New York (WFAN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - The New York Jets interviewed Rex Ryan on Tuesday for their opening at head coach, giving the former head coach in East Rutherford another chance to make his return to lead "Gang Green" into the future.
Ahead of Tuesday's interview with Ryan, Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata made it clear that not only did they have no interest in Ryan returning, they believed it would be disastrous if the reunion happened.
“To me, this is a mistake even interviewing Rex Ryan,” said Licata on WFAN.
“Rex Ryan was a failed head coach for a reason, and to the Jets fans who love him, why? Because he won a few playoff games with the Jets? That’s not enough… this, to me, is the biggest mistake the Jets can make.”
Ryan hasn’t coached in the NFL in eight years, and Licata pointed to Ryan’s one season in which he won double-digit games. For Tierney, he believes Ryan would bring plenty of noise and emotion, but his tenure as head coach would be nothing but mindless noise, and none of it would lead to any real improvement from a football standpoint.
“When you strip away the emotional and sentimental stuff… and you get to the essence and core of what really matters, I have zero interest,” said Tierney on WFAN. “I can’t possibly be more blunt. I think hiring Rex Ryan would be a disaster for the New York Jets. An absolute disaster.
“I don’t know how serious they are. I don’t know if they’re just throwing him a bone or satisfying a portion of the fanbase that is interested in Rex… but when you get down to the business of football, I think that’s where it gets hollow. I don’t trust that he would hire a good staff or succeed in modern football.”
Ryan coached the Jets for six seasons between 2009 and 2014, in which he led New York to a 46-50 record in that span. After being fired in New York, Ryan went on to become the head coach of the Bills for two seasons, leading Buffalo to a 15-16 record in 31 games at the helm.