Many coaches, staff members, and players are new to Raider Nation. However, this face brings nostalgia to many. Rob Ryan will be going through his 2nd-Year as the Las Vegas Raiders Senior Defensive Assistant, a respectable role that many achieve when seen as a “voice of reason” or a humble “wiseman” after years of experience of structuring and play-calling defenses. You could say they are the Defensive Coaches respectable advisors. What some perhaps do not know about Rob Ryan, is not only has he been a former Raiders Play-Caller, but he also has experience working with notable staff members that are currently with the Silver and Black. Before we dive into the connections Ryan has with others, let’s jump into the history behind Rob Ryan, study how his longevity and experience can impact the Defensive Roster. This will include schematics, statistics, and connections (if any is available for certain areas).
1987-94: The College Assistant/Coach
1987-88: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
After graduating at Southwestern Oklahoma State, Rob Ryan was hired as a Graduate Assistant by Dave Roberts, Head Coach of the Western Kentucky’s Football Team. Ryan spent only one football season with the Hilltoppers. Resulting in a 7-4 Season Record, the Hilltoppers earned their first ever Postseason appearance within the NCAA Division I-AA (Independent Conference). Sadly, the Hilltoppers were immediately booted out of the Playoffs, losing 47-10 against their rival school: The Eastern Kentucky Colonels.
1988-89: Ohio State Buckeyes
After finishing up any other business affairs with the Hilltoppers, Rob Ryan transferred to Ohio State to finish up his last year to earn his Masters Degree in Sports Management. Hired by Defensive Coordinator Bill Young, Rob Ryan was assigned to be the new Assistant Linebackers Coach, assisting Inside+Outside LB Coaches: Gary Blackmery and Fred Pagac. This season would not be anything special sadly. The Buckeyes end their season with a 4-6-1 Record (2-5-1 vs Conference), this would be the School’s first time in over 22 Years experiencing a losing season. On a positive note the School was going through its first year after a new Regime took over, having John Cooper take the helm as the Head Coach (became a successful Head Coach with Ohio State ; 12 Consecutive Winning-Seasons, 10 Consecutive Bowl Appearances (winning only 3), and 12 Consecutive Top 25th Ranked in the NCAA).
1989-94: Tennessee State Tigers
Rob Ryan joined the Tennessee State Tigers and stayed for several seasons. Ryan would be assigned to Coach both sides of the Ball. From 1989-92, Ryan coached the Running-Back position, the only time he ever coached any Offensive position as a Football Coach. From 1992-94, Ryan went back to the Defensive Side of the Ball. Coaching the Linebackers for the 1992-93 Season and finally the Defensive Line during the 1993-94 Season.
(Disclaimer: There is sadly no records or any reliable reports on what happened while Rob Ryan was a Coach for Tennessee State)
1994-96: The Arizona Cardinals DB Coach
In 1994, 2x Super-Bowl Champion (and one of the most-beloved Defensive-Minds in Football): Buddy Ryan, hired his twin sons (Rob and Rex) as new members of the Arizona Cardinals Coaching Staff. Rex would be assigned to Coach both the Defensive-Line and Linebackers, while Rob Coaches the entire Defensive-Secondary. The 1994 NFL Season would be the Cardinals franchise first Stint as the “Arizona” Cardinals, becoming the second-ever NFL team to represent a whole State/Region. The families first-run together Coaching an NFL team was seen as successful for many. Resulting with an 8-8 Record for the Regular-Season.
The reasoning for why many saw it as successful was due to the Ryan’s reviving and producing a dominating Defense. Being ranked 4th in least-points allowed and 3rd in least-yardage allowed. However, the Offense would rank 4th in least-points scored and 6th in least-yardage gained. In Rob Ryan’s case, his season was most definitely successful for what he was given at his disposal to Coach and produce.
