Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has interviewed for the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator vacancy, as first reported by CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson on Wednesday.
The Cowboys are in need of filling the position after their former coordinator, Dan Quinn, took a job with Dallas’ NFC East rival, the Washington Commanders as their new head coach.
Ryan hasn’t held a coaching position in the NFL of any capacity since 2016, which was the final year of his unsuccessful two-year stint as Buffalo Bills head coach where he went 15-16.
The 61-year-old spent the previous six seasons as Jets head coach where he became famous for his demonstrative antics both on the sidelines and in the press — earning the job after a highly successful run as defensive coordinator of the vaunted Baltimore Ravens.
Early returns generated immediate success. Ryan led the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, both of which ended in losses. He’s the last Jets head coach to make the playoffs, as the team has gone 13 years without a postseason berth.
Over his final four seasons with Gang Green, Ryan went 26-38, including a 4-12 campaign in 2014 that resulted in his firing.
Since leaving the NFL, he has worked as an in-studio analyst for ESPN’s football coverage.
For more on Rex Ryan and the Jets, visit AMNY.com
