For the first time since 1995, twin brothers Rex and Rob Ryan will be on the same coaching staff. Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez reports that the Buffalo Bills are hiring Rob as a defensive assistant on Rex’s staff:
Source tells @NFLonFOX that Rob Ryan is joining @buffalobills defensive coaching staff working under/with his twin brother Rex.
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 11, 2016
Rob’s specific coaching title is unknown, and he most recently served as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints before being fired in November. The Saints’ defense was brutal, allowing an NFL-worst 29.8 points per game. However, the talent level was so poor that it’s hard to really say how much Rob was to blame for the defense’s failures.
Rob started his job as defensive coordinator with the Saints in 2013, and has been a defensive coordinator around the league in every season since 2004 (Raiders in 2004-2008, Browns in 2009-2010, Cowboys in 2011-2012).
Rex was hired by the Bills in 2015, and the team finished with a disappointing 8-8 record despite a talented roster. The defense was particularly disappointing — and worse than 2014 — ranking 19th in yards allowed and 15th in points allowed. Rex, like Rob, is a defensive-focused coach so the expectations in that department are high for Buffalo, and the pressure will be on to improve there. If Buffalo misses the playoffs again in 2016, the Ryan brothers may both be out of a job in this results-based business where we’re seeing coaches get canned after less than three seasons with an organization.
Rex was asked about a possible reunion with Rob in December (via ESPN):
“”You never say never. … It is fun to be around him, there’s no question about it, and I know he’s a great coach. But I think we purposely have tried to set different courses and things. But I never rule out that possibility. Obviously he’s a great coach and if that happens, that’d be great.”
Putting aside the actual coaching, having the Ryan brothers together will certainly be entertaining. They’re two of the best personalities in the sport and the Buffalo media won’t struggle to get quotable material.
Rex and Rob last coached together as assistants with the Arizona Cardinals in 1995, under their father Buddy Ryan.
