Rex Ryan Will Return As New York Jets Coach In 2014, Owner Says

Rex Ryan will be back coaching the New York Jets in 2014, the team’s owner said after the season finale on Sunday.

Jets owner Woody Johnson ended the speculation that had been brewing for weeks regarding Ryan’s job status, announcing after the game that Ryan is set to return at the team’s coach.

The Jets defeated the Miami Dolphins 20-7 in the season finale, knocking the Dolphins out of the playoff race and ending the season at 8-8. The record would come as a surprise to many who called this a rebuilding year for the New York Jets, who started rookie quarterback Geno Smith.

The fact that this was viewed as a rebuilding year — and that many NFL experts pegged the Jets as the worst team in the league before the season started — made it seem unlikely that Rex Ryan would be fired.

Ryan has built up a 42-38 record since joining the Jets in 2009, taking the team to the AFC Championship game in each of his first two years. But Ryan failed to make the playoffs in his two most recent years, leading to speculation that Woody Johnson may have looked for a new coach.

Though the rumors had surrounded the team in the last week, Rex Ryan wouldn’t discuss his future with the team after last week’s victory over the Cleveland Browns.

.@woodyjohnson4 just confirmed that Rex Ryan will remain #NYJets head coach in 2014. pic.twitter.com/i0JmczBuEC

— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 29, 2013

While it appears that Rex Ryan will keep his job, there are many other NFL coaches who could be shown the door. Those considered on the hot seat include Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz, Minnesota’s Leslie Frazier, Oakland’s Dennis Allen, Tampa Bay’s Greg Schiano and Dallas’ Jason Garrett.