Rex Ryan gets his shot to sell the Jets on a reunion on Tuesday.
The Jets will interview their former head coach for his old job in Florida on that day, according to sources.
Ryan, 62, led the Jets from 2009-14.
He went 46-50 with the team in the regular season and 4-2 in the postseason, leading the Jets to the AFC Championship in consecutive seasons in 2009 and 2010. Those are the team’s last playoff appearances.
Ryan coached an additional two years for the Bills, going 15-16 and getting fired before the final game of his second season.
Ryan is currently an analyst for ESPN and has not been shy about his desire to return to his old job.
“I’d like to, there’s no doubt about it,” Ryan said about saving the Jets on “Pardon My Take” in November. “I’ve let everyone know that I definitely would be interested in that job, even though I’ve got a great gig.
“I think I have some unfinished business, especially with that franchise. That particular franchise, you know my dad [Buddy Ryan] was there forever, he won a Super Bowl, and it’s super close to me. I would get back in it if I thought I could make a difference and I think I could make a big difference with that team.”
Mike Tannenbaum, the Jets general manager who hired Ryan, is helping the Jets conduct their search for a new head coach and GM. Tannenbaum works with Ryan at ESPN now.
Jets owner Woody Johnson remains fond of Ryan, who electrified the franchise with his bold talk and entertaining style.
Ryan had great success in his first two years, leading the team to a 20-12 record and those two playoff runs. But things fell off and Ryan went 8-8, 6-10, 8-8 and then 4-12 in his final four seasons with the team as the roster deteriorated and he fought with GM John Idzik, who replaced Tannenbaum in 2013.
The Jets have already interviewed Ron Rivera and Mike Vrabel for the head coaching opening and they will be able to interview candidates currently working for teams this week.
