Rex Ryan Tells Brother Rob Ryan to Get a Haircut to Advance Career

Rex Ryan and brother Rob Ryan are used to giving each other pointers on how to coach defense in the NFL.

But with many around the league speculating that the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator's long hair is keeping him from capitalizing on a phenomenal year and landing a head-coaching job, the New York Jets head coach has some hairstyle advice for his twin brother.

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post (h/t Fox Sports' Shawn Ramsey), Rex bought into the speculation when speaking with reporters at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.:

"

You tell me one other reason why he doesn't have a (head-coaching job) right now with the kind of job he did. Maybe that's it. I told him, "Dude, how about you go get a haircut? It makes no difference. You can wear the Fu Manchu if you're bald."

"

While it's unlikely we'll see a bald Rob Ryan rocking a Fu Manchu anytime soon, Rex makes a good point, and his brother would be wise to heed his advice.

Regardless of whether it's fair, the first key to knocking any job interview out of the park is cleaning up your look. For a defensive coordinator, who doesn't have to speak at press conferences after every game or make television appearances on a regular basis, the flowing fibers are certainly acceptable.

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

However, like it or not, NFL head coaches are forced to portray a certain image. They are the faces of their franchises and therefore must appear more presentable than their assistants.

Rex is optimistic that Rob will soon see the light, per Costello: "I can't explain it. Is it the hair? I don't know. I'm trying to get him to get a haircut. Hopefully, this is one of the things that motivate him to do so."

But if Ryan prefers his role as a defensive coordinator and, more importantly, his locks, he should continue to grow his hair simply to spite those who believe every 51-year-old football coach should be clean-cut.

Ryan's hairstyle is clearly no accident and appears to be a big part of who he is as both a person and a coach.

Despite how you may feel about Ryan's hair, there's no denying the job he did in New Orleans last season, taking a historically bad defensive unit and turning it into the NFL's fourth-best unit in yards and points allowed.

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