Jets Head-Coaching Searches I Have Known
Posted by on January 17, 2009 – 4:42 pmTom Petty was right. (Tom Petty’s always right.) The waiting is the hardest part.
I’ve been a part of these head-coaching waits when I was on the outside looking in (Little Anthony was right, too) as a Jets beatwriter from 1994-2006. But as a beatwriter, to be more accurate, the waiting wasn’t the only hard part.
The other equally difficult element of an NFL head-coaching search is going to sleep at night thinking you’ve got that day’s story nailed, then waking up the next morning to find you didn’t quite have it nailed, or someone else nailed it differently and perhaps better.
My first head-coaching watch I remember being an easy one. Then-Jets owner Leon Hess removed Pete Carroll as the Jets’ head coach after only one year. But there was no dog-and-pony interview process in early 1995. Hess knew who he wanted from the beginning and that was Richie Kotite, who Hess remembered "busted a gut" trying to get plays down from his coach’s box to the field when he was a Jets assistant.
Two years later Kotite "stepped aside" after his two Jets teams went a combined 4-28, and again there wasn’t much of coaching search intrigue. Hess, who as a kid used to go clamming on the shores of Asbury Park, N.J., knew what he had to do: reel in the Big Tuna.
But there was intrigue, and it had to do with the New England Patriots not wanting to let Bill Parcells go to their division rivals. This all led to some great NFL theater on Feb. 3, when Bill Belichick was introduced as the Jets’ new head coach alongside a microphone on the table next to him, which was connected telephonically to the team’s new consultant, Parcells, at a remote location.
Eight days later, Hess, Pats owner Bob Kraft and then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue hammered out the matter in a New York City office. The Jets gave up four draft picks, the Pats gave up any hold to Parcells.
Hess before he died went 1-for-3. He probably should’ve kept Carroll. Kotite didn’t work out. But Parcells was Parcells.
The BP era of Jets football was too short, three seasons. Then as Woody Johnson was about to come aboard as the new owner in early 2000, Parcells announced his retirement and was attempting to contractually turn the football controls over to Belichick. But BB had other designs than to become the H.C. of the N.Y.J. And the hunt was on again.
I recall writing, once Belichick resigned after one day as Jets head coach, that many good candidates were available, among them Marty Schottenheimer, Gary Kubiak and Jets assistants Dan Henning, Maurice Carthon and Al Groh.
Parcells listened to the new owner and decided to stay on as general manager for a year, and recommended to Johnson that it was time to Groh. So that coaching search didn’t take long.
But it was good for less than a year, until I broke the story in the days after the end of the 2000 season that Groh was leaving the Jets after one season to coach at the University of Virginia.
On to the next coaching search, this time with Terry Bradway as the Jets’ new GM. Bradway interviewed four candidates: Carthon, Ted Cottrell, Dom Capers and Herm Edwards. Even though the search was on for three weeks, Edwards was the frontrunner from the beginning, in part because of his previous relationship with Bradway in Kansas City and in part because of the incredible energy he brought to his first head-coaching job.
"I heard him on the radio while I was driving in my car,” wide receiver Wayne Chrebet said at the time. "He made me want to strap on my helmet, stop on the side of the road and start hitting things. It was a ‘Remember the Titans’ kind of motivational speech.”
Five years later, in early 2006, Edwards had moved on to Kansas City and Bradway and assistant GM Mike Tannenbaum began an ambitious search for a replacement. The list contained Jim Haslett, Mike Tice, Tim Lewis and Joe Vitt, along with Jets assistants Mike Westhoff, Mike Heimerdinger and Donnie Henderson.
But the frontrunner this time was Eric Mangini, who had decade-long ties with Tannenbaum, and so after another three weeks of interviews and dinners and discussions, Mangini took over the Green & White reins. And we had no coaching searches for three years. Until now.
This is the first one that I’ve been behind the scenes for, and no question the view from here is better. There are some things that the reporters have gotten right, some they’ve gotten wrong. I don’t have to be mixing it up in that arena anymore, especially since the arena has inexorably changed from an AM/PM news cycle into a 24/7 cycle, during which anything you’ve written about, blogged, said or thought is in danger of momentarily becoming yesterday’s news. I don’t envy my former brethren.
