View source for Rob Ryan

{{Short description|American football coach (born 1962)}}
{{Other people|Rob Ryan|Robert Ryan (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name                = Rob Ryan
| image               = Rob Ryan Jan 2019 (cropped).jpg
| image_size          =
| alt                 = 
| caption             = Ryan in 2019
| current_team        = USC Trojans
| position            = Assistant head coach for defense/linebackers 
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1962|12|13|mf=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Ardmore, Oklahoma]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| high_school         = [[Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire, Illinois)|Stevenson]]<br />([[Lincolnshire, Illinois]])
| college             = [[Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs football|Southwestern Oklahoma State]]
| pastcoaching        = 
* [[Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football|Western Kentucky]] (1987)<br />Graduate assistant
* [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]] (1988)<br />Graduate assistant
* [[Tennessee State Tigers football|Tennessee State]] (1989–1991)<br />Running backs coach
* Tennessee State (1992)<br /> Linebackers coach
* Tennessee State (1993)<br /> Defensive line coach
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{nfly|1994}}–{{Nfly|1995}})<br />Defensive backs coach
* [[Hutchinson Blue Dragons football|Hutchinson]] (1996)<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Oklahoma State]] (1997–1999)<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[New England Patriots]] ({{nfly|2000}}–{{nfly|2003}})<br />Linebackers coach
* [[Oakland Raiders]] ({{nfly|2004}}–{{nfly|2008}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Cleveland Browns]] ({{nfly|2009}}–{{nfly|2010}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{nfly|2011}}–{{nfly|2012}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[New Orleans Saints]] ({{nfly|2013}}–{{nfly|2015}})<br />Defensive coordinator
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ({{nfly|2016}})<br />Assistant head coach for defense
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{nfly|2019}})<br />Inside linebackers coach
* [[Baltimore Ravens]] ({{nfly|2021}})<br />Inside linebackers coach
* [[Las Vegas Raiders]] ({{nfly|2022}}–{{nfly|2024}})<br/>Senior defensive assistant
* [[USC Trojans football|USC]] (2025–present)<br />Assistant head coach for defense/linebackers
| highlights          = 
* 2× [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXVI|XXXVI]], [[Super Bowl XXXVIII|XXXVIII]])
| regular_record      = <!-- {{Winning percentage|ww|ll|record=y}} -->
| playoff_record      = <!-- {{Winning percentage|ww|ll|record=y}} -->
| overall_record      = <!-- {{Winning percentage|ww|ll|record=y}} -->
| pfrcoach            = RyanRo0
}}

'''Robert Allen Ryan'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Riley-Ryan|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1696&dat=19890702&id=Vg0dAAAAIBAJ&pg=5650,116058|website=Bowling Green (KY) Daily News|access-date=October 12, 2014|pages=7B|date=July 2, 1989}}</ref> (born December 13, 1962) is an [[American football]] coach who is currently an assistant head coach for the [[USC Trojans]]. Ryan has served as a [[defensive coordinator]] or assistant coach for nine different NFL teams.  He was the linebackers coach for the [[New England Patriots]] when they won both [[Super Bowl XXXVI]] and [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]]. Ryan is the son of [[Buddy Ryan]] and the twin brother of [[Rex Ryan]].

==Early life and playing career==
When his parents, Doris and Buddy Ryan, divorced in 1966, Rob and his [[fraternal twin]], [[Rex Ryan|Rex]],<ref name=OhBrotherWhatAStart>{{cite web|first=Lee|last=Jenkins|title=Oh, Brother, What A Start: They're big, they're brash, and they live for the game. The Ryan twins—Rex of the Jets and Rob of the Cowboys—set the tone for the NFL season with a wild opening-week showdown|date=September 19, 2011|publisher=Sports Illustrated|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1190449/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203090410/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1190449/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2011|quote=Rex was born five minutes ahead of Rob ....  The Ryans are fraternal twins, but everyone figured they were identical.}}</ref> moved with Doris to Toronto.<ref name=espn012110>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/2009/columns/story?page=hotread19/rexryan|title=Rex Ryan's swagger leads Jets|first=Elizabeth|last=Merrill|work=ESPN.com|date=January 21, 2009|access-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref> In 1974, they moved back to the United States to live with their father.<ref name=espn012110/> He attended [[Stevenson High School (Lincolnshire, Illinois)|Stevenson High School]] in [[Lincolnshire, Illinois]].<ref name=OhBrotherWhatAStart/>

Rob played defensive end opposite his brother, Rex, at [[Southwestern Oklahoma State University]].<ref name=OhBrotherWhatAStart/>

==Coaching career==
===Early career===
Ryan was a graduate assistant at [[Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football|Western Kentucky]] in 1987. Then in 1988, he was an assistant coach at [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]]. He then spent five seasons at [[Tennessee State Tigers football|Tennessee State]], where he coached [[running back]]s (1989–91), [[wide receiver]]s (1992) and the [[defensive line]] (1993).

