NFL: Todd Bowles succeeds Rex Ryan as New York Jets head coach
Thursday 15 January 2015 10:33, UK
The New York Jets named former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles as their new head coach.
Bowles, who won a Super Bowl during his playing career as a safety with the Washington Redskins in 1988, replaces Rex Ryan, who was fired last month after six seasons with the Jets.
Before joining the Cardinals, Bowles, 51, spent one season with the Philadelphia Eagles as a secondary coach and part of the campaign as a defensive coordinator.
The 51-year-old signed a four-year deal averaging slightly more than $4m annually according to reports.
The native of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was also a secondary coach with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Jets and spent four years with the Miami Dolphins from 2008-2011 as assistant head coach/secondary coach.
The Jets hired a new general manager, Mike Maccagnan, on Tuesday afternoon and the team moved promptly on Bowles afterwards, hiring him quickly after a second interview in which Maccagnan was present.
Owner Woody Johnson, who led concurrent searches for a coach and GM, said he's "confident" that Bowles and Maccagnan "are the right combination to lead this team."
Johnson fired Ryan – who was subsequently hired as coach of AFC East rivals the Buffalo Bills – and GM John Idzik after a 4-12 season, which was the Jets' fourth straight year missing the play-offs.
“I am proud to welcome Todd Bowles as the head coach of the New York Jets,” Johnson said.
“From entering the league as an undrafted free agent in Washington to becoming a very successful coordinator in Arizona, Todd has earned everything he has achieved.
“He is a hard-working and dedicated leader who has garnered the respect of players and coaches.”
Bowles’ services were in high demand this off-season and he had interviewed for a number of head coaching roles, including the Atlanta Falcons – who were rumoured to be very interested in hiring him – and the San Francisco 49ers.
“It’s an honour and privilege to coach the Jets,” said Bowles. “I can’t help but be humbled by the chance to coach this team. I am going to do everything I can to build a consistent winner.”