Tag: Rob Ryan

Sean Payton could be looking to hire Rob Ryan’s brother Rex as Broncos DC

Sean Payton could be looking to hire Rob Ryan’s brother Rex as Broncos defensive coordinator. The ESPN analyst is reportedly a ‘top candidate’ in Denver:

Sean Payton must have enjoyed working with Rob Ryan so much that he’s looking to team up with Rex Ryan. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the more-illustrious Ryan is a “top candidate” for the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator opening. The better-haired Ryan worked with Payton as New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator from 2013 to 2015, and the experience didn’t exactly go swimmingly.

Rex Ryan, meanwhile, has worked as an ESPN analyst after being dismissed by the Buffalo Bills back in 2016; before that, he was known as the charismatic head coach of the New York Jets, a position he earned by thriving as a defensive coordinator. He hasn’t worked in that capacity since 2008, but the Broncos defense is rich with talent and he could enjoy rare autonomy on that side of the ball with Payton focusing his efforts on getting Denver’s offense off the ground.

What has this got to do with the Saints? Beyond the obvious Payton-and-Ryan connection, a couple of former New Orleans assistants have also been linked to the Broncos’ work-in-progress coaching staff, including former co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard. If Ryan is hired as Payton’s defensive coordinator over Richard, he may have to look for an opening as a position coach elsewhere around the league. There could be other ripple effects here if Payton and Ryan can cut a deal, so we’ll see if those developments reach New Orleans.

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Ravens ILB coach Zach Orr ‘thankful’ to rejoin team as a coach

Ravens inside linebackers coach Zach Orr is happy to reunite with the team as an NFL coach

The Baltimore Ravens are known as one of the classiest organizations in the league, which makes them a popular destination for players and coaches to want to work. Some former players have even returned to the team to fill coaching vacancies.

In February, it was announced the Ravens added former inside linebacker Zach Orr to their coaching staff as their new inside linebackers coach after the departure of Rob Ryan. Orr spent his three NFL seasons as a player with Baltimore, so he knows the organization well.

Speaking to the media, Orr was asked what his thought process was when he had the opportunity to come back to Baltimore. Orr detailed his relationship with some of the higher-ups in the organization and was thankful to come back where his career began.

“I was excited. I was hoping that – I came in for an interview – and I was hoping that I did a good job. I was able to get the job and I’m thankful for coming back. That’s part of doing a good job here previously. Building a relationship with, obviously Coach [John] Harbaugh, with [defensive coordinator] Mike [Macdonald], with [executive vice president and general manger] Eric [DeCosta], with the whole organization. So, when they called me and they were interested I was excited, pumped to come back because this is home. This is home for me, and even though I was at another place, I still paid attention closely, because I have a lot of good friends in this building. So, I was excited to come back, and I wanted to be back once they called me. So, it was a great opportunity. I’m glad it worked out.”

Orr announced his retirement from playing at the age of 24 after he was diagnosed with a congenital back/spine condition. The inside linebacker certainly made his presence known on the field when he played. Through 46 games, Orr notched163 combined tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble. and one sack.

Former Ravens ILB coach Rob Ryan lands new NFL job

Former Ravens inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan has found a new NFL job

The Baltimore Ravens have seen quite a bit of coaching turnover over the past couple of weeks. They’ve parted ways with multiple coaches and added many new ones as they’ve shaped their coaching staff in the way that they feel will best position them to develop players and win a Super Bowl.

One of the coaches that won’t be returning to the staff is now-former inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan. The veteran coach was with the Ravens for one season and worked with players such as Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison. While it was rumored that he’d follow now-Giants defensive coordinator Don Martindale to New York, Ryan has landed a job with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Could Rob Ryan, Bryan Cox join Giants’ coaching staff?

Could Rob Ryan and Bryan Cox join Don Martindale’s defensive coaching staff with the New York Giants?

The New York Giants are moving at a rapid pace now, compiling Brian Daboll’s coaching staff one piece at a time.