Everyone’s entitled to his or her opinion, but I can say that those criticizing the direction or completeness or rigor of this search are out in left field. You may agree or disagree with who’s been interviewed or not, but from what I’ve seen there is no question that Woody Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum want to win and want to find the right man to help them and the Jets do that and they have been thorough and diligent in attacking this task. "Under every rock" doesn’t just apply to players.
And SOJ? That acronym means nothing. As Paul Newman repeated several times in "The Verdict," turning tired repetition into a mantra: "There is no other case. This is the case." For Jets fans, consider that there is no other search. This is the search.
And perhaps in a few days, or two weeks and a few days, it will be over. And the Jets, with a new skipper at the helm, will sail into the future.
Reports: Rams Hire Spagnuolo
According to reports out of St.. Louis this afternoon, the Rams have hired Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo to be their new head coach. Spagnuolo had interviewed twice with the Jets, most recently Tuesday with Johnson and Tannenbaum at Johnson’s Manhattan offices.
Tags: Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells, Eric Mangini, Herm Edwards, Leon Hess, Mike Tannenbaum, Pete Carroll, Terry Bradway, Woody Johnson
Posted in Randy Lange | 85 Comments »
By Tom on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Jon Gruden, next coach for the Jets???? Which means Favre back for one more year
By stephen for S.I. on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Hey Randy did you think Mr. T and Woody are gonna bring Gruden in for an interview?
By fred form philly on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Well with the news that Spags is going to the Rams ,that probably means that Ryan is our next HC of the NYJ. I hope he can bring a big time defense to the Jets because despite the Sack Exchange the Jets have never had a truly dominant defense. I still wonder for how quickly they fired Mangini if this really was the plan or did Woody think a call to Cohwer was all that was needed .Lets Go Jets !!!
By Randy Lange on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
stephen, I just don’t know.
By Dr. G on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Gruden(hc) for the offense/Crenell(Asst hc/def coord) for the defense! ‘
Don’t buy any more cotton swabs till Woody makes it happen!
By The Riles on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
I heard that Cowher may STILL be interested. It will take a pretty nice package and a sincere meeting with Woody Johnson, but this deal may not be dead.
By anorene on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
I think they fired the wrong guy!
By Darrell on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan.
By Vince De Rosa on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Gruden is not the answer….That Super win was his gift from Dunghy. A Jet he should not be.
By william hobbs on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
HEY RANDY,
What do the sources say how serious is Brett Favre’s surgery? Also is Brett Favre a type of player who could run a “check with me offense?,” meaning a player who would rather make the calls rather than letting the coach make the decisions all of the time?
By Kevin on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Call to Cohwer, a call was never made because Woody was on vacation and didn’t think it was to important. Non football people should be involved in first interview. And that certainly pertains to Mr. T. an accountant who knows how to handle the cap. Okay, sure he brought in some proven players via free agency, but thats easy considering thay are already proven. I don’t know what to expect.
By favre4ever on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
whoever the coach is they need to encourage brett 2 come back
By Jim on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Definetly Gruden, we need a coach that has a similar fortitude as Parcells. Not a cover my face and cry type of coach.
By Justin on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Hey Randy
Where can I post my resume so that I can be considered for the Head Coach job??
I could be the first ever Australian Head Coach in the NFL!!
By Randy Lange on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
william, I have no information on Brett Favre’s medical condition. I’m sure he could run any offense he was told to run.
By Frank on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Well Tanwoody has clearly made their choice and it is Ryan. Lets hope he brings Kokinis and one of his top three linebackers with him and I will be excited. Sorry Tannenbaum you need to move up and hire a football guy for GM. Rumor has it Mangini is pushing Lerner to hire Kokinis and we can’t let that happen. This guy is one of the best personnel evaluators in the business Tanwoody must hire him.
