Rex Ryan
Rex Ryan Just one day after coming within a half of a trip to Super Bowl XLIV, the New York Jets parted ways with four assistant coaches and a consultant.

Among those let go were assistant defensive backs coach Doug Plank, assistant quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, special-teams coach Kevin O'Dea and defensive quality control coach Brian Smith. Pass-rushing consultant Chuck Smith left to become defensive line coach with the Tennessee Volunteers.

While Plank was fired, a Jets spokesman confirmed that the other three had contracts that expired and weren't renewed by the team.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan did not want to get into specifics about the coaches during his Monday afternoon new conference, but he did say that some members of the staff would
not have expired contracts renewed.

"We're going to have, unfortunately the way everything is, there's some guys on our staff that their contracts won't be extended," Ryan said. "They ran out, and some contracts will not be extended, and that's unfortunate because some guys did a great job. I'd really rather not get into the particulars of things right now."

Plank's firing came as somewhat of a surprise, but could be justified after New York's secondary was torched by Peyton Manning and the Colts receivers on Sunday.

Plank was the inspiration for the old Bears 46 defense, a scheme Buddy Ryan (Rex's father) devised in the 80's. Plank said he would love to return to Chicago.

"They have my phone number," he said. "They know where I'm at. And if they have any interest, I'd be interested."