 Ryan while head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2015 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | (1962-12-13)December 13, 1962 (age 62) Ardmore, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Illinois) |
| College: | Southwestern Oklahoma State |
| Career history | |
As a coach: | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 61–66 (.480) |
| Postseason: | 4–2 (.667) |
| Career: | 65–68 (.489) |
| Coaching profile atPro Football Reference | |
Rex Ashley Ryan[1] (born December 13, 1962) is an American formerfootball coach and analyst. Ryan was formerly the head coach of theNew York Jets andBuffalo Bills of theNational Football League (NFL), and also held various coaching positions with seven other NFL and college teams.
He and his fraternal twin brotherRob Ryan are sons of former head coachBuddy Ryan. From a young age, Ryan aspired to follow in his father's footsteps and become a professional football coach. After spending the majority of his youth in Canada, he returned to theUnited States as a teenager where he attended college atSouthwestern Oklahoma State University. Upon graduating, Ryan spent the next 22 years serving as an assistant coach on different teams at both the college and professional level.
At the behest of their head coachBrian Billick, Ryan joined theBaltimore Ravens in 1999 and spent ten years there. In 2005, he became the defensive coordinator, and later was promoted to be the team's assistant head coach in 2008. Ryan later accepted a contract offer from the Jets for their vacant head coaching position for the2009 season. During his tenure, Ryan became well known throughout the league for his outspoken manner, boisterous attitude, and initial success with the Jets. In his first two seasons as the Jets' head coach, he led the team to back-to-backAFC Championship Game appearances.[2][3] Ryan's subsequent tenure was a period of struggles, as the Jets were unable to finish with a record above a .500 winning percentage. After a career worst 4–12 record at the conclusion of the2014 season, Ryan was fired as the team's head coach. Shortly after his firing from the Jets, Ryan was hired to be the Bills' head coach, where he lasted two years with the team before being fired at the end of the2016 season. Afterwards, he was hired byESPN, where he currently serves as an analyst, including onSunday NFL Countdown.
Rex Ryan and his fraternal twin,Rob, were born inArdmore, Oklahoma, on December 13, 1962, to Doris andBuddy Ryan.[4][5] When the boys were aged two, their parents amicably divorced.[6] Following the divorce, their mother attended theUniversity of Chicago to earn her doctorate. Rex, Rob, and their older brother Jim moved with her toToronto, Ontario, Canada, where she secured an administrative position at theUniversity of Toronto.[2] During the course of his upbringing, Rex wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, a defensive pioneer in the NFL known for developing the46 defense, and by the age of six, Rex and Rob knew they wanted to pursue coaching careers.[7]
In Canada, there was little emphasis on football, much to the disappointment of Rex.[8] By the time Rex was a teenager, Doris realized he and his brothers were too much to handle for a single mother trying to advance her career.[6] She decided it was in the best interest of the brothers to send them to live with their father, who was thedefensive line coach for theMinnesota Vikings at the time. The reasons behind this were to keep them out of trouble and to help them expand their knowledge of the game of football where it was more prevalent.[8]
In 1978, when Buddy was hired by theChicago Bears as theirdefensive coordinator, Rex, Rob, and Jim followed their father toIllinois where the family settled inLincolnshire, Illinois.[9] The brothers attendedStevenson High School in Lincolnshire.[9]
Rex went on to attendSouthwestern Oklahoma State University inWeatherford, Oklahoma, alongside Rob,[10] and played for the football team as adefensive end.[6] He graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma in 1986,[10] and in 2011 was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame.[11]
Upon graduating from Southwestern in 1986, with the help of his father, Ryan secured a job as agraduate assistant on theDivision I-AA (nowDivision I FCS)Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team. At Eastern Kentucky, he had a multitude of responsibilities which ranged from making copies of game plans to picking players up at the airport.[12] The Colonels won theOhio Valley Conference title in the two years Ryan served as an assistant.[13] At the age of 26, Ryan became the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator atDivision IINew Mexico Highlands for a year, during which the team led the league in defensive turnovers.[12] After his stint with New Mexico Highlands, Ryan joined Division IMorehead State as the defensive coordinator, where he remained for four years.[12] During his tenure, the defense was ranked among the highest in the nation.[13]