By Drew on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
The Carroll-Kotite years might have been my most horrible years as a Jet fan.I dont go back to the 60′s and late 70′s likes some others here but from the Marino spike until Parcells walked in the door were awful….It seems like most of the regular Radarheads are on board with Rex….I am pretty fired up about Ryan. As most know I was a Mangini guy but I have wanted Rex since they let my guy walk.
By Joe from S.I. on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Randy, does it really matter who Gang Green brings in as our HC? We are the Jets, we will always find a way to lose.Regardless of what coaches we have they will always make head scratching play calls especially on 3rd down; when the run is working we throw and vice versa.Most successful franchise have stability with the same head coach and QB, when will we have this stability?Draft a 1st round QB!
By Bill on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
Has Brian Billicks name even been mentioned seriously in the last few weeks?
By stephen from S.I. on Jan 17, 2009 | Reply
If you we’re Woody would you want to bring him in for an interview??
By sal on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
if your right randy which I do think they meaning Woody and his puppet want to win. what is their record since taking over, oh yea I believe that was the year after this team went to the Afc dance, they may want to win, but knowing how is a different beast, please post woodys and mikes record for the record, including playoffs thanks
By Next Jets Coach on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I hope they don’t have another Mangina on their hands. We need someone that can pump green blood.
DECLINED: NAMECALLING (MANGINA)
By Section310 on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
The Jets need to get “Chucky” now! Whatever it takes. And they need to cut OLD #4 loose. In his own words he “just gave out”. What happens next season when he’s a year older? How about making a play for Matt Leinhart? The Cards don’t seem to need him. He’s got to have some untapped potential.
By Brent on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
what about gruden.he would be awesome!!!!!jets..give it time.ok.we would go somewhere if we got a vet like gruden that has proved he can go all the way.he would be the best right now.i dont like ryan b ecause hes another mangini.a d corrdinator that has no head coaching experice.
By Lorenzo on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Jon Gruden as new Head coach and Matt Cassel as new starting quarterback!!
We need experience in the coach position and a young talented quarterback, not the opposite!
By rjp1130 on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Yes Jets, please hire Gruden and destroy the franchise once and for all.
By Doug on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
GRUDEN, GRUDEN, GRUDEN. We need a head coach that understands the QB position and Gruden is that man.
By Jimmy Cheese on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Randy, a key point you made, that some recent choices the Jets made for Head Coach were based on personal relationships between the candidate and GM. Just another reason why this team can’t find a Coach that stays with us for more than 3 years. I hope the next choice they make puts in at least 10. That’s what this team needs… stability. It’s getting really hard to be a fan of the Jets.
By jetfan5 on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I think they need to let brett go,you can only sit there and watch and hope he doesn’t throw a pick! bring on gruden! we need so toughness!
By tomjeffs on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
1. will Brett Favre return as a cheesecakehead next year?
2. will he bring back Mike Holmgren with him?
3. will the “wait-until-next-year” Jets finally beat the now 41 year old curse of the Weeb?
By MikeMc on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
A stout Defense, decent run game & a great punter is all we need to be a playoff team every year. Shotty tries to be cute with the play calling, Favre likes to throw the ball up for grabs, neither way will work with my stated philosophy. Therefore our coach should be strong willed defense oriented, not Gruden,Grimm or Shotty. Northeast football in the elements, know what you are, as Parcells says.
By jetson on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
doesnt much matter who the coach is if they can’t get a good quarterback.
By Scott on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
There are veryt very experienced, proven winners in NFL coaching who become available while still fresh (unlike Joe Gibbs, for example). They generally have a high rate of success again(Shula leaving Colts; Parcells, etc.). Gruden is a proven winner and has the fortitude for New York. He will establish a team identity. As for Favre…absolutely no way. Retire. The Brett we may need is Ratliff.
By Ira on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Randy, Forget about Tom Petty. This story is more like The Beatles The Long and Winding Road. Amazing that the Jets are going on their 4th HC since 2000. Hopefully this will be the last search say for 8-10 years. While i was hoping for Schotty ,Ryan will be an interesting coach. The complete opposite of Eric and maybe thats what this team needs. Lets GO STEELERS!!!!