===Arizona Cardinals===
Ryan first entered the NFL coaching ranks in 1994 as defensive backs coach on his father's staff for the [[Arizona Cardinals]]. He also coached Cardinals [[cornerback]]s and [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safeties]] in 1995. With Ryan as his position coach, cornerback [[Aeneas Williams]] earned two trips to the [[Pro Bowl]] in [[1995 Pro Bowl|1994]] and [[1996 Pro Bowl|1995]]. In 1995, the Cardinals led the NFL with 32 [[interception]]s and 42 total takeaways. The 1994 Cardinals ranked second in the NFL total defense, second in run defense and third in pass defense.

===Hutchinson===
After being fired by the Arizona Cardinals, Ryan served as defensive coordinator at [[Hutchinson Community College]] in 1996. Ryan's defense led the nation in total defense (228 yards-per-game) and in [[Quarterback sack|sacks]] (56). They also set a national record by forcing 49 turnovers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/meet-the-college-football-coach-who-s-taking-the-marijuana-business-by-storm-042016 |title=Meet the college football coach who's taking the marijuana business by storm |work=[[Fox Sports]] |date=April 20, 2016 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>

===Oklahoma State===
In 1997, Ryan became the defensive coordinator at [[Oklahoma State Cowboys football|Oklahoma State]]. While at Oklahoma State, the Cowboys defense continually ranked among the best in the nation, also he was named Coordinator of the Year by The Sporting News in 1997.

In 1999, they were ranked 10th in the nation in total defense. In 1998, they were second in the nation with 41 sacks. In his first season at Oklahoma State, the Cowboys defense finished among the nation top-20 in turnover margin, rushing defense, scoring defense, and total defense, allowing just 302.7 yards-per-game. It was an over 100-yard improvement per game from the year before and helped the Cowboys produce an 8–4 mark and capping the 1997 season with a berth in the [[1997 Alamo Bowl|Alamo Bowl]].

===New England Patriots===
Prior to the 2000 season, new Patriots coach [[Bill Belichick]] hired Ryan to serve as the [[linebackers coach]] for the [[New England Patriots]], where he spent the next four seasons.<ref name=OhBrotherWhatAStart/> In 2003, the Patriots ranked first in the NFL in points allowed with 238, while ranking seventh overall in the NFL in total defense. Ryan's unit also contributed to one of the best scoring defenses in franchise history in [[2001 New England Patriots season|2001]], as the Patriots allowed just 17 points-per-game and produced Pro Bowlers [[Willie McGinest]] and [[Tedy Bruschi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/RyanRo0.htm |title=Rob Ryan Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> During his tenure the Patriots won [[Super Bowl XXXVI]] over the [[St. Louis Rams]] and [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]] over the [[Carolina Panthers]].

===Oakland Raiders===
Ryan was hired as the defensive coordinator for the [[Oakland Raiders]] prior to the 2004 season.<ref name=OhBrotherWhatAStart/> In his first season, the Raiders defense ranked 31st in the league, averaging 27.6 points allowed per game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2004.htm |title=2004 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> The defense improved in his second season, averaging 23.9 points a game, and moving to 25th in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2005.htm |title=2005 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, the Raiders ranked third in yards-per-game but 18th in points-per-game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2006.htm |title=2006 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players | website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> In 2007, the Raiders defense ranked 22nd in yards- and 26th in points-per game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2013/1/9/3857196/rob-ryan-dallas-cowboys-eagles-jets |title=Rob Ryan is a poor coach and you don't want him |publisher=Bleeding Green Nation |date=January 9, 2013 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> In 2008, Ryan's defense ranked 24th with 388 points allowed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/rai/2008.htm |title=2008 Oakland Raiders Statistics & Players |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>

