19TH YEAR IN THE NFL

1ST YEAR WITH THE BILLS

HEAD COACH
REX RYAN
On January 12, 2015, the Buffalo Bills named Rex
Ryan the 18th head coach in franchise history. Ryan
enters his first season as Buffalos head coach and
his 19th season in the NFL coaching ranks.

Jets ranked second in total yards allowed per game

(306.9).
The Jets defense saw an immediate improvement
upon Ryans arrival in New York, improving from
the 16th ranked defense in 2008 to the leagues top
defense in 2009 allowing just 252.3 yards per game in
Ryans inaugural season as the Jets head coach.

Ryan joins the Bills after spending six seasons as the

head coach of the New York Jets. Ryan ranked third
in Jets history with 50 wins (regular season and postseason) during his tenure in New York. His 4-2 record
in the postseason was the best in franchise history.
Ryans Jets defenses would go on to rank in the top
Ryan led the Jets to the postseason in his first two
10 of the NFL in five out of his six years as head
seasons with the franchise
coach (2009-1st, 2010in 2009 and 2010 as the
3rd, 2011-5th, 2012-8th,
Ryans Record as a Coach
team advanced to the AFC
2014-6th).
Championship game in
College assistant coach (10 seasons)57-57
both postseason appearRyans 2013 version of the
NFL assistant regular season (12 seasons)103-89
ances.
Jets defense didnt land
NFL assistant postseason..7-4
among the top 10 NFL deNFL Head Coach regular season (six seasons)46-50
Ryans 46 regular season NFL Head Coach postseason..4-2
fense, but still ranked well
wins during his time with
Career Total (28 seasons).217-202 in several other categories
New York rank as the third
including third in the NFL
most in Jets history behind
in rushing defense (1,412
Weeb Ewbank (71) and Joe Walton (53).
yards allowed) while finishing first in opponents per
carry average (3.4). The defense also produced 41
Renowned for his defensive prowess, Ryan inherits
sacks, the most by a Ryan led defense since his 2006
a Bills defense that finished 2014 allowing the fewest
Ravens had 60 and the most by a Jets defense since
points per defensive drive (1.41) in the NFL and also
it also produced 41 in 2008. Pacing the team were
led the league in sacks with 54 quarterback takecareer-best performances from defensive lineman
downs.
Muhammad Wilkerson (10.5) and linebacker Calvin
Pace (10.0), who became the first pair of Jets deFrom 2009-2014, the Jets ranked first in the NFL in
fenders to both produce double-digit sacks since Joe
passing yards allowed (204.3), opponent completion
Klecko (20.5) and Mark Gastineau (20) accomplished
percentage (55.7), opponent first downs (1,667),
the feat in 1981.
and yards allowed per defensive play (4.9). The

RYANS RANKINGS AS AN NFL DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR & HEAD COACH

YEAR
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

TEAM
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore
New York Jets
New York Jets
New York Jets
New York Jets
New York Jets
New York Jets

NFL RANK


TOTAL RUSH PASS
5th 9th 8th
1st 2nd 6th
6th 2nd 20th
2nd 3rd 2nd
1st 8th 1st
3rd 3rd 6th
5th 13th
5th
8th
26th 2nd
11th 3rd
22nd
6th
5th
14th

AFC RANK
TOTAL RUSH PASS
2nd 6th 4th
1st 1st 4th
5th 1st 12th
2nd 2nd 2nd
1st 4th 1st
3rd 2nd 4th
4th 7th 5th
5th
12th 2nd
5th
1st
11th
3rd
3rd
8th

Ryan showed the ability to win with a rookie quarterback during his time with the Jets. Twice during his
tenure in New York, the Jets started a rookie at quarterback, making Ryan the only head coach in the Super Bowl era to start a rookie quarterback in at least
10 games in two of his first five seasons in the league.
Ryans success with Mark Sanchez (2009) and Geno
Smith (2013) made him the only head coach in the
Super Bowl era to win eight-or-more games with a
rookie quarterback in two different seasons.
Before becoming the head coach of the Jets, Ryan
spent 10 seasons (1999-2008) with the Ravens.
During that time, the Ravens ranked first in the NFL
in fewest points allowed (17.1 points per game),
fewest rushing yards allowed (87.3 yards per game),
most shutouts (9), most takeaways (337), most
interceptions (212), most interceptions returned for
touchdowns (29) and third-down conversion defense
(33.9%). They also ranked second in total defense
(280.7 yards per game) and fourth in sacks (416) in
that span.
Ryan began his Ravens career as the defensive line
coach for Brian Billick in 1999, when the Ravens defense finished second in the NFL in total defense and
second against the run. In 2000, the defense allowed
the fewest points in a 16-game season in NFL history
(165) en route to winning Super Bowl XXXV.
Ryan was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005.
During his four seasons in that role, the Ravens finished fifth (2005), first (2006), sixth (2007) and second
(2008) in total defense. In 2006, the Ravens defense
allowed only 201 points and 264 yards per game, and
Ryan was named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year
by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers
Association.
In 2008, new Ravens head coach John Harbaugh
named Ryan assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. That season, the Ravens defense led the league
with 34 takeaways, 26 interceptions, a 60.6 opponents

passer rating, and four rushing TDs allowed.

