Rex Ryan Knows He's A Great Coach

You have to love Rex Ryan, there is something about Rex that just screams New York. He may not have been to the post-season for three years, but that doesn't mean he lacks any confidence or self-belief.

Speaking to the Daily News, Rex commented:

"Do I think that I'm a great coach? I absolutely know I'm a great coach.

But it's not just about me. What makes a great coach is the people that surround you, the people that are with you every day. There's guys that help me be a great coach. My players help me be a great coach."

I think it's hard to disagree with that statement, but is he a great head coach? or just a great coach? Nobody will dispute the fact that Rex is a superb defensive football coach. Some of the looks we give as a defensive unit are unique and imaginative. We've been at the top close to the top and better than average on the defensive side of the football ever since he got here. Rex holds a career record of 46-40-0, so despite the three years without a play-off spot, he still has a winning record, that's a positive right there.

However this isn't arrogance, Rex is still a very self aware man:

"I'm not saying that I'm the best or whatever . . . or the best of all time," Ryan said. "I just know that I'm the best that I can be. I know that I'm willing to do the work. I may have limitations. I get that. But nobody's going to convince me that they're more passionate about their job than I am . . . and that they're more passionate about their organization than me."

Nobody will doubt his passion, I've heard rumours about the hours he puts in at the office, and his passion for the organization is clear to see, after all it was the Jets who gave him his first break in the head coaching business, after he was turned down by other organizations. It's hard to not feel that passion and loyalty towards the people who gave you your break. Nobody wants to win more than Rex, that seems self evident as well.

However I'm not sure he is 'the best he can be' as a head coach yet. As a defensive coach he may well be at his maximum potential, which is absolutely fine because he is one of the best defensive coaches in the league. However he may be working at full capacity but as a head coach, I don't think it's possible to be the best that you can be after just just 6 seasons. He still needs to work on his game management and clock awareness and he still needs to find the right balance between being a head coach and taking an active role on the defensive side of the football.

Saying all that, it's great to have confidence running through the organization from top to bottom and like most players in this league, Rex will continue to improve with experience, or at least I hope so.