After working for his father for two years with the NFL'sArizona Cardinals, Ryan returned to college coaching as the defensive coordinator for theCincinnati Bearcats.[13] The Bearcats won the firstHumanitarian Bowl overUtah State in Ryan's final year, marking the team's first bowl appearance in fifty years.[13] Ryan was theOklahoma Sooners' defensive coordinator for a year in which the defense was ranked sixth in the nation.[13] However, head coachJohn Blake failed to achieve a winning record for a third straight year and subsequently, the entire staff was fired.[14] Ryan served asdefensive coordinator atKansas State for a month in 1999 under head coachBill Snyder.[15]
When his father was hired as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 1994, he offered Rex his first job in the NFL as a defensive assistant, working with the team'slinebackers anddefensive linemen.[16] After nine straight losing seasons prior to Buddy's arrival, the Cardinals produced an 8–8 record in Buddy's first year as head coach.[17] However, in his second season, the team went 4–12 and subsequently, the entire staff was fired despite the positive performance of the defense.[16][17]
Ryan went on to coach at three different colleges following his tenure with the Cardinals, though by the time he joinedKansas State in1999, he was hopeful of a return to the NFL.[14] Ryan received a call from newly named head coachBrian Billick of theBaltimore Ravens, who wanted to interview him for the defensive line coaching position.[18] Having visited a class Ryan was teaching earlier in his career, Billick had been so impressed by Ryan's passion for the game of football that he decided to hire Ryan if he ever attained a head coaching position.[18] When offered the position, Ryan accepted.[18]
In his first year, the defense was ranked second overall in the NFL and second inrushing yards allowed.[13] By his second year, in 2000, the Ravens' defense set NFL records for fewest rushing yards allowed.[19] The defense allowed a combined 23 points in four playoff games en route to aSuper Bowl XXXV victory, Ryan's onlySuper Bowl ring, over theNew York Giants.[19] The defense consistently performed well in the following years. As a result, Ryan was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005 following the departure ofMike Nolan, who became the head coach of theSan Francisco 49ers.[20][21] In 2006, Ryan received Assistant Coach of the Year awards fromPro Football Weekly and thePro Football Writers Association.[13]
Upon the conclusion of the Ravens' 5–11 performance in2007, the entire staff was dismissed onNew Year's Eve.[22] Ryan was one of the candidates interviewed by the Ravens for their head coaching vacancy;[23] however, the Ravens chose to nameJohn Harbaugh as the team's new head coach.[24] Ryan also interviewed withMiami[23] andAtlanta[25] about filling their head coaching vacancies, but the offers went toTony Sparano andMike Smith respectively.[26]
Ryan was disappointed by his failure to obtain a head coaching job, but he agreed to return to Baltimore under the direction of Harbaugh, who retained Ryan as defensive coordinator and promoted him to assistant head coach.[27] In 2008, Ryan's final year with the team, the defense was ranked second overall in the NFL.[28] The Ravens lost by a score of 23–14 in theAFC Championship Game against thePittsburgh Steelers. Ryan's nine-year tenure with the Ravens, during which the defense never ranked lower than sixth overall in the NFL, concluded an hour later when he accepted the head coaching position with theNew York Jets.[13][29]
Following alate season collapse in which the Jets missed the playoffs after losing four of their final five games, the team fired head coachEric Mangini on December 29, 2008.[30] The team interviewed a host of candidates, including Ryan,Jeff Jagodzinski,Russ Grimm,Bill Callahan, andBrian Schottenheimer; however, the contract, which was valued at approximately $11.5 million over the course of four years, was ultimately offered to Ryan.[31]
Accepting the offer on January 19, 2009, Ryan immediately began to carry out a plan of action that he had outlined for the franchise's future.[32] He planned to remove the players from distractions on and off the field and allow them get to know one another to build team chemistry. Thus, training camp was moved to the campus ofSUNY Cortland, where the team would be relatively secluded from the media and any other distractions.[32] Ryan and general managerMike Tannenbaum were also determined to draft a quarterback who could lead and be the face of the franchise.[33] As a result, the team traded up to selectMark Sanchez ofUSC in the first round with the fifth overall pick in the2009 NFL draft.[34]