===Cleveland Browns===
[[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/2010.htm |title=2010 Cleveland Browns Statistics & Players |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/2010.htm |title=2010 Cleveland Browns Statistics & Players |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>

===Dallas Cowboys===
[[File:-Rob Ryan.jpg|thumb|Ryan with the Cowboys in 2012]]
Ryan was officially named the [[Dallas Cowboys]] defensive coordinator on January 19, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=A086AB87-E406-4F15-38E44621290D94C4 |title=After Long Wait, Ryan Named DC |website=www.dallascowboys.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122104633/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=A086AB87-E406-4F15-38E44621290D94C4 |archive-date=22 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hanzus |first=Dan |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rob-ryan-fired-by-dallas-cowboys-after-two-seasons-0ap1000000124015 |title=Rob Ryan fired by Dallas Cowboys after two seasons |publisher=[[National Football League]] |date=January 8, 2013 |access-date=January 8, 2013}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/29/rob-ryan-wont-be-rams-defensive-coordinator/ |title=Rob Ryan won't be Rams defensive coordinator |website=Profootballtalk.nbcsports.com |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2013/02/new_orleans_saints_hire_rob_ry.html |title=New Orleans Saints hire Rob Ryan as their new defensive coordinator |newspaper=Times-Picayune |date=February 9, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rob-ryan-to-coach-new-orleans-saints-defense-0ap1000000137607 |title=Rob Ryan to coach New Orleans Saints defense |website=NFL.com |date=February 9, 2013 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&statisticCategory=SCORING&conference=ALL&role=OPP&season=2013&seasonType=REG |title=NFL Stats: by Team Category |website=Nfl.com |date=July 21, 2015 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> Ryan's defense finished well statistically in [[2013 New Orleans Saints season|2013]], including fourth in fewest points-per-game and second for fewest passing yards allowed. The following year, [[2014 New Orleans Saints season|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 (American football)|Dennis Allen]] was appointed defensive coordinator following Ryan's dismissal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14148993/new-orleans-saints-fire-rob-ryan-defensive-coordinator |title=Saints part ways with Rob Ryan; Dennis Allen takes over struggling D |website=Espn.go.com |date=November 17, 2015 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>

===Buffalo Bills===
On January 10, 2016, the Bills announced that Ryan would be joining his brother's staff with the [[Buffalo Bills]] as assistant head coach.<ref>{{cite web|author=Frank Schwab |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/ryan-brothers-unite--rex-hires-brother-rob-to-join-him-in-buffalo-042916206.html |title=Ryan brothers unite! Rex hires brother Rob to join him in Buffalo |website=Sports.yahoo.com |date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref> Under Ryan, the Bills started out 0–2, then won four straight games, including a 16–0 shutout of the [[New England Patriots]], the first time that the Bills kept the Patriots scoreless at [[Gillette Stadium]]. The Bills entered the bye week at 4–5, then beat the Bengals and Jaguars to climb to 6-5 through week 12. They ranked 12th in the league as of week 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oddsshark.com/nfl/defensive-stats |title=NFL Football - Defensive Rankings & Statistics - December, 2016 |publisher=Odds Shark |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>

On December 27, 2016, the Bills announced they had fired Rob Ryan along with his brother Rex.

===Washington Redskins===
On January 30, 2019, Ryan was hired by the [[Washington Redskins]] as their inside linebackers coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25886150/redskins-hire-rob-ryan-linebackers-coach|title=Rob Ryan named Skins' inside linebackers coach|date=January 30, 2019}}</ref> On January 5, 2020, the team announced that incoming head coach [[Ron Rivera]] had replaced Ryan with [[Steve Russ]].<ref name="RedskinsFired">{{cite news |last1=Cadeaux |first1=Ethan |title=Report: Ron Rivera continues to eat staff quickly, adds linebacker and defensive backs coach |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/report-ron-rivera-continues-fill-staff-quickly-adds-linebacker-and-defensive-backs-coach |access-date=15 January 2020 |work=NBC Sports |date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

===Baltimore Ravens===
On January 22, 2021, Ryan was hired by the [[Baltimore Ravens]] as their inside linebackers coach under defensive coordinator [[Don Martindale]] and head coach [[John Harbaugh]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-hire-rob-ryan-as-inside-linebackers-coach|title=Ravens Hire Rob Ryan As Inside Linebackers Coach|website=www.baltimoreravens.com|language=en-US|access-date=2021-02-13|date=2021-01-22|first=Clifton|last=Brown}}</ref> On February 3, 2022, after only one season, Ryan and the Ravens parted ways.