By hannel on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
i dont want gruden as the head coach he wont bring enuff intensity to the team we need a coach who will be rough on the players a coach like rex ryan he would deffinetly help our deffence with the blitz and we need that gruden is just not the guy.
By Mike Jet Vet on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
All you fans negative on Gruden & saying he won SB with Dungys guys ? Well guess when he brought Oakland to the SB right before that it was some 1 else’s guys also do your homework 1st then your comments… Gruden will make a better coach then any assistant with lot less talent then we have go 4 it woody
By Billy on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
We should hire Jason Garrett from the Cowboys!!
By CEDRIC on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
The Job is Rex’s.
By Mike Jet Vet on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Cont,,Point being Dungy couldn’t win SB with his guys Grunden did & took Oakland there a year or 2 before .Next if it weren’t for Peyton Manning & Tom Moore the OC of the colts Dungy’s fate would be the same result as Tampa let go .Gruden is a tough hard nose no nonsense guy knows how to coach them up.. Good fit for this team & players thats what we need here like I said all year no guts no glory
By AL KWIATKOWSKI on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Mr.Lange, Two names and here they are. Marty Shotenhiemer and Matt Cassel. Favre must not come back. Cassel would be a exellent fit. Brett is not our now or future. Bring the these two into our huddle and gang green will get over the playoff HUMP
By Big Ed on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
D-REXASAURUS DEFENSE!!! CONFIDENT, COCKY, SMASH MOUTH!!! Go REX!!!
By Anonymous on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
whoever the new coach is, leave farve at home, he ruined our chances by sucking the last 5 games…
DECLINED: VULGARITY (SUCKING)
By sal on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
what i would like to see, some one in the press look at teams that are rolling along, and then quit. ie jets ,tampa, buffalo etc. i know alot of the time its injuries, but w/ teams like the jets, and Tampa, injuries may not of been an issue, no one relly got at the hearrt of this teams collaspe or failure to correct it. that needs to be answered before they move foward, can someone answer this
By TnJetsFan on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I just hope the Jets give Ryan the power to hire who HE wants for OC and DC, and NOT have to settle for hand picked Brian Shottenheimer. I hope Shotty lives up to his threat and quits after Ryan gets the job. I want this coach to be free to be his OWN man. I think Ryan will instill the kind of personality the Jets have been lacking throughout their history.
By Ray on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Ex you should take your own advice and do your homework before commenting too. Gruden has only been to one super bowl, none with oakland. Callahan took Gruden’s boys there the same year Gruden took Dungy’s.
By mike on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
you can’t hire a offensive minded coach, look at our division. We play 5 or 6 games in ugly conditions. All other AFC east teams that have success have running games and defense to win. We don’t want Billick, Garrett, Mariucci, Gruden, we need a Parcells. An ugly win is a win. Build a defense and a running game and control the ball and let the rest take care of it self. REX RYAN is our man.
By Moyvore on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
According to some news reports, Bill Belichick asked if he could have his HC NYJ job back after he lost his lawsuit to be free of his contract. He was told that it was too late because the Jets were in contract negotations with Al Groh.
If Woody knew then what he knows now (Parcells was an unreliable gypsy; Groh would also cut and run), he would have at least talked to Belichick.
By jak, 25 wk jet fan on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
after the denver [im hurt ,stay down stop drive] loss.a more experienced coaching staff might have been able to keep this team motivated, and confident.mangini didnt do too bad for a new coach.he needed a win at all cost attitude.[go for it on4th and short n red zone ,sub 4 favre when errattic ect]
By Mike Miller on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
JETS Coaches And FANS…I Vote We Go After John Gruden, I THink He Would Bring Life To This Team, And Maybe Just That Spark We Need To Get Our Team Turned Around And In The Right Direction. …Whats The Worst That Could Happen???? We Have Another Normal NEw York Season???? Lets Go After John Gruden!!!!!!!!!!
By Mike Miller on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!JOHN GRUDEN FOR NYJ COACH 2009!!!!
