It’s been the worst kept secret in the league since Friday but Adam Schefter is now reporting that Cowboys’ “team sources” have confirmed to him that the team will be hiring Rob Ryan.
It will be interesting to see Ryan cursing up and down the sidelines of Jerryworld next season. Ryan has been a constant source of material here with his filterless approach in dealing with the media. A week ago, Craig compiled a list of Ryan’s “Top Ten Quotes” of this past season.
I enjoyed Ryan’s personality on the Browns, who seem to have had either boring or brainless (or both) coaches since their return in 1999. The defense was obviously the strength of this team during the 2010 season and Ryan was respected, and even loved, by his players on that side of the ball.
Rob became a head coaching candidate this offseason, interviewing with the Carolina Panthers. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is notoriously cheap and he was looking for a first time head coaching candidate who would command less money. That job eventually went to Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. Ryan, who was not expecting to be retained with Eric Mangini’s departure and Pat Shurmur’s arrival, went to plan B and started looking laterally for another defensive coordinator job. He put in good work in Cleveland and was always expected to easily land somewhere else in that same role. Ryan had one year left on his deal with the Browns. Dallas is a high profile position which will only provide him more national recognition as he spouts off from the podium.
The Browns must now find a defensive coordinator. Dick Jauron, Eagles defensive backs coach, continues to be at the top of the Browns’ wish list. He has significant experience as both a coordinator and head coach and also has a history of working with Mike Holmgren. The Eagles, who have granted the Browns permission to interview Jauron, may preempt the Browns plans to pursuit Jauron as they fired their own defensive coordinator, Sean McDermott, last night. Many expect the Eagles to make a run at promoting Jauron. This also makes McDermott a potential option for the Browns although he will probably have to fill a defensive position coach somewhere. Other more likely options include Jim Mora Jr., Dave Wannstedt, and Mike Singletary.
As for offensive coordinator, the Browns had been targeting Mike McCoy of the Broncos who opted to stay in Denver and continue to work with Tim Tebow. Mary Kay Cabot reports that their new target could be Rams receivers coach Nolan Cromwell. He obviously has experience working with Shurmur but has also spent time working alongside Mike Holmgren in Green Bay and Seattle. Jim Zorn, who spent this season as the Ravens quarterbacks coach, could emerge as another OC candidate with the Ravens ousted from the playoffs last night. Zorn spent time on Holmgren’s staff in Seattle.