Under Daboll will be coordinators Mike Kafka, Don “Wink” Martindale and Thomas McGaughey. From there, the staff will spread out like a spiderweb, including several returning assistants and several new ones.

But the Giants aren’t done just yet. There are still more assistant hires to make and with Martindale now in tow, a few names may be more interesting than others. Case in point: Rob Ryan, Bryan Cox and Drew Wilkins.

Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reports that both Ryan and Cox are “expected” to join the Giants, while Wilkins is also garnering serious consideration.

Ryan, the son of Buddy Ryan and twin brother of Rex Ryan, is certainly the most interesting name of the bunch. His coaching career dates back to 1987 with his most recent role coming as inside linebackers coach of the Baltimore Ravens under the aforementioned Martindale.

Prior to his season with the Ravens, Ryan spent a year with the Washington Football Team in 2019 but has otherwise been away from the game since 2016.

In addition to Washington and Baltimore, Ryan has also spent time with the Arizona Cardinals (1994-1995), New England Patriots (2000-2003), Oakland Raiders (2004-2008), Cleveland Browns (2009-2010), Dallas Cowboys (2011-2012), New Orleans Saints (2013-2015) and Buffalo Bills (2016). In most of those roles, Ryan served as defensive coordinator.

Cox, who was a quality player before he turned to coaching, has been out of the league since 2017. He coached the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive line from 2014-2016 and spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dolphins, Browns and New York Jets prior to that.

Wilkins, meanwhile, spent the past 12 seasons with the Ravens, most recently serving as their outside linebackers coach. He was informed last week that he would not be retained in Baltimore.

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Multiple former Ravens assistant coaches could follow Don Martindale to Giants

There could be multiple former Ravens assistant coaches that could follow Giants defensive coordinator to the Big Apple

A few weeks ago, the Baltimore Ravens hired former University of Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald for the same position. The move came on the heels of Baltimore parting ways with former defensive coordinator Don Martindale in a move that surprised many.

Martindale is a very talented coach and has an incredible football mind, it wasn’t expected that he’d stay on the market long. That was indeed the case as the New York Giants hired him to be their defensive coordinator. After the news broke, it was reported that multiple former Ravens assistant coaches could follow Martindale to the Big Apple in former inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan and former outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins.

Ryan spent one year with Baltimore, working with players such as Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison to help improve their games as best as he could. Wilkins is regarded as up and coming, and spent 12 years with the Baltimore organization, including two as the outside linebackers coach. Both are considered close to Martindale, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see both follow the Ravens’ former defensive play caller to New York.

Ravens reportedly hire Zachary Orr as inside linebackers coach

The Ravens have reportedly hired Zachary Orr as their next inside linebackers coach

The Baltimore Ravens have made a big amount of coaching moves over the last few weeks. They replaced former defensive coordinator Don Martindale with Mike Macdonald, and multiple coaches from their 2021 staff won’t be returning to the staff in 2022.

One of the coaches who isn’t coming back to the team is former inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan. The experienced Ryan only spent one season in Baltimore, and it seems that the team has tabbed his replacement in former Ravens linebacker Zachary Orr, who also worked in the coaching department with the team once his playing career came to a close. The news has been reported by multiple outlets.

Orr totaled 163 total tackles in three years playing linebacker in Baltimore, including a 133 tackle campaign in 2016. However, he had to retire after that year with a congenital neck/spine condition. He then broke into the Ravens’ organization as a coach, but followed former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Joe Cullen to Jacksonville, where he spent the 2021 season

 

Ravens reportedly let go of ILB coach Rob Ryan, exploring adding Zach Orr as replacement

The Baltimore Ravens reportedly let go of inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan and are looking at Zach Orr as a potential replacement

The Baltimore Ravens have already gone through one major coaching shakeup this offseason as they parted ways with defensive coordinator Don Martindale and replaced him with former University of Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald. The hire of Macdonald was applauded by many, as it could be what the Baltimore defense needs to take their game to the next level.

On Thursday, it was reported that the Ravens were making a change at another coaching position on their defense, letting go of inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan, and Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reported that the team is exploring adding Jacksonville Jaguars coach Zach Orr to their staff as his replacement.

