In the weeks following the conclusion of the 2025 season, the Jets announced that numerous assistant coaches would not be returning to the team. With both coordinators hired, the team has begun to fill other vacant positions on Aaron Glenn’s coaching staff.
Seth Ryan will be the team’s passing game coordinator.
As this report indicates, the Ryan name should be familiar to Jets fans. Rex Ryan, Seth’s father, was famously the Jets head coach from 2009 through 2014. His grandfather, Buddy, ran the Super Bowl III winning defense as an assitant coach under Weeb Ewbank.
Ryan’s resume is pretty light to take on the passing game coordinator job. He has never worked at a job higher than assistant position coach in the NFL. His predecessor, Scott Turner, had NFL offensive coordinator experience.
With an extremely experienced play caller in Frank Reich, we can presume the Jets felt comfortable bringing in a passing game coordinator with a light resume. Reich will be a mentor to Ryan. Aaron Glenn might even be thinking ahead a bit. With Reich near retirement age, the Jets are likely looking for the new offensive coordinator to train his replacement. That very well could be the plan with Ryan. Of course, going down that path requires this coaching staff to have staying power.
The Jets have also added position coaches. Karl Dunbar will serve as the defensive line coach.
Dunbar is also a familiar name to Jets fans. He worked as the defensive line coach on Rex Ryan’s staff from 2012 to 2014.
It’s very rare these days the Jets give us a chance to say, “That’s a great move.” Far more frequently we have to talk ourselves into something possibly working out.
I can say bringing back Dunbar is a great move. He was one of the best coaches the Jets have ever had. Dunbar helped develop Damon Harrison from an undrafted rookie into a top notch nose tackle. Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, and Mike Devito played their best football under him. He’s just a great teacher.
The Jets also have hired former Steelers tight end coach Alfredo Roberts for the same role.
Roberts has around two decades of experience coaching tight ends in the NFL.
What are your thoughts on the hires?
