Beleaguered Jets general manager John Idzik, who has been at the center of fan and media scorn in just his second season on the job, has been helping craft the preparations for the franchise’s ensuing coaching search along with owner Woody Johnson, league sources said, at a time when many have wondered if the GM would be back himself.
Some sources cautioned that Johnson could still perhaps opt to hire a new general manager as well, especially should he pursue an A-List coach who might want his own personnel executive, but it surprised some around the league to learn that Idzik has been involved in the pre-vetting stages of the search. It’s widely known that Jets coach Rex Ryan will not be back in 2015 -- he could well end up choosing broadcasting over a return to coaching next season, sources said -- and, with a the competition for coaching candidates expected to be heavy, Johnson and Idzik are preparing lists and sniffing around on certain potential candidates.
To this point the franchise is not using a headhunter or search firm -- Johnson has in the past -- and while that could change at some point, for now it has been Johnson, Idzik and team president Neil Glat who have been handling the behind-the-scenes stuff. Idzik has some natural ties to both of the Seattle Seahawks coordinators -- Darrell Bevell and Dan Quinn, who have interviewed for head coaching jobs, and whom he worked with in Seattle. And Idzik has also thought highly of 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman in the past, though the descent of San Francisco’s offense this season would seemingly put a dimmer on his coaching star.
The Jets have been a dysfunctional franchise, which would certainly scare some candidates away, but the glare of the Big Apple, a high 2015 draft pick (perhaps even the No. 1 overall) and the high-profile nature of this job will appeal to others.