By Drew on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Come’on Ex fan….You cant start throwing out really bad football knowledge to try and make your points again. Ray has already corrected you but that is such a bad job. Get your facts straight already…..I dont hate Gruden but you killed Mangini for his late season collapse and now want to hire a guy who hasnt won a playoff game in 6 years and just collapsed worst than we did?
By Ira on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
The first FA player i go after is Leonard from the Ravens. Its halftime and the Ravens are lucky to be down only 13-6. Should 20-6 or more. The Ryan era will start when this game ends.
By frank levan on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
the jets coach for next season should be john gruden. our qb for next season should be cassel from new england. lets face facts you want championships start spending some money. brett farve is too old and washed up. we need young talent. there is young talent out there but you guys are to cheap to after them. if your going to blame anyone about not making the playoffs blame your self.
By Joe on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Go Steelers! The sooner the Ravens lose, the sooner we can get our coach.
By sam on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
PLEASE JETS! PLEASE PICK UP MIKE SHANAHAN
By Rick S on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I think the performance that Baltimore gave against the Steallers proves that a good defense alone can’t win championship games. You need a high powered offense like New England, the Colts, or the Giants. Ryan is not your man! Keep looking! And without Favre, the Jets are toast for next year. Maybe that is the reason they are having a problem finding a coach.
By Frank W on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
My parents are season ticket holding die hard Bucs fans and I’ll I’ve heard for the past few years is Chuckie Chuckie! Gruden needs to go coach a high school somewhere, not come and kill the Jets.
By Justin on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Hey randy
I Didnt think my last comment was that offensive that it would not make the cut…. What Jets fan wants an Australian Coach?? At the very least, I can teach the boys how to
1: Tackle
2: Catch a ball.
Please let me know where I can send my resume ( or CV)…… :-)
By Karl from the Keys on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
All you Jets fans are nothing but traumatized losers after my Fins and your ex-Jet, Chad, stomped you and your one year interception proned wonder boy, Farve for the division title. Face it: you miss the Tuna, blew it letting Chad go and now are a ship at sea missing its’ rudder. Go Fins!!!
By steve on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
you need to look past favre and pick up a qb in the off season dont get me wrong he is a good qb but we dont need the 21 ints agean next year and we need a better defense cord beacuse are defense is good but still a lot of room for inprovmint
By Randy Lange on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Justin, your comment was fine and was posted shortly after I received it at 8:16 p.m. EST on Saturday under the Radar entry headlined “Jets Head-Coaching Searches I Have Known.”
By Jets Fan since '64 Tom on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Hey Karl, enjoy watching Chad squeak out near-heart attack wins against the few weak teams on the Fins ’09 schedule and get trounced by everybody else. After all those injuries, he throws like he’s been playing at least five years longer. If the Fins are foolish enough to think Chad’s the future, they’ll do at best like this year, at worst like his last with the Jets. Have fun with that!
By john (stej1) on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
i have been a jet fan for 35 years i dont have to tell what i have gone through. there is a proven winner out there in john gruden please tell me they are considering him and not going after another good assistant that might be good. the jets need intensity, discipline and a proven leader. this is a no b rainer, we must get chucky. and we should beg brett to come back. from stej1
By Bill from the 'Burg on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Wow. I must have watched a different game when the Dullphins “stomped” the Jets… I love how some fans get so pumped up about winning a mediocre division and losing pathetically in the wild card round of the playoffs.
By Don M. on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Rex, bring Terrell Suggs with you.
By Kevin C on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
So it looks like Rex as HC. Hopefully the Jets pick right for once. Sooner or later you would think the broken clock will be right. Hopefully he will grow into the job because it is his 1st. Hopefully he can guide this team which is a tall order for a guy who has never done it before. Hopefully this can be the answer. I hope alot because thats all I have as a Jet fan. Again they got it wrong?maybe
By chris on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
try for cowart, marty, jon shanahan, please anybody with a ring or a proven record please
By JET 4 LIFE on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
hey Flipper good luck with Chad next season you got a taste of the reality that stares you in the eye in 09 brother! he will do nothing. P.S did you like the 4 INT he left you with till spring,the wild cat is done and so is your run. so enjoy your 1 season wonder.and P.S you “doll -fans” are a joke get a new “phrase” and try to fill a stadium before you come in here with your cheap lip service !!!