1994-95 Arizona Cardinals’ Defensive Passing-Game Rankings:
- Least Passing-Yards Allowed: 4th ; 189.9 Per-Game
- Least Passing-Touchdowns Allowed: 8th ; 28 Total
- Most Interceptions Produced: 1st ; 23 Total
When it comes to specific players, Rob Ryan helped Aeneas Williams (Hall of Fame Cornerback), experience his first successful and dominating season (individually). Williams led the league in Interceptions (9 Interceptions ; the 10th out of 11 Players in Cardinals franchise history to produce at least that many, the 2nd out of 3 to produce at least that many since the NFL-AFL Merger), earning a spot as an All-Pro Corner for the 1995 Pro-Bowl. The following year, Williams would lead the league in Converted-Touchdowns by Interceptions, earning another All-Pro spot. These two seasons would be the start of Williams’ Hall of Fame campaign, earning 6 more Pro-Bowl spots (3 of them being All-Pro) for the next 9 Seasons.
The following season did not favor the Cardinals sadly. The Team resulted with a 4-12 season, leading to the firing of Buddy Ryan and the entire Ryan Regime. The defense overall was ranked 30th in Least-Points allowed and 26th in Least-Yardage Allowed. In Rob Ryan’s case, it wasn’t enough to keep him around (even if he wanted to stay).
1995-96 Arizona Cardinals’ Defensive Passing-Game Rankings:
- Least Passing-Yards Allowed: 15th ; 215.9 Per-Game
- Least Passing-Touchdowns Allowed: 30th ; 33 Total
- Most Interceptions Produced: 8th ; 19 Total
Rob Ryan would go back to the College-Ranks for the next several years.
1996-2000: The College Play-Caller
1996-97: Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons
Rob Ryan decided to join the Blue Dragons as their new Defensive Coordinator. Despite being a Community College, Hutchinson had a solid reputation in the football realm, even within the present-day.
Notable NFL Players Who Played For The Hutchinson Blue Dragons:
- De’Vondre Campbell
- Atlanta Falcons ; Arizona Cardinals ; Green Bay Packers (Current Team)
- All-Pro Linebacker
- Gerald Everett
- Los Angeles Rams + Chargers (Current Team) ; Seattle Seahawks
- Professional Tight-End
- Alvin Kamara
- New Orleans Saints Current Half-Back
- 5x Pro-Bowler ; 2x All-Pro (2nd-Team)
- 2017-18 Offensive Rookie of the Year
- 2020-21 Non-QB Touchdown Leader (21 Total)
- Cordarrelle Patterson
- Minnesota Vikings ; Oakland Raiders ; New England Patriots ; Chicago Bears ; Atlanta Falcons (Current Team)
- 6x Pro-Bowler ; 6x All-Pro (4x 1st-Team) HB/WR/KR
- 2018-19 Super-Bowl Champion (New England Patriots)
- All-2010s Hall of Fame Team
- Longest Kick-Return in NFL History (109 Return-Yards)
- 10th Most Kick-Return-Yardage in NFL History
- Most Kick-Return-Touchdowns in NFL History (9 Touchdowns)
During Ryan’s time with the Blue Dragons, the team was being led by Head Coach, Martin Herrell. Herrell only served 2 years in his tenure, resulting with a 13-7 Record. For the 1996-97 Football Season, the Blue Dragons finished with a 7-3 Record against the NJCAA Division I, while being 5-2 against the Kansas Jayhawk Conference. Despite placing 3rd in the Conference, the season was extremely successful in Ryan’s defensive perspective. Ryan constructed the #1 defense in the nation. In a Single-Season, Ryan’s defense produced the least total-yardage allowed (228 per-game), the most sacks (56), and setting the national record of 49 turnovers.
This level of performance earned attention from the upper-ranks of the college football realm. Ryan would leave the Blue Dragons after the end of the 1996-97 season.
