BY NICK ST. DENIS
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson remains a big fan of his head coach.
After a news conference by the Super Bowl host committee Monday, Johnson briefly spoke to reporters for the first time since Gang Green announced Ryan's mid-January contract extension.
"You can’t beat Rex,” Johnson said, via The Star-Ledger. "Rex is a great coach as I’ve said many times.
". . . He’s grown in the role, I think, immeasurably. And so we’re very confident Rex can lead this team."
Ryan was perceived to be on the hot seat late in the 2013 season, but he was able to eek out a pair of victories to cap off the tumultuous campaign and help New York to an 8-8 record, which was respectable considering many pegged the Jets to be among the NFL's very worst teams last fall.
Johnson wouldn't comment on Ryan's status before or during the season, later noting that the team was living in the now. He didn't find it appropriate to discuss those things while Ryan was trying to do his job.
But since the final tick of the Jets' season-ending victory over the Miami Dolphins, Johnson has had nothing but great things to say about Ryan, who has yet to notch a winning record since participating back-to-back AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010, his first two years at the helm.
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