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Rex Ryan officially adds 7 ex-Jets assistants to Buffalo Bills' staff
Dom Cosentino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Dom Cosentino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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on January 15, 2015 at 3:30 PM, updated January 15, 2015 at 4:01 PM
The world has seen this coming for days, really.
First, there was this report from Star-Ledger alumna Kim Jones of NFL Network. Then there was Rex Ryan hopping on the Sabres' bandwagon with several of his former Jets assistants in tow. Then came Ryan's introductory press conference as the Bills' head coach, an affair attended by six former members of Ryan's staff with the Jets, which wasn't exactly subtle. And then came defensive line coach Karl Dunbar's goodbye note on Twitter.
And now it's official. The Bills on Thursday announced that seven assistant coaches who were on Ryan's staff with the Jets in 2014 would be joining him in Buffalo: defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, linebackers coach Bobby April III, defensive backs coach Tim McDonald, tight ends coach Tony Sparano Jr., assistant D-line coach Jeff Weeks, special teams assistant Eric Smith, and Dunbar.
All of above-named coaches will assume the same role with the Bills they had in '14 with the Jets except Sparano Jr., who was an offensive assistant; Weeks, who was an assistant for both the D-line and linebackers; and Smith, a former Jets safety who was a seasonal intern last year. The Bills also said Ryan would keep Bills defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson on staff to be co-D-backs coach with McDonald. Henderson had been the Jets' defensive coordinator in 2004-05 under head coach Herm Edwards.
As for any ex-Jets assistants not joining Ryan, offensive line coach Mike Devlin will assume the same role with the Texans, while assistant head coach/running backs Anthony Lynn is due to interview for the offensive coordinator openings with the Browns and Jaguars. If any other 2014 Jets coaches are going to Buffalo, it hasn't yet been announced.
Back at One Jets Drive, new Jets head coach Todd Bowles is confirmed to be targeting ex-Cowboys and Bills head coach Chan Gailey as his offensive coordinator and Dolphins defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers as his defensive coordinator.
Dom Cosentino may be reached at dcosentino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @domcosentino. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
Dom Cosentino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Dom Cosentino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on January 15, 2015 at 3:30 PM, updated January 15, 2015 at 4:01 PM
The world has seen this coming for days, really.
First, there was this report from Star-Ledger alumna Kim Jones of NFL Network. Then there was Rex Ryan hopping on the Sabres' bandwagon with several of his former Jets assistants in tow. Then came Ryan's introductory press conference as the Bills' head coach, an affair attended by six former members of Ryan's staff with the Jets, which wasn't exactly subtle. And then came defensive line coach Karl Dunbar's goodbye note on Twitter.
And now it's official. The Bills on Thursday announced that seven assistant coaches who were on Ryan's staff with the Jets in 2014 would be joining him in Buffalo: defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, linebackers coach Bobby April III, defensive backs coach Tim McDonald, tight ends coach Tony Sparano Jr., assistant D-line coach Jeff Weeks, special teams assistant Eric Smith, and Dunbar.
All of above-named coaches will assume the same role with the Bills they had in '14 with the Jets except Sparano Jr., who was an offensive assistant; Weeks, who was an assistant for both the D-line and linebackers; and Smith, a former Jets safety who was a seasonal intern last year. The Bills also said Ryan would keep Bills defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson on staff to be co-D-backs coach with McDonald. Henderson had been the Jets' defensive coordinator in 2004-05 under head coach Herm Edwards.
As for any ex-Jets assistants not joining Ryan, offensive line coach Mike Devlin will assume the same role with the Texans, while assistant head coach/running backs Anthony Lynn is due to interview for the offensive coordinator openings with the Browns and Jaguars. If any other 2014 Jets coaches are going to Buffalo, it hasn't yet been announced.
Back at One Jets Drive, new Jets head coach Todd Bowles is confirmed to be targeting ex-Cowboys and Bills head coach Chan Gailey as his offensive coordinator and Dolphins defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers as his defensive coordinator.
Dom Cosentino may be reached at dcosentino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @domcosentino. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
