On the surface, the Jets will have three new coordinators in 2013. But in all likelihood, two of the coordinators will be familiar faces.
After Rex Ryan officially announced Tuesday that Ben Kotwica will replace Mike Westhoff as special teams coordinator, I asked the Jets head coach what kind of coordinator DB coach Dennis Thurman would make.
"I am not sure if there is anybody else who could lose Darrelle Revis (who was voted by his peers as the best defensive player) after two games and still end up 2nd in the NFL in pass defense," Ryan told me on his "Jets Talk LIVE" appearance. "That tells you everything you have to know about this guy. He is a developer of talent, he is guy who can coach the tough player and he can do all those type of things. He is about as smart a guy I've been around and understands the game more from a former player perspective and a coach. He is a commanding figure in the meetings room. Everybody respects him."
Thurman, who played eight of his nine pro seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, had 36 career interceptions and returned four for touchdowns. He was an All-American player at USC and coached at his alma matter for eight years (1993-2000) before mentoring the Ravens secondary from 2002 – '07.
"He never missed a game when he played," Ryan said. "He missed one practice his entire career, so he is an amazing guy that way."
Ryan indicated today that he would like to consult with the new Jets GM before making any more staff hires, but you get a sense that Thurman could be a prohibitive favorite to take over the defensive vacancy created by Mike Pettine's departure.
"I'm taking the approach that this is absolutely a new beginning — that we will build that chemistry of the coaching staff and everything else. I believe it is a group that is going to be together for a long time," Ryan said. "That's how I'm looking at this."
