Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan The New York Jets officially named Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan to be their new head coach. Ryan spent ten seasons in Baltimore being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2005. He replaces fired coach Eric Mangini and takes over a team that started last season 8-3, but struggled down the stretch and failed to make the playoffs.

According to league sources, the Jets made an offer about an hour after the Ravens 23-14 loss to Pittsburgh in the Conference Championship game on Sunday, but the deal became official on Monday after the details were finalized when Jets owner Woody Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum flew down to Baltimore to meet with Ryan.

"We got the right man for the job," Johnson said.

Ryan's four-year contract is almost identical to the $11.5 million deal
that the Rams gave New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, a Jets source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen it was on Saturday.

"It's been a dream of mine to become a head coach in the NFL," Ryan said in a statement. "Coming here to the New York Jets, where my father once coached and was part of the Super Bowl III staff, is fantastic. I look around at the facilities and the people they have in place and see a first-class organization. I'm just proud to be part of it."

Ryan's Baltimore defense has been ranked in the top six in total yards allowed the past four seasons, including second overall this season while leading the NFL with 34 takeaways.

"I think it's a gain for them and a loss for us, but it's well-deserved," said Ravens linebacker Bart Scott. "It was a long time coming."

A news conference introducing Ryan is scheduled for Wednesday.