Todd Bowles Had Tumor Removed from Neck After 2015 Season: Details, Reaction

New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles went through the 2015 campaign with a tumor in his neck that was removed after the team's season ended.   

Per Bob Glauber of Newsday, Bowles' tumor was benign and was the "size of a golf ball."

Per Darryl Slater of the Star-Ledger, Bowles said he found the mass in his throat early in the season, and doctors told him it wasn't serious, so he could delay having surgery. He is "fine" after the procedure.

Taking over as New York's head coach after a successful two-year stint as Arizona's defensive coordinator, Bowles nearly led the Jets to the postseason with a 10-6 record. 

Bowles' defensive background shone through for the Jets in 2015. They finished ninth in scoring defense, holding opponents to 19.6 points per game. He also helped turn journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick into a capable starter with a career-high 3,905 passing yards and 31 touchdown passes. 

A 22-17 loss against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17 ended the Jets' hopes for their first playoff berth since 2010.

Even though the Jets fell short of their ultimate goal last season, Bowles brought back an attitude and swagger that was missing at the end of the Rex Ryan era. With a clean bill of health and focus on 2016, the 52-year-old will have Gang Green poised to take another step forward next season.