The New York Jets have signed Todd Bowles as their new head coach, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The contract is for four years. Bowles comes over from the Arizona Cardinals, where he worked as the defensive coordinator since 2013, and replaces Rex Ryan, who New York fired after six seasons with the franchise.
Todd Bowles named New York Jets head coach
Bowles succeeds Rex Ryan after serving two seasons as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals signed Bowles to an extension through the 2017 season in November in the hopes of making it difficult for him to leave Arizona, but the Cardinals' success this season amid numerous injuries made Bowles a hot name for several teams. He was mentioned as the frontrunner for the Atlanta Falcons only days ago, and the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears were also reportedly interested in Bowles.
Bowles is expected to bring Chan Gailey on as his offensive coordinator, and the former Bills head coach has his work cut out for him. New York has struggled over the past four years, failing to make the playoffs after consecutive AFC Championship appearances in 2009-10. The Jets have not been able to find a competent offense under Ryan, so it’s not surprising that Bowles went for a veteran offensive mind as his first hire.
Bowles began his coaching career with the Green Bay Packers in 1995 as part of the player personnel staff before leaving in 1997 to join Morehouse College as its defensive coordinator. He left for Grambling State a year later, where he acted as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach until 2000 when he joined the Jets. Bowles worked as the defensive backs coach for a year in New York before going to the Cleveland Browns from 2001-04 in the same capacity.
After going to the Dallas Cowboys from 2005-07, he signed on with the Miami Dolphins and became the assistant head coach. Bowles was also named interim head coach after Tony Sparano was fired, going 2-1 in three games. Bowles latched on with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012 as the defensive coordinator before leaving for Arizona to take the same job in 2013.
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