The Jetsopened their season against theHouston Texans.[35] Ryan began his head coaching career with a 24–7 victory over the Texans in which the Jets' defense shut out their opponents' offense. Houston's lone score came on a fumble return for a touchdown.[35] The following week, the defense did not allow a touchdown against theNew England Patriots in a 16–9 victory at home, marking the Jets' first home victory over New England since2000.[36] Ryan and the Jets went on to defeat theTennessee Titans in Week 3, marking the first time the Jets opened the season at 3–0 since 2004.[37] The victory also allowed Ryan to become the Jets' first rookie head coach to win his first three games sinceAl Groh did so in 2000.[37] Despite their hot start, New York went on to lose six of their next seven games save for a shutout victory over theOakland Raiders, 38–0.[38]
The team eventually recovered and won five of their final six games despite Ryan mistakenly stating the Jets had been eliminated from playoff contention following a loss to theAtlanta Falcons.[39] The Jets defeated a previously unbeatenIndianapolis Colts—a game not without controversy followingJim Caldwell's decision to pull Indianapolis' starters with the Colts leading.[40] The Colts, who had already clinched a playoff berth, had little to play for aside from aperfect record.[40] In the final game of the season, the Jets defeated theCincinnati Bengals 37–0 atGiants Stadium, the final sporting event to be held at the venue, as the defense held Cincinnati to 72 total rushing yards, and 0 total yards passing.[41] The victory secured the Jets' playoff berth as a wild card team.[41] Under Ryan, the Jets finished the regular season ranked first overall in the NFL in rushing yards and total defense.[42] New York defeated Cincinnati again the following week, this time atPaul Brown Stadium, in theAFC Wild Card playoff round by a score of 24–14.[43] On January 17, 2010, Ryan coached the Jets in an upset over theSan Diego Chargers, 17–14, on their way to the AFC Championship Game.[44] The Jets subsequently lost to the Colts, 30–17, after leading in the first half of the game.[45] Ryan became embroiled in controversy a few days later when he made anobscene gesture towards hecklingDolphins fans who spat on him during aStrikeforcemixed martial arts event atBankAtlantic Center inSunrise, Florida.[46][47] Ryan apologized for his action, stating that it was "stupid and inappropriate."[47] Ryan was fined $50,000 by the Jets.[48]
As Ryan headed into his second year as the team's head coach, the club announced he had been given a two-year contract extension.[49] Ryan continued to exude confidence in the team, writing onESPN's training camp tour bus "Soon To Be Champs" in August, referencing that the Jets would make it to theSuper Bowl and become the eventual champions.[50] Ryan had been asked to sign the Jets' logo on the back of the bus but included the message with his signature.[51] The prediction was met with some criticism while others praised his brashness, something that was felt to be lacking in the NFL at the time.[50][52] When the team appeared on the television seriesHard Knocks that same month, Ryan was criticized, particularly by former head coachTony Dungy, for his use offoul language.[53] Dungy and Ryan later met in person to reconcile their differences.[53] Ryan's championship claims were nearly proven correct as the Jets opened the season with the best record in the NFL at 9–2.[54] This set the stage for aMonday Night Football matchup with theirdivision rival, thePatriots, who were also 9–2.[54] The Patriots, behind the strong performance of quarterbackTom Brady, defeated the Jets 45–3.[55] However, the Jets finished the season with an 11–5 record and qualified as a wild card team in the playoffs. The Jets were one win short of tying the franchise record in wins set by the1998 team led byBill Parcells.[56][57]
In the wild-card round, the sixth-seeded Jets beat theAFC South champion and third-seededColts 17–16 on January 8, 2011, at the Colts'home field,Lucas Oil Stadium, to qualify for the Divisional Playoffs.[58] The following week, on January 16, they defeated the AFC East champion and first-seeded Patriots 28–21, ending New England's eight-game winning streak.[59] The victory made the Jets the first team to win back-to-back road playoff games in consecutive seasons, and qualified them to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season, where they lost on the road to theAFC North championPittsburgh Steelers 24–19.[60]
