Who will win todaythe Broncos’ Josh McDaniels or the Jets’ Rex Ryan? Although the teams didn’t meet last year, which coach actually won?
When the Broncos’ owner and his executive staff composed a list of potential coaches to replace Mike Shanahan in early January 2009, McDaniels and Ryan were two of the original eight candidates.
But Ryan, then defensive coordinator of the Ravens, was not interviewed.
The Broncos quickly decided to hire McDaniels, then offensive coordinator of the Patriots.
Ryan got another job.
At the end of Week 6 last season, it seemed as if the Broncos got the better end of the deal. McDaniels’ record was perfect after the Broncos’ victory in San Diego over the Chargers. Ryan’s Jets were .500 following a loss at home to the Bills.
Toward the regular season’s conclusion, Ryan publicly had given up on the playoffs for his Jets, and McDaniels privately believed, with home games remaining against the lowlife Raiders and the lowlight Chiefs, his Broncos would reach the playoffs. The Jets won their last two games; the Broncos lost their last four. The Jets should have thanked the Broncos.
The Jets played for the AFC championship. The Broncos didn’t play for anything in the postseason.
This year the Jets are 4-1, the Broncos 2-3. The Jets were featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” The Broncos mostly have felt hard knocks. Ryan predicted a Super Bowl. McDaniels isn’t in the predicting business.
Who’s winning so far?
(As an aside, McDaniels uttered a rather insalubrious word that was captured on national TV in the game with the Giants last Thanksgiving night. During the recent cable TV series, Ryan utilized the same word about 100 times during training camp.)
It was assumed, incorrectly, that the Broncos would offer their vacant head coaching position to a defense-oriented coach — because the offense had been among the most proficient in the NFL.
I recommended Ryan or Steve Spagnuolo.
Spagnuolo was one of six assistants scheduled for initial interview sessions — along with Raheem Morris, Jason Garrett, Todd Bowles, Leslie Frazier, Rick Dennison and McDaniels.
Jim Schwartz and Rex Ryan were penciled in for later consultations.
Six of the eight were defensive coaches.
Ryan, whose team was still in the playoffs, never got a chance or a call.
McDaniels, whose Patriots were eliminated from the playoffs, so impressed Pat Bowlen and chief operating officer Joe Ellis during their discussion in Providence, R.I., Ellis met with the young coach again. On Jan. 11, the Broncos officially signed McDaniels to a four-year contract.
Eight days later, Ryan got the Jets’ job.
Rex was cross-examined the previous year by a Falcons selection committee that included Brian Xanders, now the Broncos’ general manager, and didn’t pass the test. Despite being the son of longtime NFL defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan (inventor of the Bears’ “46” defense) and brother of Rob Ryan (currently the Browns’ defensive coordinator), and coach of one of the strongest defenses in the NFL in Baltimore, Rex was considered by many teams to be too overzealous and egocentric, too much of a loose cannon, too much of a players’ coach and perhaps, honestly, too fat to become a successful, diplomatic and serious head coach.
McDaniels was, to Bowlen and Ellis, a replica of the young Shanahan (who led the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles), and Ryan another old Wade Phillips (who lasted only two seasons here as head coach). McDaniels had a background on defense too. Ryan was not an offense guy.
Ironically, McDaniels hired Wink Martindale, a protege and somewhat of a look-alike of both Rex and Rob, as linebackers coach, then promoted him to defensive coordinator this year. As Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported, Rex and Wink had dinner at the last Pro Bowl and again Friday night after the Jets came to town early.
Oddly enough, of the other Broncos candidates, two (Morris and Spagnuolo), plus second-tier choice Schwartz, were named head coaches last year.
Ryan has been the most prominent and outspoken — and is flourishing. I can’t imagine McDaniels ever agreeing to participate in “Hard Knocks.”
The comparison of McDaniels and Ryan won’t be finalized today, this season or for years.
Despite all the condemnation of McDaniels in Denver, the Broncos’ leadership is totally committed to him for the term of his contract. If the Broncos get to the playoffs, he will be loved.
Despite all the commendations for Ryan in New York City, the Jets’ masses are quick to eat their own. If the Jets fall short of the playoffs, he will be loathed.
Ryan’s overall record is 15-9 (2-1 in playoff games). McDaniels is 10-11 (0-0).
Who will ultimately win between Rex and Josh? Nobody knows. Maybe both will win.
But today will be a victory for only one.
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
