Rumors have simmered all weekend that former New Orleans Saints defensive co-ordinator Rob Ryan was set to join his twin brother Rex Ryan’s coaching staff with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills confirmed that speculation late on Sunday Night, announcing through the club’s twitter account that Rob Ryan was officially hired as assistant head coach/defense for the team.
IT’S OFFICIAL: Rob Ryan has been hired as Bills assistant head coach/defense. Details: https://t.co/tdxA3387Wo pic.twitter.com/HNwkImRvHk
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) January 11, 2016
“I’m excited to have Rob join our staff and I think he will be a great asset for our defense. He has a tremendous working knowledge of our schemes and I look forward to his input,” said Head Coach Rex Ryan. “On a personal note, it’s been a number of years since we have worked together and so we are both really looking forward to this opportunity.”
The two Ryans have not worked officially worked together since the 1995 season when both were part of their father, Buddy Ryan’s staff when he was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Rob Ryan did join the Bills to help with the defense during the week leading up to the Philadelphia Eagles game in December.
“He was around for several days and he really, really liked the players that we have, and you know and sees what we are building,” said Rex Ryan. “And he has been around a lot of teams. So I think he was impressed with this organization.”
Among Rob Ryan’s more notable accomplishments was winning a pair of Super Bowl rings under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots as linebackers coach from 2000-2003. He would also serve as defensive co-ordinator for the Oakland Raiders (2004-2008), Cleveland Browns (2009-2010), Dallas Cowboys (2011-2012) and most recently the New Orleans Saints (2013-2015).