The Jets opened their2011 campaign with a 2–3 record, leading to discontent within their clubhouse. The team had begun to stray from its philosophy of consistently running the ball and began to pass more often, but the offense struggled with this adjustment.[61] Wide receiversPlaxico Burress,Santonio Holmes, andDerrick Mason reportedly approached coach Ryan to question offensive coordinatorBrian Schottenheimer's system.[62] Ryan, meanwhile, had begun to isolate himself from the rest of the team as he became less "hands-on" and opted to have his assistants coach the players at their respective positions.[63] Ryan attracted further attention to the team during aSunday Night Football game against theNew England Patriots when he responded to a heckling fan with an obscene remark and was fined $75,000 by the league.[64] Despite struggling to an 8–7 record, the Jets still had the ability to attain a playoff berth if they won their regular season finale against theMiami Dolphins in combination with the outcome of three other games played that day.[62]
However, the discontent within the locker room and the team's overall struggles culminated with Holmes criticizing and arguing with teammates in thehuddle against Miami. Holmes was benched in the fourth quarter while the Jets subsequently lost 19–17, ending their postseason pursuit.[62] After the Jets finished the season with a disappointing 8–8 record, Ryan admitted to having lost the pulse of the team.[65] Then free agent running backLaDainian Tomlinson remarked that Ryan's Super Bowl predictions had an adverse effect on the locker room by placing undue pressure on the players. Ryan conceded this point and announced that he would refrain from making such statements publicly in the future.[66]
Through 11 weeks in2012, the Jets struggled to a 4–7 record.[67] The presence of quarterbackTim Tebow created a controversy as the media and fans called for Ryan to bench the inconsistent Mark Sanchez in favor of Tebow.[68] Ryan was criticized for his decision to keep Tebow activated during the Jets'Thanksgiving Day contest against theNew England Patriots despite Tebow playing with two broken ribs, leading to questions about his job security.[69] With Tebow inactive for the Jets' following contest against theArizona Cardinals, Ryan made the decision to bench Sanchez, who threw three interceptions, in favor ofGreg McElroy. McElroy threw a touchdown pass to tight endJeff Cumberland to score the team's only points in a 7–6 victory over Arizona.[70]
Ryan renamed Sanchez the starting quarterback the following Wednesday after seeking out multiple opinions within the organization.[71] In a must win game against theTennessee Titans to remain in playoff contention, Sanchez struggled; he completed 13 of his 28 passes for 131 yards while throwing four interceptions and fumbling the ball in Titans territory in the closing minutes of the Jets' 14–10 defeat.[72] A day later, Ryan announced McElroy would start.[73] Sanchez started the final game of the season after McElroy suffered a concussion in his lone start.[74] Sanchez's struggles continued as the Jets fell to theBuffalo Bills and ended their year with a 6–10 record, their first losing season under Rex Ryan.[75] On December 31, 2012, the Jets fired general managerMike Tannenbaum, but announced that Ryan would return for the 2013 season.[76]
For the2013 campaign, Ryan overhauled his coaching staff, promotingDennis Thurman to defensive coordinator[77] while adding several new coaches including offensive coordinatorMarty Mornhinweg.[78] Newly hired general managerJohn Idzik emphasized there would be competition at all positions including quarterback.[79] The Jets draftedGeno Smith in the second round of the2013 NFL draft to compete with Sanchez.[80] Ryan was widely criticized for his decision to insert Sanchez late in a preseason game against theNew York Giants after Sanchez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury[81] which led to Smith being named the starter.[82]
Through their first nine games of the year, the Jets went 5–4 and earned Ryan some early Coach of the Year consideration.[83] The team proceeded to lose their next three contests as the rookie Smith committed eight turnovers while failing to score during that stretch.[84][85][86] This prompted speculation by analysts as to whether or not Ryan would be fired.[87] The Jets broke their losing streak with a 37–27 win over theRaiders that kept them in playoff contention.[88] The following week, the Jets played theCarolina Panthers and trailed by three points heading into the fourth quarter. In the span of five minutes, the Panthers scored twice and the Jets were unable to complete a comeback attempt, losing 20–30.[89] The loss eliminated the Jets from playoff contention.[89]
