Rex Ryan has been on the hot seat all season, but he’ll stay in New York after all.
Jets owner Woody Johnson announced after Sunday’s 20-7 win over the Miami Dolphins that Ryan would return as the head coach next season. Ryan is under contract through 2014.
A dismal end to the 2012 season triggered major changes to the Jets’ front office, but Ryan received another chance to retain his job. He made good on it, leading the Jets to a 8-8 finish and posting a 4-2 record in the AFC East.
Ryan was seen as a lame-duck coach coming into the season, with the Jets expected to be among the worst teams in the NFL. Ryan even recently told his players that he was likely to be fired at the end of the season. However, Ryan put together one of the NFL’s best defenses this season and helped rookie quarterback Geno Smith develop, which might have changed opinions within the organization.
Jets general manager John Idzik is pushing Ryan to make changes to his defensive coaching staff, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported. Dennis Thurman is in his first season as the team’s defensive coordinator, and Ryan might be reluctant to part with him, especially after the success he forged on defense.
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