[NDmick]

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Four coaches have led New York through memorable and painful times throughout the past decade however there is one coach who has been through it all in spite of the fact that his future was oft in doubt. And that man is none other than linebackers coach Bob Sutton who becomes the longest tenured coach in the team’s 51 year history.

Since Sutton was hired by the Jets as an assistant coach, U.S. presidents have come and gone, clothing trends and hair styles have altered, social networking has gone from happy hours and power lunches to Facebook and Twitter and — oh, yes — the Jets are on their fourth head coach.

Sutton, who coaches linebackers for the Jets and is in his 11th season as an assistant coach with the team — the longest tenure in franchise history — is an absolute anomaly. Assistant coaches in the NFL normally do not survive from one head-coaching regime to another. Since the days when players played in leather helmets, head coaches have been bringing in their own assistants — guys they’ve worked with before, friends, former roommates, whatever.

Assistants from the previous staff, however, rarely are retained. Sutton has survived three head-coaching changes with the Jets and is thriving under his fourth: Rex Ryan.

[...]

The 59-year-old Sutton recalled his move to the NFL and a warning he issued to his wife at the time.

“When I came to the Jets with Al I told my wife, ‘You know this is a volatile business with a lot of movement, so …’ “ Sutton said. “When Al left I figured, ‘OK, I guess I’ll be in the NFL one year.’ The NFL consists of a pretty tight-knit group of people. There are only 32 teams and 32 linebacker coaches.

“The turnover of [Jets] head coaches has been pretty much the way it is [the norm] around the league, so I feel fortunate I’ve been able to stay. It is unusual.”

That fact is not lost on Ryan.

When asked about Sutton’s rare staying power, having survived through three head coach departures with the Jets, Ryan joked, “First off, I hope he doesn’t go through another one. I know Sutton will be here. I hope I’m here for a long time with him.”

Turning serious, Ryan said, “There was never a doubt I wanted Bob Sutton on my staff. This guy was a great head coach in college. He’s been a terrific assistant coach. I know the kind of teacher he is and the kind of coach he is. He’s loyal. He’s demanding. He loves the players, respects the players and he gets the most out of the players. You can’t ask for much more than that.

“He’s just a terrific football coach. I think that’s what’s kept him through so many [regimes]. This isn’t the most secure job at all times. You want a guy like Bob Sutton on your staff. We’re fortunate to have him still.”

Why has Sutton lasted through all these regimes?

“Bob can adapt to any kind of defense,” linebacker Calvin Pace said. “He’s coached 3-4, 4-3, whatever you want to call our defense now — all over the place. He’s our eyes; he gets us ready. I know that when I come in on Wednesday Bob’s going to have it broken down for me.”

As with any regime change it is not often that you see guys like Sutton stick around long but it is nice to see that the team has found some versatility in Sutton (adapting to various defensive schemes) and continuity as well which is something the franchise has, as we have seen many times, lacked.

With that said, cheers to Mr. Sutton and may his success continue (i.e. may Davis Harris and Bart Scott continue to wreak havoc on the opposing offense).

as long as he's not DC-ing, its all good.

[Cakes]

Sutton, who coaches linebackers for the Jets and is in his 11th season as an assistant coach with the team — the longest tenure in franchise history — is an absolute anomaly.

the 11 years ties him with Weeb Ewbank

[NDmick]

The headline was what it was.

[firemanedjr]

The difference in the defense from 2008 to 2009, with virtually the exact same personnel, just outlines the meaning of a great defensive coordinator. Rex Ryan is a genius, Bob Sutton is not.

[MBGreen]

i'd still feel more comfortable if Bob Sutton was "parking cars" for Woody.

[kinghenry89]

I've always wondered whether the Jets complete refusal to blitz down the stretch in '08 was Sutton's fault or Mangini's. I guess we'll never really know.

[WhiteShoeWillis]

Sutton has done pretty well as a LB'rs coach for us.

[Steve032]

Originally Posted by firemanedjr

The difference in the defense from 2008 to 2009, with virtually the exact same personnel, just outlines the meaning of a great defensive coordinator. Rex Ryan is a genius, Bob Sutton is not.

Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard were pretty big additions. Also, Douglas, Shepperd, and Strick were all upgrades over what we had.

[MBGreen]

Originally Posted by WhiteShoeWillie

Sutton has done pretty well as a LB'rs coach for us.

fuck Bob Sutton.....straight to hell.

[Miamipuck]

Originally Posted by MBGreen

fuck Bob Sutton.....straight to hell.

Didn't know he took long trips up to bumblefuck, Canada.........Level with us he was tapping your wife?

[ThunderbirdJet]

Anyone who blames Sutton when he was DC under Mangini is fooling themselves. Sutton was DC in title only. Mangini was doing the job of DC. Sutton just did Mangini's bidding. If you paid any attention at all to the sideline conversations between Sutton and Mangini, it was obvious, but fans have to have someone to blame.

Sutton is a good coach. His tenure proves that point. Frankly, I think he will get another shot at DC elsewhere, I believe, sooner or later.

There are quite a few NFL HC's who name coordinators in name only. Often, they are given the title just to be a scapegoat when th HC needs one. Herm was great at that.

Coaches that are secure don't have to do that. Bellichick has always been the Pats DC since Crennel left. He didn't even bother to name a new one this year. He is secure, and doesn't need a scapegoat in the wings.

Sutton gets blamed, unfairly, for the year he was DC under Mangini.

[desert swordz]

Originally Posted by WhiteShoeWillie

Sutton has done pretty well as a LB'rs coach for us.

I guess we won't know whether it was really Mangini or Sutton that was behind the atrocious 3-8 defensive scheme in 08, but regardless, I don't think that should factor in when we judge how Sutton teaches/develops a player's technique as a positional coach. As a linebacker's coach I haven't had any qualms with Sutton, either.

[Chrisp22]

Originally Posted by kinghenry89

I've always wondered whether the Jets complete refusal to blitz down the stretch in '08 was Sutton's fault or Mangini's. I guess we'll never really know.

I used to wonder about lot of decisions made from that regime but have moved on.

Sutton wouldn't have been my first choice for a coach under any circumstance after 2008 but the LB play was good last season and the players generally like him so if it ain't broke, then don't fix it.

[biggundewayne63]

he looks likes hes pissed off whenever rex is up to his antics on hard knocks. prob cause hes an army guy.

[nyjunc]

Originally Posted by Cakes

the 11 years ties him with Weeb Ewbank

Maybe they mean games? Weeb coached before the 16 game sched so Sutton will be entering his 11th season but has already coached in 6 more games than Weeb did.

Originally Posted by ThunderbirdJet

Anyone who blames Sutton when he was DC under Mangini is fooling themselves. Sutton was DC in title only. Mangini was doing the job of DC. Sutton just did Mangini's bidding. If you paid any attention at all to the sideline conversations between Sutton and Mangini, it was obvious, but fans have to have someone to blame.

Sutton is a good coach. His tenure proves that point. Frankly, I think he will get another shot at DC elsewhere, I believe, sooner or later.

There are quite a few NFL HC's who name coordinators in name only. Often, they are given the title just to be a scapegoat when th HC needs one. Herm was great at that.

Coaches that are secure don't have to do that. Bellichick has always been the Pats DC since Crennel left. He didn't even bother to name a new one this year. He is secure, and doesn't need a scapegoat in the wings.

Sutton gets blamed, unfairly, for the year he was DC under Mangini.