ESPN NFL analyst and former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys for their open defensive coordinator position. According to fellow ESPNer Adam Schefter, Mike Zimmer got the job over Ryan.
But, as ANOTHER famous ESPNer – Lee Corso – is fond of saying: “Not so fast, my friend!”
During the network’s pregame Super Bowl coverage, Schefter delivered a report that the Cowboys are expected to hire former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer as their new defensive coordinator. This was news to Ryan, though, and he had no qualms about saying so.
“This week, the Dallas Cowboys went ahead and hired Mike Zimmer as their defensive coordinator,” Schefter reported. “Obviously, they talked to a wide number of candidates, like our own Rex Ryan … They loved Rex, they were highly impressed with Rex.
(Marco Garcia/USA TODAY Sports)
“I’m a little surprised they didn’t hire him because they loved him, but I’m very happy they didn’t hire him,” Schefter continued. “We are happy to have him [at ESPN]. ”
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Host Sam Ponder joked about teams trying to steal Ryan away from ESPN, which made everyone laugh, including Ryan.
But Ryan got serious, saying, “I can honestly say…I'm not really confident that Zimmer has the job right now…I don't think that's the case right now.”
hard!
Ryan went on to explain that he wanted to get back into coaching because the right opportunity presented itself. So he said he personally called head coach Mike McCarthy. It seems like Ryan really wants the Cowboys coordinator position.
So the question is, is Ryan simply unable to accept that he didn't get the job, or does he know something that Schefter doesn't?
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Both possibilities are certainly possible, but if Mr. Schefter was wrong in that report – especially since he is a colleague of Mr. Ryan's – that would mean that Mr. Schefter, who has received a lot of criticism for his report recently. It will look bad for him.
I can't wait to see where this story goes next…
