| Jets coach Rex Ryan denied a newspaper story about his seeking more power or he should be fired. (US Presswire) |
A restrained, but clearly angry New York Jets coach Rex Ryan took to the podium for his Friday press conference. Ryan addressed a report in the New York Daily News that he wanted to be fired if he didn't get his way on certain issues, mostly having to do with changes to the offense.
Ryan categorically denied there being any truth to the story.
"I was disappointed and quite honestly mad as a hornet," Ryan said upon reading the story. "[The article] talked about if things weren’t a certain way that I would not want to be the head coach of the New York Jets and that is totally untrue.
"This is the only team that I want to coach. Period. I think that anybody that knows me knows that I’m telling the truth."
Ryan said he called Jets owner Woody Johnson immediately to convey to him that the story lacked merit.
Ryan said he then addressed the article with the team to make sure players knew it was a false report and that if he had any say in the matter, he wasn't going anywhere. He said he was probably more passionate and emotional than they've seen him because he took the article as a personal attack by someone with an agenda.
"I want to be the Jets head coach for the next 15 years," Ryan said. "Now there’s probably a lot of fans out there that hope that’s not the case. (But) this is the job I’ve always wanted and that’s it."
Ryan said that he was asked for and gave a response to the story to the reporter.
"For whatever reason, he elected not to put my response in," Ryan said.
Ryan talked about how his father, Buddy Ryan, was the defensive line coach for the Jets from 1968-1975. It was his father's first coaching job and the first team Ryan ever rooted for.
"I always wanted to be a head coach, but to be the New York Jets head coach, it's unbelievable."
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