Well I guess I'll put my two cents into the debate, and make every one mad. LOL
I honestly just don't understand why there is so much hatred directed at Rex Ryan. Yes, I've read all the posts by the "hate Rex crew". Still don't understand.
IMO Rex had more success here then any Jets coach not named Weeb. They were very exciting times. Rex was a very exciting coach. He clearly loved being the coach of the Jets. Probably from the days when his Daddy won a ring here. He badly wanted to win one to. I really enjoyed his time here.
He and Mike T. gambled heavy on on Sanchez. They gambled that Sanchez was going to take the step forward in 2011, and become a franchise QB. They mortgaged the future bringing in older players, and signing core players to big contracts in a win now gamble.
They gambled and lost. Sanchez never made that leap forward, the team got old fast, and the party was over. Rex certainly had his faults, but if Sanchez became that franchise QB, and they hit one role of luck, Rex is still here, rebuilding, and the argument wouldn't be how much he is hated, it's whether he's the greatest Jets coach of all time.
Just the way it is. The NFL is a what have you done for me lately league. Rex's team got old, and so did his act as they missed the play offs again, and again. When he got fired it was time. It's also time for Jets' fans to move on from him. He's the HC of the Bills now, and personally I'm concerned about that. Rex can get his guys to to play top shelf when he is passionate on a game.
Rex certainly wasn't the worst coach in the NFL, an he's not the best.
JMO
I'm on the same boat. I like Rex. He was the coach that has brought to me the most exciting times as a Jets fan. Those back to back AFC championship teams, the bravado and backing it up. It was fun to be a jets fan. Unfortunately, his schtick got old when the team started to suck. It was time for him to go. Whether it was his fault or someone elses. He was hear too long. The fans and players were tuning him out.
He has his flaws but he was fun to watch. Time will tell if his coaching method works.