years ago.

Bobby Slowik, Texans OC: Jets fans would obviously be thrilled to add a coach from the offensive side of the ball who has had success  with a young quarterback.  Slowik fits that description.

Darren Rizzi, Saints interim HC: Rizzi did a decent job of coaching through a bad situation this year and is viewed as a top special teams coach.  It’s a surprise name but far from the worst on the list.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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