Jets Plan to Interview Ron Rivera; Rex Ryan also Interested

 The New York Jets are about to embark on their long awaited search for the 22nd Head Coach in franchise history, and by all indications, the Jets could be looking for a guy with experience. 

Multiple reports confirmed Monday that the Jets are set to interview ex-Panthers and Washington Commanders Head Coach Ron Rivera for the job. 

Rivera hasn't coached in over a year since his departure from Washington following a 4-13 campaign in 2023.

 Nicknamed "Riverboat Ron" for his willingness to think outside the box and take risks in-game, Rivera is an interesting candidate. He was a Coach of the Year winner, and took the Panthers to the Super Bowl about a decade ago. He's been the playoffs multiple times, including one playoff stop with Washington in his first year with the team. 

Yet, overall, Rivera is under .500 as a coach. 102-103-2 to be exact. 

His teams in Carolina were loaded talent-wise. Washington was a different animal entirely as he tried to guide the franchise despite continued off-field issues surrounding former Commanders owner Dan Snyder. 

Is Rivera a top choice? Probably not. Is he the right choice? Not likely, but that doesn't mean it isn't an interesting pursuit to see the Jets consider him. 

Now as for Rex Ryan, the former Jets Head Coach has wanted back in for a while. He's been campaigning for the job openly on ESPN since October. 

On the Jake Asman Show on ESPN NY, Rex stated that he believes he will interview for his old job rather soon. Should the Jets go down this road? 

It's not unusual for teams to saddle up again with their former Head Coach.  Joe Gibbs went back to Washington after more than a decade away in 2004. But he never again came close to duplicating the Super Bowl efforts he had previously with the then-Redskins. Instead Washington under Gibbs in the mid 00s made the playoffs only twice, and were knocked out each time. 

Bringing back Rex Ryan and all of his bluster is a risky move. While one can applaud Ryan for being the one true candidate who wants to coach here, and has a passion for the franchise, going all in on round two of Rex Ryan in today's game just seems inconceivable. 

 While it's a start, figure the Jets are going to search long and hard for the next coach of this franchise.