1997-2000: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Rob Ryan was hired by Head Coach, Bob Simmons, as the new Defensive Coordinator for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Ryan would design and call defensive plays for the Cowboys for 3 years before departing and climbing back into the NFL-Ranks. Ryan’s first year with Oklahoma State was outstanding at almost every level, being named Coordinator of the Year after upgrading the Cowboys defenses from the 80th ranked to the Top 25 in Points-Allowed (Went from 29.7 per-game to 19.4 per-game). The Cowboys were ranked as the 24th best team in the NCAA, resulting with a 8-4 Record and earning an appearance at the Alamo Bowl (sadly lost 33-20 against Purdue).
The later seasons would not overall be successful for the Cowboys, resulting with a back-to-back record of 5-6. Luckily, in Ryan’s case, the defense was still playing at a high caliber. For the 1998-99 season, the defense ranked 2nd out of the entire NCAA in total sacks produced (41). For the 1999-00 season, the defense ranked 10th in least total-yardage allowed. Despite the success on defense, the offense would be the downfall of the team. Going from the 35th Top-Ranked Offense to the 72nd Ranked, gradually worsening each season.
Ryan was also able to produce 4 NFL-Caliber Players to be drafted. Each of these players were drafted no later than the 3rd-Round. Even though they aren’t as successful as many would hope their pupils to be, it is still an accomplishment to be proud of.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Who Were Drafted Into The NFL:
- 1998 NFL Draft
- R.W. McQuarters ; 1st Round – 28th Overall Pick ; Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers
- Defensive Back + Punt/Kick Returner ; 156 Games Played ; 81 Started
- Played for: San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants
- Regular-Season Stats:
- 14 Interceptions + 60 Pass-Breakups
- 9/15 Forced Fumbles Recovered + 72 Return-Yards + 1 Return-Touchdown
- 3 Sacks
- 2020 Punt-Return-Yards (8.9 per-return) + 3 Touchdowns
- 1369 Kick-Return-Yards (21.7 per-return)
- 2007-08 Super-Bowl Champion
- 1999 NFL Draft
- Kevin Williams ; 3rd Round – 87th Overall Pick ; Drafted by the New York Jets
- Defensive Back + Kick Returner ; 43 Games Played ; 13 Started
- Played for: New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans
- Regular-Season Stats:
- 1 Interception
- 1 Forced Fumble
- 1011 Kick-Return-Yards (24.7 per-return) + 1 Touchdown
- 2000 NFL Draft
- Jacoby Shepard ; 2nd Round – 62nd Overall Pick ; Drafted by the St. Louis Rams
- Defensive Back ; 30 Games Played ; 1 Started
- Played For: St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, New York Jets
- Regular-Season Stats:
- 1 Interception
- 3 Pass-Breakups
The production Rob Ryan brought to the table for Oklahoma State was able to bring attention to a familiar face that many in Raider Nation despite to the very core. This individual would hire Ryan as an NFL positional coach.
2000-04: The New England Patriots LB Coach
Rob Ryan was hired by Head Coach, Bill Belicheck, to take action as the new Linebackers Coach for the New England Patriots. Everyone with any knowledge in football should know the story of what happens during the early 2000s. The beginning chapters of the Patriots 2-Decades long Dynasty. The Infamous Tuck-Rule against the Oakland Raiders, who were led by Head Coach Jon Gruden. We all know how the Defensive-Genius, Bill Belicheck, never ranks below the average. So we will examine Ryan’s Linebackers specifically.
During Ryan’s time with the Patriots, Ryan was able to work with Brian Daboll (Current Head Coach of the New York Giants) and Josh McDaniels (Current Head Coach of the Las Vegas Raiders) who started their first several seasons in the NFL as Defensive Assistants. Both learned under many coaches on the defensive side of the ball, including Rob Ryan. For Ryan’s part, many would say it was successful with the Patriots.
