Less than 24 hours after the final horn sounded on the Jets’ Cinderella run, heads began to roll.
According to ESPN.com, five coaches won’t be returning to Rex Ryan’s staff. Assistant defensive backs coach Doug Plank was fired. Assistant quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, special teams coach Kevin O'Dea and defensive quality control coach Brian Smith had expiring contracts that were not renewed. Chuck Smith joined new Tennessee Volunteers coach Derek Dooley as the defensive line coach in Knoxville.
Smith was on the Jets’ staff as a pass-rushing consultant, and DE/OLB Calvin Pace gave the coach a lot of credit for his solid performance (8 sacks and 13 tackles for a loss in 12 games) this year.
Plank helped oversee the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense this season, but apparently did not impress enough to remain in that capacity. The former Bears safety was the inspiration for Buddy Ryan (father of Jets head coach Rex) in creating the innovative 46 defense.
DeFilippo, son of Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo, spent two years as the Raiders' quarterbacks coach, where top pick JaMarcus Russell failed to develop as much as anticipated. Even so, the Jets found a spot for DeFilippo to provide Mark Sanchez with some additional tutelage.
Considering all five coaches filled lesser roles on the staff, it is unclear who, if anyone, will be called on to replace them.
