The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly on the verge of bringing in Mike Zimmer as their new defensive coordinator. However, they also reportedly considered former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan for the position.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys were highly impressed with Ryan during the interview process. Schefter noted that Ryan made a significant impression on the Jones family, the owners of the Cowboys. Despite this, it seems the Cowboys ultimately opted not to hire Ryan.
Ryan himself expressed uncertainty about Zimmer definitively securing the job. He disclosed that he reached out to Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy about the defensive coordinator vacancy because he aspires to return to coaching and believes the Cowboys have the potential to reach the Super Bowl.
Ryan, aged 61, has not coached since the 2016 season. Throughout his coaching career, he has served as a defensive coordinator at various universities and with the Baltimore Ravens. Additionally, he was the head coach of the New York Jets from 2009 to 2016.
While it is not uncommon for teams to hire coaches who have been away from the profession for a period, as demonstrated by Jon Gruden’s return to coaching with the Las Vegas Raiders, it would have been surprising if the Cowboys had chosen Ryan for the role.
