A week after giving general manager Mike Tannenbaum the axe, the Jets fired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and won't bring back quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh or defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, as announced by owner Woody Johnson and coach Rex Ryan Tuesday. (photo: slgckg, Flickr)
While an offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach search has been added to the general manager chase, the Jets will reportedly promote defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman to defensive coordinator.
It's been an ugly offseason after an even uglier regular season, but so far, the Jets have made the necessary moves.
Tannenbaum had to go, and his replacement looks to be between David Caldwell, the Atlanta Falcons' director of player personnel, and Tom Gamble, the San Francisco 49ers' director of player personnel. Either would be a good hiring.
Dennis Thurman is extremely well-versed in Ryan's defense, and he's certainly earned the opportunity to coach it, as he was already a big presence among the group to begin with. Like Pettine's first season as defensive coordinator, Thurman will get some help from Ryan in terms of play-calling.
Ryan also hinted that he might finally want to break away from the old school, ground-and-pound mentality on offense. "As hard as we are to attack defensively, I want to be offensively," he said, via the Associated Press.
Former San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner is still out there as an offensive coordinator candidate, as is recently-fired Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, among others.
As for the quarterback coach, this should've happened at least two years ago. Most candidates would be upgrades.
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