New York Jets Head Coach Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position
The New York Jets have reportedly finished their head coach search, after firing Rex Ryan on Dec. 29, by hiring Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Other candidates included former Bills head coach Doug Marrone, current Jets assistant Anthony Lynn, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Seattle assistant Tom Cable, Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, UCLA coach Jim Mora Jr. and Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
Continue for updates.
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Bowles Reportedly Named Jets Head Coach
Tuesday, Jan. 13
ESPN's Adam Schefter announces the latest on Bowles and the Jets:
Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo reported the Jets would have the first opportunity to conduct a second interview with Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, despite NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reporting yesterday that the Jets would meet with Bowles after he met with the Falcons on Wednesday.
Yesterday, ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported New York would interview Bowles again.
On Jan. 11, Rapoport reported that Bowles had emerged as a favorite for the position with Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Bowles has been linked to the job since Jan. 5 when Brian Costello of the New York Post confirmed Bowles would interview with New York on Jan. 7.
Sean McDermott Interview with Jets Cancelled
Tuesday, Jan. 13
Brian Costello of the New York Post reported the Jets cancelled their interview with Sean McDermott.
McDermott was expected to interview on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.
Fox Declines Interview With Jets
Monday, Jan. 12
The Denver Broncos parted ways with head coach John Fox on Monday, but don't expect him to become the New York Jets' next coach according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:
Quinn Joins Bowles as Leading Candidate for Jets' HC Position
Sunday, Jan. 11
"Where do #Jets stand with their coaching candidates: Dan Quinn and Todd Bowles have emerged above the others. May still talk to Gary Kubiak," reported NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported additional details surrounding the Jets' urgency regarding Quinn, while also providing his own opinion on the possible hiring:
"The New York Jets were prepared to fly to Seattle immediately after Saturday night's game if the Seattle Seahawks had lost to try to hire Dan Quinn as their head coach, according to sources.
[...]
Quinn likely will receive multiple offers, a source told ESPN.com's Rich Cimini, so it's premature to say he's a lock for the Jets. However, he has strong ties to New Jersey. He grew up in Morristown, a few miles from the Jets' facility, and has family in the area. He was a Jets assistant in 2007 and 2008.
"
"The Jets' target is Seattle DC Dan Quinn. They want him 'badly,' per source," Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com later noted.
If Quinn is indeed heading to the Jets, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported who would likely end up being the GM:
On Friday, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported on the Jets' pursuit of Quinn:
"Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the most coveted head coaching candidate on the market who has interviewed with five teams, has told friends that the Jets are his top choice, according to sources. The Jets have strong interest in bringing Quinn aboard.
Quinn, who interviewed with Jets brass last week in Seattle, wants Kyle Shanahan, who parted ways with the Browns on Thursday, to be his offensive coordinator in New York, sources said.
Quinn has told friends that he would like former Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik, who has been an ESPN analyst for the past year, to join the operation. The Jets have reached out to Dominik for a possible role, but have not yet scheduled an interview, according to sources.
"
On Dec. 29, the day Ryan was fired by the Jets, Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo and Cimini stated Quinn was already a leading candidate.
On Dec. 31, Albert Breer of NFL.com noted Quinn would first interview with the Jets on Jan. 2.
Marrone Unlikely to Join Team
Friday, Jan. 9
"It is less likely that former Bills coach Doug Marrone, who interviewed last weekend, will be the next head coach, according to a source," reported Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News on Jan. 9.
On Jan. 4, CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported Marrone was expected to be named the new Jets head coach, while also explaining how Marrone could have impacted the Jets' search for a new general manager too:
"The Jets general manager search just happens to be littered with candidates who have ties -- and in some cases very strong ones -- to Doug Marrone, who became a free agent... when he exercised an out clause in Buffalo. The Jets are already deep into their GM search, and they met with Marrone on [Jan. 3]
[...]
