Rex Ryan Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Star Coach

Rex Ryan's fate with the New York Jets was decided following a 4-12 season. Despite a 37-24 victory in Week 17 against Miami, the head coach was officially fired the morning of Dec. 29. He was linked to the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers before being announced as the new Bills head coach. 

Continue for updates.

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Bills Hire Ryan Following Second Interview

Monday, Jan. 12

Bills owner Terry Pegula announced Ryan's hiring on Monday morning:

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Following an extensive search, we are pleased today to announce that Rex Ryan is our new head coach. Rex brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the position that we feel will be a tremendous benefit to our players and the entire Bills organization. He was very impressive during the interview process, as were many of the candidates to which we spoke, and we feel Rex is the best fit for our team. We look forward to his leadership and expertise in directing our team to the playoffs and bringing a championship to Buffalo for our fans.

"

Yesterday, ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the Bills were expected to hire Ryan. "The Buffalo Bills are putting the finishing touches on deal that will make Rex Ryan their next head coach," ESPN.com stated. Schefter continued:

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News followed Schefter, confirming the hiring and providing insight surrounding Ryan and the Falcons:

On Saturday,, Schefter reported that Ryan was interviewed by the Bills for the second time:

WIVB's Lauren Brill has former Bills star's Andre Reed's thoughts on the Bills and Ryan:

NFL Network's Kimberly Jones noted that Ryan's first interview with the Bills was on Thursday.

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Ryan Reportedly Impresses 49ers

Thursday, Jan. 8

According to John Middlekauf of 95.7 Radio, Rex Ryan's interview in San Francisco went well:

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Ryan to Meet With CBS Wednesday

Tuesday, Jan. 6

Rex Ryan has a backup plan if he doesn't land a head coaching gig according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

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Ryan Meets With Falcons For 5 Hours

Tuesday, Jan. 6

Rex Ryan was in Atlanta on Tuesday spending the majority of his day interviewing with the Falcons according to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com:

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The Atlanta Falcons and former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan have parted ways after spending the afternoon together on Tuesday.

Ryan's interview ended after five or more hours, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports, via a source informed of their situation.

The length of the interview is proof of mutual interest, even if both parties are moving on to their next round of interviews.

The Falcons still have an interview scheduled with Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Thursday, per Rapoport.

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Bears Not Interested in Ryan

Saturday, Jan. 3

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio has the latest on Ryan:

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Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bears have no interest in Rex.

It’s unclear why the Bears aren’t interested.  Former Colts, Browns, and Giants G.M. Ernie Accorsi has been working as a consultant, and it’s possible Accorsi has advised against Buddy’s son.  Regardless, Rex won’t be the coach of the Bears, barring a dramatic change of heart.

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Ryan to Interview with 49ers, Falcons

Friday, Jan. 2

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on the current interest in Rex Ryan:

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Dolphins Reportedly Haven't Offered Ryan DC Position

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald refutes a report claiming Ryan had been offered the Miami defensive coordinator position:

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Rex Ryan has not been offered a job as the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator, a high-ranking club source told me this morning following an erroneous report to the contrary.

The National Football Post reported the Dolphins offered Ryan, the former New York Jets head coach, a multi-year deal worth $8 million to coach the Miami defense.

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Ryan Already Has Multiple Interviews Scheduled  

Tuesday, Dec. 30

One day after being fired, it is clear that Ryan will be a hot commodity on the open market as he already has interviews lined up, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com:

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Ryan and Idzik Both Fired, Ryan Linked to Falcons

Monday, Dec. 29

Jets owner Woody Johnson announced that both Rex Ryan and John Idzik were fired Monday:

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After extensive thought and reflection about the current state of our football team, this morning I informed Rex Ryan and John Idzik that they will not be returning for the 2015 season. Both Rex and John made significant contributions to the team, and they have my appreciation and gratitude for their efforts and commitment. Over the years, Rex brought the Jets a bold confidence and a couple of great post-season runs, which all of us will remember.

I am beginning our search for new football leadership, effective immediately, with guidance and support from respected football experts, including Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf, two Super Bowl winners with decades of valuable experience.

We will consider all options to improve the Jets.

Getting the Jets back on track is my top priority, and today’s decisions are important steps towards achieving our goals.

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On Sunday, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora provided insight on where Ryan could coach next:

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There is a growing thought around the league that Rex Ryan ends up in Atlanta as well—with [Arthur] Blank wanting a personality he can sell and market as he tries to sell PSLs to a new stadiums—although I continue to hear the allure of a broadcasting job is very real for him. Ryan interviewed for the Falcons job in 2009 and, sources said, did well overall with the process and left a good impression on Blank, though some involved in the process would be less inclined to endorse Ryan.

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NFL.com's Ian Rapoport also provided names of some candidates who could replace Idzik: 

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Ryan Reportedly Anticipated His Termination

Saturday, Dec. 27

Dom Cosentino of The Newark Star-Ledger was the first to report that Ryan had cleaned out his office at the Jets facility:

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Ryan has not yet been informed of his fate, a person familiar with his thinking said. But that same person also said Ryan had learned [consultant Charley] Casserly was contacting other coaching candidates, and that Ryan had already cleared out his office at One Jets Drive. ...

... With the Jets circling the drain at 3-12, Ryan appears to have accepted the inevitable.

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According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Ryan has already told people in his inner circle that he believed the Jets were going to fire him:

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Ryan told friends he expects to be fired by owner Woody Johnson, league sources said Saturday. Ryan already has begun removing items from his office, a source confirmed to ESPN.com.

The Jets (3-12) finish their bitterly disappointing season Sunday at the Miami Dolphins. On Monday, Johnson is expected to clean house by firing Ryan and embattled general manager John Idzik.

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Ryan had been the Jets' head coach for six years, amassing a sub-.500 regular-season record. In his first two seasons at the helm, though, New York went to the AFC Championship Game. The franchise hasn't made the postseason since 2010 and has posted its worst record under Ryan this season. 

While the trials of a disappointing season aren't easy for anyone to handle, especially in a market like New York, Ryan said in the lead-up to Week 17 that 2014 has taught him some valuable lessons, via Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.

“I’m proud of the fact that our guys stayed the course. But it’s been a little humbling to say the least, only winning three games,’’ Ryan said. “That’s never happened to me before."

The outspoken head coach may not be out of work for long. Eric Davis said on a recent airing of NFL AM, via Conor Orr of NFL.com, that a media venture in 2015 might be the best short-term solution for Ryan.

"The CBS morning crew next to (Bill) Cowher and Tony Gonzalez," Davis said. "You can put him in that booth right there and I'm serious, I'm not being facetious at all."

Davis also added that San Francisco and Atlanta could be attractive options if they have vacancies, though his track record as a head coach might make him better suited for a defensive-coordinator position. He served in that role for four years with Baltimore before taking over in New York. 

Cleaning house allows the Jets a chance to start fresh heading into 2015, though the roster construction under the current regime has left the franchise in a difficult spot moving forward. Ryan is partially to blame, showing a knack for building a first-class defense, but struggling to groom the offense during his tenure.

Ryan will benefit from a change of scenery. New York allowed him to make a name for himself, but this marriage took a toll on everyone.