Prior to joining the Ravens, Ryan was a defensive
coordinator in college at Oklahoma (1998) and Cincinnati (1996-97). His first NFL coaching stint was
with the Cardinals under father Buddy Ryan, when
he oversaw the Cardinals defensive line in 1994 and
linebackers in 1995 (on the same staff with his twin
brother, Rob, now the New Orleans Saints defensive
coordinator). Rex also coached at Morehead State
(1990-93), New Mexico Highlands (1989) and Eastern
Kentucky (1987-88).
Before Ryan became a coach, he had a chance to
see some great defenses up close and personal. Buddy brought him along to practices when he became
the Jets defensive line coach for the 1968 season
the Jets Super Bowl III season, of course. Rex then
watched his dad coach the 1985 Chicago Bears.
He was a ballboy for those Bears teams early in his
fathers tenure as the defensive coordinator. He left
for college during the 1985 season, but was on the
sidelines during Super Bowl XX, when the Bears
finished their 18-1 run with a 46-10 victory over New
England and Buddy was carried off on his defenders
shoulders.
Ryans connection to Buffalo dates back to the 1960s,
as his father was the defensive coordinator at the
University of Buffalo from 1961 to 1965.
Ryan, 52, graduated from Stevenson (IL) High School
in Prairie View, IL, and played football at SW Oklahoma State, where he earned his bachelors degree in
physical education in 1986. He earned his masters
degree in physical education at Eastern Kentucky in
1988.
Ryan was born in Ardmore, OK. He and his wife,
Michelle, have two sons, Payton, named for Walter
Payton, and Seth.

FAST FACTS
Has been to two AFC Championship games and holds a 4-2 playoff record.
Oversaw a Jets defense that finished in the top 10 in total defense five out of his six seasons
as the Jets head coach.
Only head coach in the Super Bowl era to win eight or more games with a rookie quarterback
in two different seasons (Mark Sanchez in 2009 and Geno Smith in 2013).
Named NFL Assistant Coach of the Year by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers
Association in 2006 for his work as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
Served as a ball boy with the Chicago Bears while his father, Buddy Ryan, was their defensive
coordinator.
His twin brother, Rob Ryan, is currently the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.
Rex and Rob coached under their father, Buddy, when he was the head coach of the Arizona
Cardinals in 1994 and 95.
His father, Buddy, was the University of Buffalo defensive coordinator from 1961 to 1965.

RYANS COACHING CAREER

NFL
2009-2014
2008
2005-2007
1999-2004

NY Jets
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens

Head Coach
Asst. HC/Defensive Coor. (HC John Harbaugh)
Defensive Coordinator (HC Brian Billick)
Defensive Line (HC Brian Billick)

College
1998
1996-97
1995
1994
1990-93
1989
1987-88

Oklahoma
Cincinnati
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
Morehead State
New Mexico Highlands
Eastern Kentucky

Defensive Coordinator (HC John Blake)

Defensive Coordinator (HC Rick Minter)
Linebackers (HC Buddy Ryan)
Defensive Line (HC Buddy Ryan)
Defensive Coordinator (HC Cole Proctor)
Asst. HC/Defensive Coor. (HC George Martinez)
Defensive Ends (HC Roy Kidd)

RYANS COACHING HISTORY

YEAR
LOCATION



1987 Eastern Kentucky (Defensive Ends)
1988 Eastern Kentucky (Defensive Ends)
1989 New Mexico Highlands (Asst. HC/DC)
1990 Morehead State (Defensive Coordinator)
1991 Morehead State (Defensive Coordinator)
1992 Morehead State (Defensive Coordinator)
1993 Morehead State (Defensive Coordinator)
1994 Arizona Cardinals (Defensive Line)
1995 Arizona Cardinals (Linebackers)
1996 Cincinnati (Defensive Coordinator)
1997 Cincinnati (Defensive Coordinator)
1998 Oklahoma (Defensive Coordinator)
1999 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Line)
2000 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Line)
2001 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Line)
2002 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Line)
2003 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Line)
2004 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Line)
2005 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Coordinator)
2006 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Coordinator)
2007 Baltimore Ravens (Defensive Coordinator)
2008 Baltimore Ravens (Asst. HC/DC)
2009 New York Jets (Head Coach)
2010 New York Jets (Head Coach)
2011 New York Jets (Head Coach)
2012 New York Jets (Head Coach)
2013 New York Jets (Head Coach)
2014 New York Jets (Head Coach)

RECORD
9-3
11-3
3-7
5-6
4-7
3-8
3-8
8-8
4-12
6-5
8-4
5-6
8-8
12-4
10-6
7-9
10-6
9-7
6-10
13-3
5-11
11-5
9-7
11-5
8-8
6-10
8-8
4-12

ACHIEVEMENTS

Humanitarian Bowl Champion

Super Bowl Champion
Lost 2nd Round Playoffs
Lost 1st Round Playoffs
Lost 2nd Round Playoffs
Lost AFC Championship
Lost AFC Championship
Lost AFC Championship