Jets owner Woody Johnson is prepared to have the process wrapped up... with top general manager candidate Mike Maccagnan of the Texans interviewing on [Jan. 5]. Maccagnan might have the closest ties of all to Marrone as the two men have become very close since their time together in the long defunct World League of American Football, with Maccagnan signing Marrone to be the quarterback of the London Monarchs back in 1991. Suffice to say, there would be an eagerness to work together again, and Maccagnan is very well thought of by Charley Casserly, who is one of the advisors to Johnson in the process and who hired Maccagnan in Washington and then brought him to Houston when Casserly was named general manager there.
"
On Dec. 31, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Bronx native Marrone was the front-runner to win the job.
Reich to Interview Wednesday
Tuesday, Jan. 6
Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego provides an update on Reich's pursuit of the Jets' head coach position:
Mark Maske of the Washington Post first reported on Jan. 1 Reich was being pursued.
Mora Has Not Agreed to Meet Jets, Team Has Interest
Tuesday, Jan. 6
John Taylor of College Football Talk provides an update from Mora, who denies the rumors surrounding the Jets:
"During an interview on the Rich Eisen Show Tuesday morning, Mora denied that he has an interview scheduled with the Jets. He also went so far as to claim, the Orange County Register writes, “that neither he nor his agent, Jimmy Sexton, have made any overtures to NFL teams who happen to be searching for a new coach.
[...]
“I’ve never wavered from saying I’m very happy at UCLA,” Mora said during the interview. “I love college football. I love coaching the UCLA Bruins. …
"
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported on potential interest from the Jets in Jim Mora:
"Charley Casserly, consulting Jets in GM/HC searches, reached out to UCLA HC Jim Mora's camp to inquire about buyout details in contract," reported Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News on Dec. 31.
Mora hasn't coached at the pro level since being fired by the Seattle Seahawks in January of 2010. Mora is 31-33 as a head coach in the NFL.
Jets to Speak with Kubiak Despite Interest in Marrone
Saturday, Jan. 3
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports an update on the Jets' search for a new coach:
On Jan. 1, Peter King of Sports Illustrated reported Marrone spoke with Jets owner Woody Johnson:
Woody Johnson to Hire Coach
Wednesday, Dec. 31
SNY.TV's TheJetsBlog.com provides comments from Johnson:
"I think I’m going to ultimately be the one who hires the coach, but I will certainly listen to the new general manager,” Johnson said. “If that comes first, I’ll definitely do that.”
Johnson is being advised by Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf in the head coach and general manager search.
"
Jets' Initial Short List of Candidates Revealed
Tuesday, Dec. 30
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on the Jets' initial list of potential head coach candidates:
Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News also revealed an internal candidate for the job:
Jets Kick Off Coach Search After Officially Firing Ryan
Monday, Dec. 29
Discord was the name of the game during Rex Ryan and John Idzik's two years together in New York. By midway through the Jets' disastrous 4-12 2014 season, it appeared obvious that owner Woody Johnson would have to choose one over the other.
On Monday, he chose neither.
The Jets announced the firing of their coach and general manager less than 24 hours after a season-ending 37-24 win over the Miami Dolphins. Ryan, 52, went 46-50 in six seasons with the team and led them to two AFC Championship games. After making the playoffs his first two seasons, Ryan failed to see January football in each of his last four.
Idzik, hired from the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 to rebuild a high-cost, veteran-laden roster, never quite got things off the ground. Ryan was not his chosen coach, and rumors about the pair butting heads were constant since Idzik's arrival, via Harvey Araton of The New York Times.
Johnson illuminated what he's looking for in a new coach in a Monday press conference:
In all likelihood, the Jets will want to have a general manager in place before hiring their next coach. Idzik and Ryan's relationship provides strong evidence in favor of organizational synergy. Dysfunction is a given if the two most important roles in an organization aren't meeting eye to eye (see: Harbaugh, Jim).
Dom Cosentino of NJ.com reported last week that Johnson had tabbed Charley Casserly, a former general manager in Houston and Washington, to help lead his search. Cosentino's report claimed Casserly was already contacting potential replacements before Sunday's win in Miami.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported the Jets have contacted Vikings assistant general manager George Paton about potentially joining the organization. There is no indication on whether he is interested.
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