New York played theCleveland Browns a week later. In a meeting before the game, Ryan told his players that he expected to be fired at the end of the year.[90] The Jets defeated Cleveland, 24–13, and despite the uncertainty, the players and coaches were in high spirits.[91] Several players includingAntonio Cromartie,Calvin Pace, andWillie Colon went on to publicly express their support for Ryan to return as coach.[92] In the season finale, the Jets defeated theMiami Dolphins 20–7, eliminating them from playoff contention.[93] In the locker room after the game, ownerWoody Johnson and Idzik announced Ryan would return for the 2014 season much to the delight of the players.[93] Ryan was praised for keeping his team competitive after being eliminated from playoff contention and keeping their spirits high throughout the year despite their inconsistency.[94]
The Jets opened the2014 season with a 19–14 win over theOakland Raiders but proceeded to lose their next eight games.[95]Geno Smith, who started the year at quarterback, was replaced by veteranMichael Vick midway through the season.[96] Vick helped to snap the losing streak in a Week 10 win over thePittsburgh Steelers.[97] Despite the victory, Ryan was seen cursing at an unidentified person and was subsequently fined $100,000 by the league.[98] The team continued to struggle with Smith eventually being reinserted into the lineup.[99] The Jets went on to win two of their last three games to finish with a 4–12 record, their worst finish under Ryan.[100] Despite players again expressing their desire for Ryan to remain the coach, he was dismissed on December 29, 2014.[100][101]
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Ryan was hired as the18th head coach of theBuffalo Bills on January 12, 2015, agreeing to a five-year, $27.5 million contract.[102]
The Bills opened the2015 season with a 27–14 win over theIndianapolis Colts.[103] Frustrated by the Bills leading the NFL in penalties heading into their Week 5 game against theTennessee Titans, Ryan gave the entire team wristbands with the message "Yes sir". These were the only words he wanted his players to use with officials if they were flagged. After being flagged 17 times in Week 4 loss against theNew York Giants, the Bills were penalized only seven times in their 14–13 victory over the Titans.[104] The Bills entered their bye week with a 3–4 record after losing inLondon to theJacksonville Jaguars.[105]
Ryan gave the whole team the week off during the bye, and he himself found a secluded beach to "get away and focus". The Bills came out of their bye week and defeated theMiami Dolphins by a score of 33–17, improving their season record to 4–4. Ryan is now 2–5 all time following a bye week.[106] Ryan returned toMetLife Stadium in Week 10 for a much anticipatedThursday Night Football game against theJets. The Bills won the game by a score of 22–17, and improved to 5–4 on the season.[107] Ryan faced questions before and after the game about his decision to nameIK Enemkpali, who had been released by the Jets in preseason after breaking quarterbackGeno Smith's jaw in an altercation, as Buffalo's captain for the game.[108]
The Bills were unable to make the playoffs in their first season with Ryan as coach, as they were eliminated in Week 15 with a 35–25 loss to theWashington Redskins on December 20, extending their drought to 16 seasons, the NFL's longest active drought. They finished the season with an 8–8 record.[109][110]
On January 10, 2016, it was announced that Ryan had hired his twin brother.Rob, to the Bills coaching staff.[111] Rob served as an assistant head coach and also worked with the defense. Three days later, Ryan hired former NFL standoutEd Reed to be an assistantdefensive backs coach.[112]
The Bills opened the 2016 season with a 13–7 loss against theBaltimore Ravens.[113] On September 16, 2016, less than 24 hours after losing 37–31 to theJets in their home opener and falling to 0–2, Ryan fired offensive coordinatorGreg Roman and promoted running backs coachAnthony Lynn to offensive coordinator.[114][115]
On December 27, after aChristmas Eve loss to theMiami Dolphins in Week 16 that eliminated the team from playoff contention, Ryan was relieved of his duties as head coach, and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn was named as interim head coach for the final game of the season. Rob Ryan was dismissed as well.[116][117] Many players were unable to thrive under Ryan's defensive scheme, which was described as complicated. The Bills' defense finished the 2016 season 15th in points allowed and 24th in rushing yards allowed.[118] Following the season, Ryan went on a profane tirade against the team for allegedly quitting on him.[119]
Ryan was replaced on a full-time basis bySean McDermott in Buffalo, who proceeded to lead the Bills to the postseason in his first season in2017.
