The New York Jets have hired Mike Maccagnan as their new general manager, the team announced on Tuesday evening.
The Jets web site points out that Maccagnan was hired by owner Woody Johnson after a search that included the help of advisers and former NFL executives Ron Wolf and Charley Casserly. Our Jason La Canfora says that Maccagnan came into the interview process with strong support from Casserly (we'll get to why in a minute) and won over Wolf in his interview.
Here are a few things to know about Maccagnan and his hiring.
1. Maccagnan was the Director of College Scouting for the Texans
Maccagnan began his NFL executive career as a college scout for the Washington Redskins in 1994. He then served as a pro scout for Washington from 1995 through 2000, under their former general manager... Charley Casserly.
After being fired by Washington after the 1999 season, Casserley left for the new Houston Texans organization, and he brought Maccagnan to Houston with him. Maccagnan was the Coordinator of College Scouting in Houston from 2000 (he apparently worked there for two years before the Texans began playing games) until 2010, then had his title elevated to Assistant Director of College Scouting for 2010 and 2011, and finally was given the title of Director of College Scouting, which he held from 2011 until he was hired with the Jets.
2. Statements from Maccagnan, Casserly, Wolf and Woody
3. Who will be the next coach?
(Update: Jason La Canfora reports the Jets have hired Todd Bowles).
Maccagnan's first order of business will presumably be hiring a new head coach. The Jets have been connected to nearly every coaching candidate on the market in one way or another, from Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to former Bills head coach Doug Marrone, and Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
It would make sense that Maccagnan would be involved in the remainder of that process. Bowles, according to La Canfora, will be in New York Tuesday night to meet with the Jets before flying to Atlanta to meet with the Falcons.
4. Lots of work to do
The Jets have a deeper and more talented roster now than they did when former general manager John Idzik did when he took over two years ago, but there is still a lot of work to do to turn them into a playoff team.
First things first, Maccagnan and his coach must decide if Geno Smith is their quarterback or if they want to move on. Smith has not shown much ability in his two years with the Jets, and they do have the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft. Whoever winds up as New York's quarterback of the future has a pretty decent stable of weapons to work with in Percy Harvin (if they decide to keep him), Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley, Jace Amaro and Chris Ivory.
Beyond that, though, there are lots of holes to plug. The offensive line did not have a great season, while the defense has been slipping for years. Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison and Sheldon Richardson form the start of a terrific front seven, but the back half of the defense has fallen apart as one player after another has moved on and/or become ineffective. Maccagnan will have his work cut out for him rebuilding the team moving foeard.