The only coaches I am certain are better options than Rex Ryan are (in no particular order): 1. Bill Belichick 2. Jim Harbaugh 3. John Harbaugh 4. Pete Carroll 5. Bill Cowher 6. Mike Holmgren and maybe ... 7. John Fox Everyone else is a crap-shoot at best.
Maybe John Fox? Really? Let's just see who else is out there: 1. Let's just start with Bruce Arians who went 11-5 this year despite losing key starters including starters at QB, DT, RB, and several other positions. The blurb below sums it up: "Here’s everything you need to know about Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians: In his first season as a head coach, in 2012, he was named the NFL coach of the year. In his second season as a head coach, in 2013, he got some coach of the year votes and would have been a very good choice. And now in his third season as a head coach, he’s the overwhelming favorite to win coach of the year again." 2. You obviously forgot Andy Reid who not only turned the Eagles into a perrenial playoff team but turned the Kansas City Chiefs around in one year. His offensive coordinator with the Eagles was Marty Morningwig yet he was able to win anyway. 3. Jason Garrett has kept the Cowboys in the playoff hunt for the last several years. His offenses are always among the most dangerous in the league. 4. Tom Couglin and his two Superbowl rings are laughing at Rex Ryan and his two AFC Championship appearances. 5. Chip Kelly and his new style offense are a threat every time they step on the field. They even made Jets fans long for Mark Sanchez. That's five other coaches better than Rex and I barely left the NFC East.
I'd consider Arians, but I wouldn't trade Rex straight-up for any of the other four; and Arians hasn't even coached a playoff game yet - you might want to cool your jets a bit before sculpting his Canton bust. Coughlin's a very good coach, but he's only going to coach another year or two max. Kelly runs a gimmick offense that doesn't work after your starting QB is injured (which will happen every season in the pros with that offensive scheme). Andy Reid is a Marty Schottenheimer "will get you to the playoffs a ton, will NEVER win you a championship because he plays not to lose" type. And I don't know what anybody would see in Garrett - his teams have been loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, including a Pro Bowl-caliber QB for his entire time there and all I see is a lot of average results.
The difference is that Garrett gets his talented players to play like pro bowlers. Rex has talent all over the place and the results just aren't there. How many times have teams run up the gut or thrown a deep ball for a score against Rex and his all star defense?
Which of Rex's players left the Jets and had his performance improve dramatically? HINT: The only one, on either side of the ball, that is even debatable is Cromartie.
Not debatable, Cromartie played lights out this year. cough Revis cough Matt Slauson Dwight Lowery Mark Sanchez Danny Woodhead Shonn Greene Jerricho Cotchery Steve Weatherford Ropati Pitoitua James Ihedigbo Kellen Clemens Josh Mauga Leon Washington Joe McKnight Vlad Ducasse
Best Head Coaching Option : Dan Quinn He holds his players accountable, can be strict, and is not married to a particular scheme or system. Worst: Tom Cable/Jim Mora