===Las Vegas Raiders===
On February 12, 2022, Ryan was hired by the Raiders for a second time, this time as a senior defensive assistant under new defensive coordinator [[Patrick Graham (American football)|Patrick Graham]] and under new head coach [[Josh McDaniels]]. Ryan and McDaniels previously served as assistant coaches for the [[New England Patriots]] under head coach [[Bill Belichick]] from 2001 to 2003.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alper |first1=Josh |title=Rob Ryan joining Raiders as a senior defensive assistant |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/12/rob-ryan-joining-raiders-as-a-senior-defensive-assistant/ |website=profootballtalk.nbcsports.com |date=February 12, 2022 |publisher=NBC Universal |access-date=12 February 2022}}</ref> The team's defense ranked 26th in 2022,<ref>{{cite web |title=2022 NFL Defensive Rankings |url=https://www.footballdb.com/statistics/nfl/team-stats/defense-totals/2022/regular-season?sort=ydsgm |website=footballdb.com |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2022 NFL Opposition & Defensive Rankings |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2022/opp.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |publisher=Sports-Reference, LLC. |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref> 9th in 2023,<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 NFL Opposition & Defensive Rankings |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2023/opp.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |publisher=Sports-Reference, LLC. |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref> and 26th in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=2024 NFL Opposition & Defensive Rankings |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2024/opp.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |publisher=sports-reference, LLC. |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>

After three years, Ryan left the Raiders to join USC.

===USC===
On January 21, 2025, Ryan was hired by [[USC Trojans football|USC]] as the team's assistant head coach for defense/linebackers for the 2025 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Miele |first1=Angela |title=How Rob Ryan Hire Makes USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Better In Big Ten Conference |url=https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/rob-ryan-hiring-usc-trojans-lincoln-riley-danton-lynn-recruiting-eric-henderson-defensive-staff |website=si.com |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>

==Broadcasting==
In September 2017, Ryan was hired by [[Fox Sports]] to host a radio show with Mark Willard. In 2018, Ryan became a weekly analyst of [[Sky Sports]]' NFL coverage in the UK and Ireland.

==Personal life==
Ryan is married to Kristin Ryan and the couple have three children.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/kristen-ryan-gifts-new-school-with-bags-of-robs-favorite-goodies/ |title=Kristen Ryan Gifts New School With Bags Of Rob's Favorite Goodies |first=R.J. |last=Choppy |website=CBSLocal.com |date=September 18, 2012 |access-date=November 28, 2016}}</ref> 

In 2012, following in the footsteps of his brother, Ryan had [[lap band]] surgery in an attempt to lose weight. The procedure failed.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hubbuch |first=Bart |url=https://nypost.com/2016/05/27/rob-ryans-lap-band-almost-killed-him/ |title=Rob Ryan's lap band almost killed him &#124; New York Post |website=Nypost.com |date=May 27, 2016 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>  In 2024, Ryan was one of the Raiders' coaches who participated in a modified fitness test, based on the conditioning tests that the players take.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Tafur |first=Vic |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Can NFL coaches pass their players' conditioning test? Raiders' Antonio Pierce challenges his staff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5680115/2024/08/05/raiders-coaches-conditioning-test-antonio-pierce/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  Ryan spent two months training for the test and passed it.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.redskins.com/team/coaches-roster/rob-ryan Washington Redskins profile]
*{{commonscatinline}}

{{Super Bowl XXXVI}}
{{Super Bowl XXXVIII}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryan, Rob}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:Arizona Cardinals coaches]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bills coaches]]
[[Category:Cleveland Browns coaches]]
[[Category:Dallas Cowboys coaches]]
[[Category:Hutchinson Blue Dragons football coaches]]
[[Category:NFL defensive coordinators]]
[[Category:New England Patriots coaches]]
[[Category:Oakland Raiders coaches]]
[[Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football coaches]]
[[Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys football coaches]]
[[Category:Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:Tennessee State Tigers football coaches]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins coaches]]
[[Category:Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football coaches]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Ardmore, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:People from Lincolnshire, Illinois]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Illinois]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Toronto]]
[[Category:American twins]]
[[Category:Baltimore Ravens coaches]]
[[Category:Las Vegas Raiders coaches]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football from Oklahoma]]