NY Jets News: Top Coaching Candidates Include 3 Former Head Coaches And Jets Assistant

The New York Jets are looking for both a new head coach and a new general manager, following a disappointing 2014 season. The team went 4-12, failing to make the playoffs for a fourth straight season.

After New York lost eight of their first nine games, it became evident that Rex Ryan would not return to the team in 2015. Jets management has had a few weeks to consider potential candidates, and even though they might want to hire a GM first, the team could sign a head coach before finding John Idzik’s replacement.

A few assistant head coaches are being considered for just about every NFL head coaching vacancy, and the Jets are no exception. They’ve interviewed Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and are scheduled to speak with Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. Neither coach has been anything more than an assistant in the NFL, but due to heavy interest from a number of teams, both are expected to be offered a head coaching job in 2015.

The Jets appear to be interested in a broad group of candidates. Here is a look at some of the potential coaches the Jets have on their radar.

Gary Kubiak

The Jets have shown interest in Kubiak, who’s spent one year as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator after being the head coach of the Houston Texans for eight seasons. His first five years with Houston didn’t result in any playoff appearances, but he followed that with two straight AFC South titles. The Texans won just two games in his final season, and he’s currently in the playoffs with Baltimore.

Kubiak is considered a quarterback guru, and the Jets' passing game has struggled for several years.

Frank Reich

Reich helped engineer arguably the greatest comeback in NFL history, when the former quarterback led the Bills past the Houston Oilers, 41-38, in a 1993 wild card playoff game. The 53-year-old has no head coaching experience, but is currently the offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers after serving as the team's quarterbacks coach. He reportedly met with the Bills on Sunday, and will interview with the Jets on Wednesday.

Reich was born in Long Island, but attended high school in Pennsylvania.

Doug Marrone

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Marrone is the favorite to get the job. Before abruptly leaving the Buffalo Bills after two seasons, the 50-year-old led the team to their best record (9-7) since 2004. Marrone is from the Bronx, and has ties to Mike Maccagnan, who’s a candidate to be the team’s next GM.

Marrone’s personality could potentially hold him back from getting a head coaching job, as he didn’t appear to have a good relationship with the Bills' brass. Marrone also had his share of troubles with the local media.

Tom Cable

The current Seattle Seahawks offensive line coached interviewed with the Jets for their head coaching vacancy. Cable took over for Lane Kiffin as the Oakland Raiders interim head coach in 2008, and was given the full-time job that offseason. After going 5-11 and 8-8 in two seasons, Cable was not brought back by the organization. Even though he didn’t reach the postseason, Cable led the Raiders to their best record since 2002.

His time with Oakland wasn’t without controversy, as he reportedly broke his assistant coach’s jaw and was fined $120,000. There were also reports of Cable having a history of violent behavior toward women.

Anthony Lynn

There’s a chance the Jets will find Ryan’s replacement within the organization and promote their running backs coach. Lynn joined the team with Ryan in 2009, and has been an NFL assistant since joined the Denver Broncos’ staff in 2000.

The 46-year-old might be the biggest longshot of any candidate given his lack of experience.