Orr played for three seasons in Baltimore as an inside linebacker and turned into one of the best young defenders in all of football. However, he suffered a career-ending neck/spine condition, and went into coaching with the team right after his playing days ended. He worked as a defensive analyst with the team from 2017-2020, but then was hired away by Jacksonville.

Don Martindale praises Ravens’ defensive coaches

The Baltimore Ravens lost a few coaches in the 2021 offseason. However, Don Martindale is excited about the new hires that the team made

The Baltimore Ravens went through some coaching changes during the 2021 offseason. Former defensive line coach Joe Cullen left to be the defensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars, while former linebackers coach Mike MacDonald is now the defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan.

Despite Baltimore’s losses on their defensive staff, the team added new coaches that they feel can contribute to the growth and development of their players. On a call with season ticket holders, defensive coordinator Don Martindale had high praise for multiple new coaches on the team, including linebackers coach Rob Ryan

Martindale also commented on former Ravens player and now defensive line coach and run game coordinator Anthony Weaver, who he expects to have a bright future ahead of him.

Another coach to draw praise from Martindale was outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, who will be expected to work with and develop young prospects such as Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes.

Baltimore has long been regarded as a coaching factory, so the team no stranger to losing coaches to other opportunities. However, part of what makes the Ravens such a great organization is the fact that they replace their departed coaches with great new ones. The Ravens are excited about their most recent hires, and each new member of their staff should make an immediate impact on the team and it’s players.

Looking back on 2016 Saints draft picks and grades

The 2016 Saints draft picks included instant impacts like Michael Thomas, though it took longer for Vonn Bell and Sheldon Rankins to start.

Our 2021 NFL draft countdown continues with a recap of the 2015 Saints draft class, which was the first year Jeff Ireland really got to work with his own scouting department after rebuilding the group. It was also the last year Rob Ryan worked as defensive coordinator for the Saints, though he split responsibilities with his eventual replacement Dennis Allen. After another historically-worst defensive effort, the pressure was on for Sean Payton to make big changes, but it took time for that to happen. 

Ravens fill coaching vacancies with Rob Ryan and Anthony Weaver

The Ravens have had several members of their coaching staff get hired away. They’ve hired Rob Ryan and Anthony Weaver to fill those jobs

The Baltimore Ravens have seen quite a few of their position coaches leave this offseason for greener pastures. While it’s the mark of a good franchise to have coaches get bigger opportunities elsewhere, it is something Baltimore has to account for if they want to improve. To help fill their vacancies, the Ravens turned to two familiar faces.

According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley and Dianna Russini, Baltimore has hired Rob Ryan as the inside linebackers coach and Anthony Weaver to be a run-game coordinator and defensive line coach. The pair will fill holes after linebackers coach Mike Macdonald joined Michigan’s staff as a defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Joe Cullen became the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive coordinator.

If those new names sound awfully familiar, you’d be right. Rob Ryan is the twin brother of former Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. Weaver played defensive end for Baltimore after being the Ravens’ second-round selection in the 2002 NFL draft.

Ryan has bounced around the league but has been a defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills. However, lately, Ryan has been the inside linebackers coach for the Washington Football Team in 2019. Weaver was most recently with the Houston Texans as their defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

It’s expected defensive backs coach Jesse Minter is headed to Vanderbilt to be their defensive coordinator. However, the move hasn’t been made official and the Ravens haven’t hired Minter’s replacement if he does leave.

At his end-of-season press conference, coach John Harbaugh noted that he expects offensive coordinator Greg Roman and defensive coordinator Don Martindale back for the 2021 season. Both had earned interviews for head coaching opportunities last offseason but have been conspicuously absent from the job market this offseason. While that’s helpful toward Baltimore’s coaching continuity, filling so many position coaching jobs is a tough task for any team, especially since it’s expected the offseason will once again be done virtually.

We’ll see how Weaver and Ryan perform in their duties next season. But with the Ravens’ track record, both should be expected to excel.

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