Rex Ryan facts for kids
Ryan while head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2015
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | December 13, 1962 Ardmore, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Illinois) |
| College: | Southwestern Oklahoma State |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Head coaching record | |
| Regular season: | 61–66 (.480) |
| Postseason: | 4–2 (.667) |
| Career: | 65–68 (.489) |
| Coaching stats at PFR | |
Rex Ashley Ryan (born December 13, 1962) is an American former football coach and sports analyst. He used to be the head coach for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). Rex Ryan also worked in many other coaching roles for seven different NFL and college teams.
Rex and his twin brother, Rob Ryan, are the sons of famous football coach Buddy Ryan. From a young age, Rex wanted to follow his father's path and become a professional football coach. He spent most of his childhood in Canada. As a teenager, he moved back to the United States and went to college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. After college, Ryan spent 22 years as an assistant coach for various college and professional teams.
In 1999, Rex Ryan joined the Baltimore Ravens and stayed there for ten years. He became the defensive coordinator in 2005 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2008. Later, Ryan became the head coach for the Jets in 2009. He became known for being very open and confident. In his first two seasons, he led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game twice. After some tough years, the Jets fired him in 2014. Soon after, he became the head coach for the Buffalo Bills, where he coached for two years before being fired in 2016. Since then, he has worked as a football analyst for ESPN, including on Sunday NFL Countdown.
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Early Life and Education
Rex Ryan and his twin brother, Rob, were born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on December 13, 1962. Their parents were Doris and Buddy Ryan. When the boys were two, their parents separated. Their mother then went to the University of Chicago to get her doctorate degree. Rex, Rob, and their older brother Jim moved with her to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Their mother got a job at the University of Toronto.
Growing Up with Football
As Rex grew up, he wanted to be like his father, who was a famous defensive coach in the NFL. By the time Rex and Rob were six, they knew they wanted to be coaches too. In Canada, football was not as popular, which disappointed Rex. When Rex was a teenager, his mother decided it would be best for the brothers to live with their father. Their father was coaching for the Minnesota Vikings at the time. This move helped them stay out of trouble and learn more about football where it was very popular.
In 1978, their father, Buddy, became the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. Rex, Rob, and Jim moved with him to Illinois. They settled in Lincolnshire, Illinois and attended Stevenson High School.
College Football Career
Rex and Rob both went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Rex played defensive end for the football team. He graduated in 1986. In 2011, he was honored by being added to the university's Hall of Fame.
Coaching Career Highlights
After graduating in 1986, Rex Ryan got a job as a graduate assistant for the Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team. He had many duties, from making copies of game plans to picking up players. The Colonels won the Ohio Valley Conference title in both years Ryan was an assistant.
Early College Coaching Roles
At 26, Ryan became the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at New Mexico Highlands for one year. Their team led the league in forcing turnovers. After that, Ryan joined Morehead State as the defensive coordinator for four years. During his time there, their defense was one of the best in the nation.
After working for his father with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL, Ryan went back to college coaching. He became the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bearcats. In Ryan's last year, the Bearcats won their first bowl game in fifty years. Ryan then coached for the Oklahoma Sooners for a year, where their defense was ranked sixth in the nation.
NFL Assistant Coach
In 1994, Rex Ryan's father, Buddy, became the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. He offered Rex his first NFL job as a defensive assistant. Rex worked with the team's linebackers and defensive linemen. The Cardinals had an 8–8 record in Buddy's first year. However, in his second season, the team went 4–12, and the whole coaching staff was let go.
Ryan coached at three different colleges after the Cardinals. In 1999, he hoped to return to the NFL. He got a call from Brian Billick, the new head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Billick wanted to interview him for the defensive line coaching job. Billick had been impressed by Ryan's passion for football earlier in his career. Ryan accepted the job.
In his first year, the Ravens' defense was ranked second in the NFL. By 2000, the Ravens' defense set NFL records for allowing the fewest rushing yards. The defense allowed only 23 points in four playoff games. This led to a Super Bowl XXXV victory over the New York Giants. This was Ryan's only Super Bowl ring. The defense continued to play well in the following years. Because of this, Ryan was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005. In 2006, Ryan received Assistant Coach of the Year awards.