Following his dismissal by the Bills In 2016, Ryan signed an agreement withESPN to provide analysis for the network'sSuper Bowl LI pregame and postgame shows. The one-game agreement, in which ESPN beat out game rightsholder Fox (as well as CBS and NFL Network), left the possibility open for Ryan to continue with ESPN through the 2017 season.[120] In April, it was announced that Ryan would officially join ESPN'sSunday NFL Countdown as an analyst.[121] In 2022, Ryan competed on thethirty-fourth season of theCBS reality competition showThe Amazing Race, where he was eliminated in the second leg.[122]
Ryan stresses that coaches are essentially supposed to be open and communicative with the players and management, who in turn will reciprocate the same attitude. By connecting with his associates, Ryan states, it's "valuable when it comes to figuring out how to motivate somebody (...) because I want that guy to fight for me, just like I want to fight for him."[123]FullbackTony Richardson, in an interview, stated Ryan "loves his football team, loves his players" and does as much as he possibly can to ensure their success.[124] Despite his boisterous and brash comments that have caused increased media coverage of the team, Ryan has taken the attention and has managed to "[put] it on himself" so the players can focus on their tasks.[124] Ryan has also stressed that the teaching process is an important one, particularly when it comes to providing a player information and building chemistry. However, there has to be flexibility as the process must also be insightful and positive.[125] Ryan states that coaches are responsible for providing players with information that is vitally important otherwise "if you emphasize everything, you've emphasized nothing."[125]
With extensive knowledge regarding the intricacies of the defense, Ryan has been criticized for not devoting similar time and effort into coaching the offense.[126] Ryan refuted this, stating his goal is to implement a proficient running game, citing a desire to "get after" the opponent through running the ball.[127] Ryan has also stated that passing the ball is important but should not be used incessantly as there should be a balance between both aspects of the offense.[127] In 2009 and 2010, the Jets were ranked first and fourth overall in the league in rushing which coincided with their two playoff appearances.[128] In 2011, the Jets attempted to convert to a more pass-oriented offense, which have become more widely used in the NFL, however, the team struggled with this adjustment and reverted to their former run-oriented offense by the middle of the season.[128] His defensive strategy, in contrast, tends to be more elaborate taking into consideration his experience in the field. There are six different defensive formations utilized in football, but the two commonly used formations are the3–4 formation, with three defensive lineman and four linebackers, and the4–3 formation, with four defensive lineman and three linebackers.[2] The Jets utilized the former of the two popular formations; however, Ryan tended to employ all six formations in varying forms.[2] Furthermore, he often callsaudibles that have the defense line up in one formation and switch to another so as to cloak their intentions and confuse and pressure the opponent.[2]
As a testament to this philosophy, Ryan is often willing to defer thecoin toss to the opponent so his team can begin the game playing on defense in order to "set the tone" and generateturnovers.[129][130] This concept has been criticized byESPN reporterJohn Clayton, who has found the method to be ineffective league-wide.[130] Mark Kriegel, an analyst for theNFL Network, found that between 2005 and 2012, during his tenure with both the Ravens and Jets, Ryan's defenses have never been ranked lower than sixth overall in the NFL and have allowed an average of 281 yards per game fromscrimmage, second toDick LeBeau's 277.4 yards per game. LeBeau is generally regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in the history of the NFL.[131][132]
Ryan and his wife, Michelle, met at Southwestern Oklahoma State.[133] When Rex accepted his position as a graduate assistant at Eastern Kentucky, he proposed to Michelle by phone;[133] she accepted and they were married in 1987.[134] They have two sons,Seth,[134] an assistant for theDetroit Lions, and Payton.[135] Ryan earned aBachelor of Science and aMaster's degree in physical education fromEastern Kentucky University.[13] He resided inSummit, New Jersey, during his tenure with the Jets.[136]
Ryan publicly announced in 2009 that he had been battlingdyslexia for his entire life. During his early years, Ryan struggled to read and write in school; however, he was not formally diagnosed until testing confirmed he had the disorder in 2007.[137] Ryan utilizes color-coded playbooks and game plans when coaching on the sidelines to aid his comprehension.[137]
Ryan underwentlap-band surgery atNYU Medical Center in March 2010 in an effort to battle hisobesity.[138] Ryan also had ahernia repaired during the procedure.[138] He was able to return to his home that same day to recover.[138] Following a three-week period, he had lost 40 pounds[139] and as of July 2012, Ryan had lost 106 pounds.[140]
On September 13, 2016, it was revealed that Ryan underwent a procedure to remove the lap band. He lost a total of 120 pounds during the 6-year span since he had the surgery.[141]
