For the first time in 20 years, Rex and Rob Ryan are back where they spent their upbringing: together. And not a moment too soon.
Following the passing of their beloved, reviled and influential father, the Buffalo Bills' head coach and defensive coordinator plan to dedicate this season to their late father Buddy.
“This season means a hell of a lot to us. Our name, our legacy, means a hell of a lot,” Rex told The MMQB. “Our dad is recognized as being one of the great defensive coaches, probably arguably the best, in the history of the game. You can’t say he’s not in the top five, certainly. And we’ve been pretty successful through the years ourselves, but nothing like we want to be. We have won five Super Bowls as a family, but we want to win our sixth at some point. And I want to win it as a head coach, because that has never been done in our family. Obviously, it’s not like these teams are going to roll down for us. We have to earn everything we get, and we’re a long-ass way away from it. It’s going to take a ton of work. But I really like my team.”
This is the first time Rex and Rob will work together, ahem, unsupervised. The twins served as position coaches under their father for the Arizona Cardinals in 1994-95.
All three Ryans have won Super Bowls as assistants -- Buddy won with the Jets and Bears, Rex with the Ravens and Rob claimed two with the Patriots -- but never as a head coach.
The Bills, 8-8 last season and without a playoff appearance this century, won't be among the favorites to lift the Lombardi Trophy in Houston this February. But you never know in the NFL, and Buffalo will have an extra set of eyes watching the defense from above.
(HT The MMQB)