New England Patriots Linebackers 2000-04 Regular-Season Per-Game Statistics:
- Total Games from 2000-04: 64
- Total Tackles Per-Game:
- Solo Tackles Per-Game:
- Tackles For Loss Per-Game:
- Sacks Per-Game
- Recovered/Forced Fumbles Per-Game:
- Interceptions Per-Game:
- Pass-Breakups Per-Game:
2004-16: The NFL Defensive Play-Caller
2004-09: Oakland Raiders
Rob Ryan joined the Oakland Raiders during the beginning stages of what is known as “The Dark Ages” (what we are currently in right now). In his first season, the Raiders defense ranked 31st in the league, averaging 27.6 points allowed per game. The defense improved in his second season, averaging 23.9 points a game, and moving to 25th in the league. In 2006, the Raiders ranked third in yards-per-game but 18th in points-per-game. In 2007, the Raiders defense ranked 22nd in yards- and 26th in points-per game. In 2008, Ryan’s defense ranked 24th with 388 points allowed.
Ryan helped coach and play-call for notable defensive players such as DL Tommy Kelly, DB Charles Woodson, DL Derrick Burgess, DE Warren Sapp, DB Nnamdi Asomugha, DB Stuart Schweigert, CB DeAngelo Hall, and CB Chris Johnson. After spending several years with the “Silver & Black” Franchise, Ryan was relieved of his Defensive Duties, having to leave Raider Nation for some time.
2009-11: Cleveland Browns
Head Coach Eric Mangini named Ryan as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns on January 14, 2009. In his first season in Cleveland, Ryan’s defense ranked 21st in the league, with 375 points against, as teams averaged 23.4 points per game against them. In 2010, the Browns were 13th in the league with 332 points allowed. Ryan was fired by Pat Shurmur once his regime took over the Cleveland franchise.
2011-13: Dallas Cowboys
Ryan was officially named the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator on January 19, 2011. In his first season, the Cowboys were ranked 14th in yards-per-game and 16th in points-per-game. In 2012 Dallas was ranked 19th in yards-per-game and 24th in points-per-game while only ranking 16th in sacks. On January 8, 2013, the Cowboys ended Ryan’s employment with the franchise.
2013-16: New Orleans Saints
In January 2013, Ryan agreed to become the defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, but resigned less than five days later. In February 2013, Ryan was hired as the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, implementing a 3–4 defense to the team and scrapping their previous 4–3 defense. Ryan’s defense finished well statistically in 2013, including fourth in fewest points-per-game and second for fewest passing yards allowed. The following year, 2014, New Orleans was near the bottom of the league in most defensive categories.
On November 16, 2015, the day after a 47–14 loss to the Washington Redskins, and with New Orleans’ defense ranked last in the NFL, Ryan was fired. New Orleans defensive assistant coach Dennis Allen was appointed defensive coordinator following Ryan’s dismissal.
2016-22: The Demoted Defensive Coach
2016-17: Buffalo Bills
Rob would be hired by his twin brother, Rex, as just simply an assistant head coach. Not a specific coach, mostly a mascot or an advisor to Rex and the other coaches. This would be the spark of Rob’s career as an advisor for coaching staffs. Sadly, for the Ryan twins, they were both fired by Week 16 of the 2016-17 NFL Season. The firing was reasonable by a fair share in the football realm. Bills started out strong for the first-two-thirds of the season, going 6-5 by Week 12 after winning 3 consecutive games, one of them being the first ever shutout against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium (Patriots Home Stadium ; the game ended 16-0 with the Bills winning). After starting strong, the Bills went 1-4 for the next 5 games.
The Season was dumbfounded by everyone. The Bills produced the 10th Best Offense and 16th Best Defense in the NFL. The regime would be replaced by the Carolina Panthers former Defensive-Coordinator: Sean McDermott, who is still the Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills, having Franchise-QB Josh Allen lead the Offense. Ryan would then join Fox Sports as an NFL analyst for the United Kingdom and Ireland.