After the Ravens' 5–11 season in 2007, the entire coaching staff was dismissed. Ryan interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Ravens, Miami, and Atlanta, but did not get them. He agreed to return to Baltimore under new head coach John Harbaugh. Ryan remained defensive coordinator and was promoted to assistant head coach. In 2008, his last year with the Ravens, the defense was ranked second in the NFL. The Ravens lost in the AFC Championship Game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ryan's nine years with the Ravens ended when he accepted the head coaching position with the New York Jets.
New York Jets Head Coach
The Jets fired their head coach in December 2008. Rex Ryan was offered the job, and he accepted on January 19, 2009. He immediately started making plans for the team's future. He wanted to help players focus and build team spirit. Training camp was moved to a secluded campus to avoid distractions. Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum also wanted to draft a quarterback who could lead the team. They traded up to pick Mark Sanchez in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft.
2009 Season Success
The Jets started the 2009 season with a 24–7 win over the Houston Texans. The next week, they beat the New England Patriots 16–9 at home. They also defeated the Tennessee Titans in Week 3, starting the season 3–0 for the first time since 2004. Ryan was the first rookie head coach for the Jets to win his first three games since 2000.
After a tough middle of the season, the team recovered and won five of their last six games. The Jets defeated the previously unbeaten Indianapolis Colts. In the final game, the Jets beat the Cincinnati Bengals 37–0, securing a playoff spot. Under Ryan, the Jets finished first in the NFL in rushing yards and total defense. They beat Cincinnati again in the playoffs and then upset the San Diego Chargers. The Jets made it to the AFC Championship Game but lost to the Colts.
2010 Season and Playoff Run
Before his second year, Ryan received a two-year contract extension. He showed great confidence in the team, even writing "Soon To Be Champs" on an ESPN bus. The Jets started the season with a strong 9–2 record. They finished the season 11–5 and made the playoffs as a wild card team.
In the wild-card round, the Jets beat the Colts 17–16. The next week, they defeated the Patriots 28–21, ending New England's winning streak. This made the Jets the first team to win back-to-back road playoff games in a row. They advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the second straight season, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 24–19.
Later Jets Seasons
The Jets started the 2011 season with a 2–3 record. The team tried to pass the ball more, but the offense struggled. Wide receivers reportedly questioned the offensive system. Ryan admitted he had lost touch with the team after they finished with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs. He decided to stop making bold Super Bowl predictions publicly.
In 2012, the Jets struggled to a 4–7 record. There was debate about who should be the starting quarterback. Ryan benched Mark Sanchez for a game, but Sanchez returned to start the final game. The Jets finished with a 6–10 record, their first losing season under Ryan. Ryan returned for the 2013 season.
For the 2013 season, Ryan changed his coaching staff. The Jets drafted Geno Smith to compete for the quarterback position. The team started 5–4, but then lost three games in a row. This led to talk about whether Ryan would be fired. The Jets won some of their final games, and players publicly supported Ryan. The team finished 8–8, and owner Woody Johnson announced Ryan would return for 2014.
The 2014 season started with a win, but the Jets then lost eight games in a row. Quarterback Geno Smith was replaced by Michael Vick. The team finished with a 4–12 record, their worst under Ryan. Despite players wanting him to stay, Ryan was dismissed on December 29, 2014.
Buffalo Bills Head Coach
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Rex Ryan was hired as the 18th head coach of the Buffalo Bills on January 12, 2015. He signed a five-year contract.
2015 Season
The Bills started the 2015 season with a 27–14 win. Ryan tried to reduce penalties by giving players wristbands that said "Yes sir" to use with officials. The Bills entered their bye week with a 3–4 record. They later defeated the Miami Dolphins and the Jets. The Bills finished the season with an 8–8 record and did not make the playoffs.
2016 Season and Departure
On January 10, 2016, Ryan hired his twin brother, Rob, to the Bills coaching staff. Rob worked as an assistant head coach and with the defense. The Bills started the 2016 season with a loss. After losing their home opener, Ryan fired his offensive coordinator and promoted another coach.
