The path that led Rex Ryan to become the Jets' new coach
data processing serviceThe Jets' coaching search lasted three weeks and included at least eight candidates. A day-by-day breakdown, how they went from Eric Mangini to Rex Ryan. Dec. 29: Mangini is fired one day after the Jets finish 9-7, missing the playoffs after losing four of their last five. They request permission to speak with Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the first candidate in whom they show interest. Dec. 30: A wild day. The Jets contact Bill Cowher's agent, who agrees to arrange a meeting with his client and the Jets. Cowher has a change of heart; he wants to meet with owner Woody Johnson, but is told that Johnson is out of the country and unavailable. At 10:55 p.m., the Jets announce that Cowher has withdrawn from consideration. Dec. 31: The Jets receive permission to interview Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. Mike Shanahan, unexpectedly fired the previous day by the Broncos, is on the Jets' radar as a periphery candidate. Jan. 1: The Jets' interest in Shanahan is getting warmer, but so is Shanahan. He says he
data processing is taking off for a two-week beach vacation. Jan. 2: The interviews commence. First up, the two in-house candidates: offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and offensive-line coach Bill Callahan. Johnson, still on vacation, doesn't participate in either interview, bringing a firestorm of criticism. Told that Shanahan is taking a vacation, the Jets' interest cools considerably. Jan. 3: Spagnuolo interviews at the Jets' facility in Florham Park, N.J. Still no Johnson. Cards assistant head coach
data processRuss Grimm and Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski emerge as candidates. The Jets send a feeler to Shanahan, trying to gauge his interest. Jan. 4: Former Ravens coach Brian Billick emerges as a candidate, but no interview is scheduled. ESPN reports that Jagodzinski has been told by school officials that he will be fired if he takes an interview with the Jets. Jan. 5: The Jets receive permission
data processing service to interview Grimm, who is considered a viable candidate. Jan. 6: Busy day at One Jets Drive. Johnson, back from vacation, meets privately with Schottenheimer, who emerges as the early dark horse. They also interview Jagodzinski, who seals his fate at BC. The Jets receive permission to speak with Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. Jan. 7: Jagodzinski, not regarded as a serious candidate, is fired by BC. Johnson meets privately with Callahan. Mangini accepts an offer to become the Browns' coach. Jan. 8: Johnson and Tannenbaum fly to
data processing Phoenix to interview Cards assistant head coach Russ Grimm. Afterward, they fly to the Bay Area, where they have a clandestine meeting with Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, not regarded as a serious candidate. Meanwhile, Mangini is introduced at a news conference in Cleveland. Jan. 9: Meeks is interviewed in Florham Park. Jan. 11: One day after the Ravens' divisional-playoff victory in Tennessee, Ryan meets for five hours with Johnson and Tannenbaum in the Baltimore area. Ryan becomes the
data process eighth known candidate to interview for the job. Jan. 13: Spagnuolo has a secret meeting with Johnson and Tannenbaum at Johnson's Manhattan office. Harbaugh, in a statement released through Stanford, indicates he will remain with the school. Jan. 14: The Daily News reports that Ryan will be named the Jets' coach as soon as the Ravens' season is over. The Ravens are preparing to face the Steelers in the AFC
data processing service Championship Game. Jan. 15: Word leaks of Spagnuolo's clandestine meeting with the Jets. Sources close to the search say his agent was the reason it wasn't publicized in the first place. By now, Spagnuolo is in Los Angeles, interviewing for the Rams' job. Jan. 17: Spagnuolo is hired by the Rams, leaving Ryan for the Jets. Ryan, too, is interviewed by
data processing the Rams, but no other teams. Jan. 18: The Ravens lose the AFC title game in Pittsburgh, making Ryan free to field offers. Less than 30 minutes after the game, Jets officials are telling people they have their man. Interestingly, the Ravens' postgame locker room includes two of the eight candidates, as Harbaugh visits his brother,
data process Ravens coach John Harbaugh. Jan. 19: By 10 a.m., it's official: Ryan agrees to a four-year contract worth a reported $11.5 million.