Ryan was involved in athree-car crash in easternPennsylvania on January 14, 2013.[142] A witness said Ryan ran hisFord Mustang through a red light and collided with another driver which caused the unidentified driver to hit a third car. Ryan was issued a warning, but no citation.[142]
Ryan releasedPlay Like You Mean It, anautobiography and a conversational about football strategy.[143][144] The book, which was published byDoubleday in the spring of 2011, was co-written by Don Yaeger, a formerSports Illustrated editor who has co-authored the autobiographies of former NFL playersWalter Payton andWarren Moon.[144]
Ryan played a lawyer inAdam Sandler's filmThat's My Boy, which was released on June 15, 2012.[145]
In late 2010 as the Jets were preparing for the playoffs, afoot fetish video of a woman appearing to be Ryan's wife Michelle surfaced on various internet outlets. Judging by the video background, it appears to have been taken at the teachers parking lot at Whippany Park High School in New Jersey. The video features a clothed Michelle having her bare feet handled and commented on by an unseen camera operator with a voice similar to Rex's. The Jets released a press statement saying that Ryan and the organization considered the situation a private matter and would provide no comment. Multiple media reports soon linked the Ryans to a user profile named "ihaveprettyfeet"[146] on a site for alternative sexual lifestyles,[147] and more videos of Michelle emerged in the following months. In September 2015, a photo of Ryan surfaced showing him sitting at his desk with a framed photo of a person's feet behind him.[148]
Ryan is an avidhockey fan and developed a notoriety of being abandwagon jumper. Ryan admitted to being a fan of theToronto Maple Leafs, as a result of growing up in the city, but upon taking the Jets head coaching job, he was often seen cheering for all three of the New York metropolitan area franchises.[149] During theNew Jersey Devils run to the2012 Stanley Cup Finals, Ryan was seen sporting the team's attire,[150] and he was seen donning the attire of theNew York Rangers two years later, during their run to theStanley Cup Finals.[151] Outside of the playoff runs, Ryan performed a ceremonial puck drop atNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 9, 2010,[152] wearing a vintageNew York IslandersBilly Smith jersey.[153]
Ryan was known for a notorious incident at aCarolina Hurricanes game, as he attended the matchup with theFlorida Panthers wearing a throwbackPhiladelphia Flyers jersey. Upon being recognized by the fans at the arena, the team's cheerleaders approached him with a Hurricanes alternate jersey sported by the team. The incident was noted as he was seen taking off the jersey and baring his chest for the crowd to see.[154]
Upon taking theBuffalo Bills head coaching job, Ryan changed his allegiance to theBuffalo Sabres, and he was often seen at the team's home games and sporting the team's attire.[155] Months after being fired by the Bills, Ryan would later be seen during theNashville Predators run to the2017 Stanley Cup Finals, wearing the team's jersey.[156]
On April 18, 2016, Ryan introducedRepublican presidential candidate front-runnerDonald Trump at one of his rallies held at theFirst Niagara Center in Buffalo. Ryan had told theAssociated Press he was supportingChris Christie for the nomination, but when Christie dropped out of the race, Ryan endorsed Trump.[157][158] During the rally, Ryan praised Trump's 'courage' to "say what's on his mind."[159]
In September 2017, Ryan stated on ESPN that President Trump's comments about how NFL owners should fire players who kneel during the national anthem were "appalling to almost any citizen in our country, it should be. You know, calling our players,SOBs and all that kind of stuff, that's not the–that's not the men that I know. The men that I know in the locker room I'm proud of. I'm proud to be associated with those people. I apologized for being pissed off but guess what? That's it, because right away I'm associated with what Donald Trump stands for and all that because I introduced him. I never signed up for that, I never wanted that. That doesn't mean I support 100 percent of the things he says."[160][161]
In 2022, Ryan competed on the34th season ofThe Amazing Race with his golf buddy, Tim Mann. His team was the second to be eliminated inInnsbruck, Austria, and finished in 11th place.[162]
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| NYJ | 2009 | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2nd in AFC East | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost toIndianapolis Colts inAFC Championship Game |
| NYJ | 2010 | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 2nd in AFC East | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost toPittsburgh Steelers inAFC Championship Game |
| NYJ | 2011 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2nd in AFC East | — | — | — | — |
| NYJ | 2012 | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3rd in AFC East | — | — | — | — |
| NYJ | 2013 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2nd in AFC East | — | — | — | — |
| NYJ | 2014 | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 4th in AFC East | — | — | — | — |
| NYJ total | 46 | 50 | 0 | .479 | 4 | 2 | .667 | |||
| BUF | 2015 | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3rd in AFC East | — | — | — | — |
| BUF | 2016 | 7 | 8 | 0 | .467 | (fired) | — | — | — | — |
| BUF total | 15 | 16 | 0 | .484 | 0 | 0 | .000 | |||
| Total | 61 | 66 | 0 | .480 | 4 | 2 | .667 | |||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