2019-20: Washington Redskins
For nearly 2 whole years, Rob Ryan wasn’t hired by anyone for a coaching opportunity. It wasn’t until the 2019 NFL Off-Season when Ryan was hired by Jay Gruden (younger brother Jon Gruden) to be the next Inside Linebackers Coach. This gig horrifically didn’t go well for the Redskins, ending the 2019-20 Season with a 3-13 Record. Jay Gruden was already fired after starting the season with a 0-5 Record. Interim Head Coach, Bill Callahan, was also fired after finishing the season with only 3 wins. The Offense was ranked as the #1 worst in the league, scoring (by average) 16.6 points per-game. The Defense didn’t show that much promise either, ranking as the 6th worst in the league, allowing (by average) 27.2 points per-game.
For Rob Ryan’s case, it wasn’t too bad when looking at the Linebacker Room who plays the middle sections of the field.
2019-20 Inside Linebacker Room Season Statistics:
Unfortunately, Ryan was fired during the 2020 NFL Off-Season by the new Head Coach, Ron Rivera. (This was also the same year that the Washington Redskins were newly named the Washington Football Team.) With some luck still on Ryan’s side, a more successful Defensive-Mind would hire Ryan to help out the young Linebacker Room.
2021-22: Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens Head Coach, John Harbaugh, hired Rob Ryan to be the next Linebackers Coach for the year. Ryan was able to place himself in a top-tier situation for any position coach. Ryan coached a Linebacker Room that resulted with solid-producing numbers for the 2021-22 Season when it came to pass-rushing and run-stopping.
Baltimore Ravens 2020-21 vs 2021-22 Linebacker Room’s Season-Statistics:
Despite another good year for Rob Ryan, the Baltimore Ravens were experiencing a bad rollercoaster that has now been riding itself out to the Present-Day. Injuries, inconsistencies on Offense, and questionable QB-Drama has been Baltimore’s nightmare. The Ravens would go from being the #1 team in the AFC Conference, having an 8-3 Record by Week 12… to losing every remaining game of the year… finishing the Regular-Season 8-9 and at the bottom of the AFC North Division. This catastrophe was reaching levels of unfamiliarity being brought to the organization, so Ryan left, headed to a familiar franchise being led by familiar faces.
2022-Present-Day: The Las Vegas Raiders “Wiseman”
Ryan rejoined the “Silver & Black” Franchise as the new Senior Defensive Assistant under Defensive Coordinator, Patrick Graham, and Head Coach Josh McDaniels. Ryan is now tasked with helping the Defensive Coaches and players understand defensive schemes, playcalls, learning processes, teaching experiences, coaching aspects, player aspects, the whole “how to be a better footballer” guide-book. Basically playing the role as everyone’s helpful Grandpa. Now, everyone has common knowledge that the defense did not live up to many fans’ expectations, gradually losing itself every game due to injuries and possibly tank-like playcalling.
However, for the upcoming season, it appears that the defense is being carefully looked at and critiqued by fans, staff members, coaches, and media within Raider Nation. Many standouts have been gaining Pre-Season momentum: UDFAs such as CB Sam Webb, DE Adam Plant Jr, LB Luke Masterson, and S Isaiah Pola-Mao. Rookies who have also been gaining interest and optimism have been 4th Round CB Jakorian Bennett and 5th Round S Christopher Smith II. 7th Overall Pick, DE Tyree Wilson, has been on both sides of love and doubts by Raider Nation. Meanwhile Star-DE, “Mad” Maxx Crosby, is believed to possibly have the highest production Raider Nation could possibly see in a Single-Season during the Condor’s career. Former Ravens OLB Coach is now the DL Coach (Rob Leonard). Marcus Peters is a Raider… etc. etc. etc.
Many other news has been either rumored, official, or on the deciding factor by everyone. The general belief from the Organization is that the defense is looking to be heading towards the right direction for the upcoming season. Sadly, many have heard this saying too many times to count. Hopefully this is something that becomes reality, rather than a dream hoping to come true one day.
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