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Here’s the latest news and buzz as the Jets search for a new head coach…
Jan. 2, 7:35 p.m.
After reports stated Ron Rivera would interview for the Jets’ head coach vacancy on Thursday, the team confirmed they have completed an interview with the veteran coach.
Rivera, 62, is the first candidate to interview for the position.
Rivera was a head coach for both the Panthers and Commanders from 2022-2023, with Washington being his most recent stop. His most successful seasons were in Carolina where he took the team to the Super Bowl in 2015 and won Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015.
Dec. 31, 3:35 p.m.
Former Washington and Carolina head coach Ron Rivera will interview for the Jets’ vacant head coaching job on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
Rivera, 62, will become the first candidate to interview.
It was reported earlier this week that the Jets intended to interview Rivera, who hasn’t coached since the 2023 season with Washington, but was the NFL Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015 with the Panthers.
Dec. 30, 2:25 p.m.
Mike Vrabel didn’t land a head coaching job last offseason, so he spent the season as a coaching and personnel consultant with the Cleveland Browns.
But Vrabel’s consulting gig in Cleveland reportedly ended on Monday, meaning he is immediately available to interview with other clubs.
According to SNY NFL Insider Connor Hughes, three teams to watch when it comes to potentially hiring Vrabel are the Jets, Bears, and Raiders.
Vrabel has previously expressed interest in coaching the Jets, with ESPN’s Rich Cimini saying earlier this month that Vrabel would need to be on board with the team’s general manager hire to consider taking the job in New York.
Dec. 30, 9:58 a.m.
The Jets will interview Ron Rivera for their head coaching job, per multiple reports.
Rivera, 62, was the head coach of Washington from 2020 to 2023.
Before that stint, he was the head coach of the Panthers from 2011 to 2019.
Jeff Ulbrich has been serving as New York’s interim head coach since Robert Saleh was fired in October, but is not expected to be under serious consideration for the full-time job.
With Rivera expected to interview this week, it means the Jets will be starting their head coaching interviews before their new GM is in place.
The search to replace Joe Douglas is ongoing.
Dec. 30, 8:55 a.m.
Rex Ryan expects to talk with Gang Green about its impending vacancy after the regular season ends, he said Monday during an appearance on ESPN New York radio.
Ryan, 62, coached the Jets from 2009 to 2014, a span that included back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship Game after the 2009 and 2010 seasons, where New York fell to the Colts and then Steelers. The Jets have not been back to the playoffs since their AFC title game loss to Pittsburgh in January of 2011.
After being fired by the Jets following the 2014 season, Ryan was the head coach of the Bills from 2015 to 2016, but has been out of the NFL for nearly a decade.
Ryan has been a regular critic of the Jets while working as a commentator for ESPN.
He was also clear recently about his desire to return to the team.
Speaking on Pardon My Take in November after the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh, Ryan threw his hat in the ring.
“I’d like to, there’s no doubt about it,” Ryan said about a possible second stint as Jets head coach. “I’ve let everyone know that I definitely would be interested in that job, even though I’ve got a great gig.
“I think I have some unfinished business, especially with that franchise. That particular franchise, you know my dad was there forever, he won a Super Bowl, and it’s super close to me. I would get back in it if I thought I could make a difference — and I think I could make a big difference with that team.”
Dec. 5, 11:20 a.m.
The Jets have long stressed a defensive indentity, as five of their past six head coaches entered the coveted job with years of experience coaching that side of the ball. But if the franchise wants to find an offensive-minded leader, there’s a name floating around that only few expected to utter.
While recently speaking on his Flight Desk podcast, ESPN reporter Rich Cimini hinted that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can be considered a “darkhorse candidate” for the Jets’ job. Cimini supported the claim by noting how ex-Jets head coach Robert Saleh wanted Smith on his coaching staff last season, to supervise the offense and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Smith, who joined the Steelers’ coaching staff in February, spent three frustrating seasons as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons (2021-23). He compiled a mediocre 21-30 record, failed to make the playoffs, and implemented an ineffective scheme. In 2021, the Falcons’ offense ranked 29th in yards and 26th in points. The situation didn’t improve, either — the unit ranked 26th in points again last year, despite having a superstar talent in rooking running back Bijan Robinson.
The Falcons fired Smith last offseason, and since joining the Steelers, their offense has produced some mixed results. While the rushing offense currently ranks ninth (133.1 yards per game) in the league, they’ve scored on just 44 percent of red zone trips.
Dec. 4, 3:30 p.m.
While the Jets prepare for their fourth head coaching search in the past decade, a handful of potential candidates are coming to the forefront. And one of the most popular names has only been away from the sideline for a year.
During the latest episode of ESPN’s Flight Desk podcast, Jets reporter Rich Cimini mentioned that former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has already expressed interest in the job to others. But, there’s one important stipulation — he must be on board with who the franchise selects as its next general manager.
Vrabel, who spent six seasons as the Titans’ head coach (2018-2023), compiled a 54-45 regular-season record with four winning campaigns and three playoff appearances. The height of his success came in 2019, as the team unexpectedly reached the AFC Championship Game. Tennessee finished with losing records in his last two seasons, and he was fired in Jan. 2024.
If the Jets want another defensive-minded leader, Vrabel’s certainly an appealing option. The Titans averaged 21.8 points allowed during his tenure, and finished top-10 in the category twice. He’ll be in high demand, however, with the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and possibly other teams joining the coaching carousel in the coming weeks. Vrabel went unhired last offseason, and joined the Cleveland Browns as a consultant back in March.
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