Even Rich Kotite's New York Jets couldn't do it.
New York enters Sunday's bout with the Pittsburgh Steelers on an eight-game losing streak, tied for the longest in the team's history. That means a loss would give the Jets nine in a row--a would-be standalone record for the oft-troubled franchise.
“I definitely don’t want to have that record,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said, via the New York Post. “There’s plenty of records I’d like to have and that’s certainly not one of them. Does it add any more pressure? Not really. We just want to win.”
Kotite helped the Jets to 12 straight losses, though it happened in a continuation from 1995 to 1996. He just ran out of time to lose. If only Ryan could be so lucky.
Rex is one of the most beloved coaches of all time among Jets fans, so it would only be fitting that he held the record. Hopefully, for their sake and his, the team somehow catches fire at home in a stadium sure to be filled with terrible towels.
Ryan's future is uncertain, even though his demise was laid out by general manager John Idzik's well-documented shortcomings in fielding a professional team. Regardless, the sixth-year head coach is living in the week.
“At 1-8, we all get it,” Ryan said of his fate. “I understand it, but the season’s not over. You’re judged by when the season’s over and you can make up your own mind."
The Jets haven't recorded a winning record since 2010, the year Ryan led New York to its second straight AFC Championship appearance.
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