On December 27, after a loss that ended their playoff hopes, Ryan was relieved of his duties as head coach. His brother Rob was also dismissed. Many players found Ryan's defensive system complicated. The Bills' defense finished the 2016 season 15th in points allowed. Ryan was replaced by Sean McDermott, who led the Bills to the postseason in 2017.
Television Career
After leaving the Bills in 2016, Rex Ryan began working with ESPN. He provided analysis for the Super Bowl LI pregame and postgame shows. In April 2017, it was announced that Ryan would officially join ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown as an analyst. In 2022, Ryan competed on the thirty-fourth season of the CBS reality competition show The Amazing Race. He was eliminated in the second part of the race.
Coaching Style
Ryan believes that coaches should be open and communicate well with players and management. He thinks this helps motivate players because they will fight for him if he fights for them. Fullback Tony Richardson said Ryan "loves his football team, loves his players." Ryan also tries to take media attention onto himself so players can focus. He emphasizes that teaching is important, and coaches should provide clear, important information.
Defensive Strategy
Ryan is known for his deep knowledge of defense. He has been criticized for not focusing as much on offense. However, Ryan says his goal is to have a strong running game to "get after" opponents. He believes in a balance between running and passing. In 2009 and 2010, the Jets were ranked high in rushing, which matched their playoff appearances.
Ryan's defensive strategy is often complex. Football has six main defensive formations, but the most common are the 3–4 formation and the 4–3 formation. Ryan often used all six formations in different ways. He also frequently used audibles to change the defense's setup. This helped confuse opponents and put pressure on them.
Ryan often chose to let the opponent start the game with the ball after the coin toss. He wanted his team to start on defense to "set the tone" and create turnovers. An analyst for the NFL Network noted that from 2005 to 2012, Ryan's defenses were always ranked among the top six in the NFL.
Personal Life and Interests
Rex Ryan and his wife, Michelle, met in college. They got married in 1987. They have two sons, Seth, who is an assistant coach for the Detroit Lions, and Payton. Ryan earned degrees in physical education from Eastern Kentucky University.
Health and Well-being
In 2009, Rex Ryan shared that he has dyslexia, a learning difference that affects reading and writing. He struggled with school early on but was not officially diagnosed until 2007. To help with coaching, Ryan uses color-coded playbooks and game plans.
In March 2010, Ryan had a procedure to help with his obesity. He lost a significant amount of weight, over 100 pounds, by 2012. In 2016, he had another procedure to remove the device used in his weight loss journey.
Other Activities
Ryan was involved in a minor car crash in Pennsylvania in 2013. He was issued a warning but no ticket.
He released a book called Play Like You Mean It, which is about his life and football strategy. The book was published in 2011. Ryan also appeared in Adam Sandler's film That's My Boy, which came out in 2012.
Sports Teams He Supports
Rex Ryan is a big fan of ice hockey. He grew up in Toronto, so he supported the Toronto Maple Leafs. When he coached the Jets, he often cheered for the New York teams, like the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. He even performed a ceremonial puck drop for the New York Islanders.
When he became the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, he started supporting the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. He was often seen at their games wearing their gear. After leaving the Bills, he was seen supporting the Nashville Predators during their playoff run.
Political Views Expressed
In April 2016, Rex Ryan introduced Donald Trump at a political rally in Buffalo. Ryan had supported another candidate first, but then endorsed Trump. At the rally, Ryan praised Trump's courage to "say what's on his mind."
In September 2017, Ryan spoke on ESPN about comments made by President Trump regarding NFL players. Ryan stated that the comments were "appalling" and that he was proud of the players he knew in the locker room. He clarified that his introduction of Trump did not mean he supported everything Trump said.
The Amazing Race Appearance
In 2022, Rex Ryan competed on the 34th season of The Amazing Race with his golf buddy, Tim Mann. They were the second team to be eliminated in Innsbruck, Austria, finishing in 11th place.
Head Coaching Record
| 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 to Indianapolis Colts in AFC Championship Game |
| NYJ | 2010 | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 2nd in AFC East | 2 | 1 | .667 | Lost to Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC 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 | |||
See also
In Spanish: Rex Ryan para niños
