Reports: Bills interested in Rex Ryan, Jim Schwartz, Josh McDaniels
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly interested in Rex Ryan, Jim Schwartz, Josh McDaniels and several other coaches as candidates for their vacant head coaching position.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Friday that Ryan has drawn interest from the Bills, in addition to interviews he has set up with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers. Tim Graham of The Buffalo Newsalso reported the Bills' interest in Ryan, but said no interviews have currently been scheduled.
The Jets fired Ryan earlier this week, along with general manager John Idzik. Ryan spent six seasons with the Jets -- his first head coaching job -- and went 46-50 with playoff appearances in his first two seasons (2009-10). New York finished 4-12 this season, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
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Ryan is expected to interview on Sunday with the 49ers, who mutually agreed to part ways with Jim Harbaugh after last weekend's season finale. San Francisco also reportedly talked with former Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan earlier this week, and has been linked to 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
The Falcons and the 49ers have also reportedly requested permission to contact Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin about their head coaching jobs.
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Schwartz spent this season as the Bills' defensive coordinator following five seasons as the Lions' head coach. Buffalo finished 9-7, its best season since 2004, but missed the playoffs for the 15th straight year. The defense finished fourth in both total defense (312.2 yards allowed per game) and scoring (18.1 points allowed per game).
ESPN's Adam Schefter added a variety of names to the list of possible candidates for the Bills on Friday afternoon, signaling out Gase, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
- Mike Fiammetta