By PFerd on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Karl we did not blow it dumping Chad. The boy never produced for the Jets. He spent more time nursing injuries in NY then he did making big plays. Karl the future face of your team is a broken rudder. The equation is simple Chad + Miami Minnows = heartbreak in Florida.
By Rich on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
This is what i was hoping for the whole time… REX RYAN our new head coach!!!!!!! now we can maybe have an elite defense and make the playoffs and maybe a run in the playoffs…. this is of course depending on who we put in the QB position. I am the first one to say it…. our next starting QB will be Mcnabb. call me crazy now but dont call me lucky if it happens.
By The Rick on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Mark my words fellow Jet fans, as I’ve already said: Rex Ryan for 3 years of missery, then start all over AGAIN!!
By Mike V on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Randy, what is going on with Favre? I think he is coming back – regardless of what everyone thinks – and I really hope he does. He is our best chance to win now. What is your best guess on his return?
By Mike in NJ on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Wow Karl!! Brave guy coming around here after Chad laid an egg in a big game. Just an FYI… The Dullfins and Jets both won the same # of playoff games this year… 0!!!!! Wait till next year Karl.. Maybe you’ll beat us in one game and maybe your boring website will have a forum on it LOL!!!!
By MikeMc on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Great job Ray & Drew for slapping Mike The Ex down with his idiotic comments, again.
By Randy Lange on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
I haven’t heard anything either way, Mike V. The signs point to a Brett retirement but I wouldn’t rule out a return.
By Row on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
I don’t mean to be negative, but I think the focus is once again a bit off. Sutten is still the Defensive Coordinator for this team, and for us to win, that MUST change!! Anyone with me?
By schuyler on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
YES!!! We got Rex!!!!!
By Critchy on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
I’m with you Row, Suttan must go. Not sure why they or any team would hire a head coach and not allow him to bring in his own staff, his guys. At least have a say in who he brings in. Like the hire! rex is respected by players so im sure quality players will now want to come to NYJ and maybe we wont have to break the bank for them. Very good hire!!
By Vincent on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
Well, love the choice or not, RR is here. I know that from now until the first half dozen games of the 2009 season, I’ll be grinding my teeth waiting to see whether it will be a winning decade of Gang Green or just more endless gangrene…
By OriginalJetFan on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
Step in right direction, but for next year Favre returning will only be good if he participates religiously in an off season conditioning program. If he doesn’t come back, do we get someone semi-proven or roll the dice with Ratcliff or Ainge (definitly not Clemons)? Any thoughts Randy on the draft and what you think our best move is there?
By Randy Lange on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
Way too early for me, OriginalJetFan. But I’m sure Coach Ryan will be asked about that at his introductory news conference Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. on newyorkjets.com (plug).
By Sindrew on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
I know Brett isn’t a popular guy right now but he is our best chance for 2009 assuming he stays healthy. I want him back. Randy, do you know if any of the players are talking to him and telling him to come back?
By Randy Lange on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
Sindrew, I don’t know that. But ESPN’s Chris Mortensen had some interesting takes on Favre when he talked with Eric Allen and myself on a “Jets Two-Minute Drive” that will be on our site this evening.
By john on Jan 21, 2009 | Reply
I really wanted gruden but after watching the interview today how can you not like this guy, He brings the intensity and attitude we have not seen since the tuna i feel real good about this. I think Mr. johnson hit a homerun with this choice. Thank you for giving us something to be excited about. I cant wait untill they report. I WILL PROBABLY BE AT EVERY PRACTICE. SEE YA STEJ1
By Michael Savage on Mar 18, 2009 | Reply
I think I am going to kill myself over the Jets. All I want is one clean run at the SuperBowl. The Jets have to be the most laughed at team in the league.
The only great thing about being a Jet fan is that you always get to see allot of them, mainly in NFL bloopers and blunders. Hopw can they consistantly be so bad? How can they manage to make you think they might be respectable and then fall off