In an interview with Tom Pedulla of USA Today, Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said he's interested in being head coach of the Oakland Raiders.
Many expect current Raiders coach Tom Cable to be fired by owner Al Davis, perhaps as soon as today.
"Hell, yeah, I'd have interest," Ryan told Pedulla. "I haven't talked to Mr. Davis because he has a coach. Let's see what happens."
Ryan was defensive coordinator for the Raiders from 2004 to 2008. In Ryan's first year as defensive coordinator with Cleveland, the Browns finished 31st in the league in total defense and 21st in scoring defense.
Ryan interviewed for the Raiders' head coaching job four years ago.
"I will be a head coach in this league, and I will be damn successful, too," Ryan said.
Rob's brother, Rex Ryan, is in his first season as head coach of the New York Jets and helped lead the team to the playoffs.
Rob Ryan may have tried to plant the seed in Davis' mind that he'd like Cable's job before the Browns hosted the Raiders on Dec. 27.
Asked what it was like to coach in Oakland, Ryan said, "It was like a dream come true for me. Me and my brother, that’s something we always dreamed about, being the bad guy. It was great.
"I learned a ton of football from Mr. Davis. It was a great experience. We didn’t win and that’s the thing, like I said, nothing is guaranteed in this business. Even though they have the teams of the decade and had all of those Super Bowls, it didn’t work out when I was there five years."
Ryan said Davis didn't interfere as much as it is perceived.
"That’s the biggest misconception there is," Ryan said. "Not at all. Not at all until the season is over. Then he wants to know what you did and why you do it and things like that and the personnel. I never saw all of that, what people say. Maybe he changed when I got there. I don’t know. He didn’t like to be around me or something.”
What does the CZAR think of this treacherous behavior?
It's that hair of his … matches the Raider's helmets.
I would wish him all the best but in my opinion he is only setting himself up for questionable things after what I perceived as ultimate success here in Cleveland under the circumstances. I look at Rob as the one man that brought a real smile to my face this year. I really feel his will-will bring us a solid-consistent defense next year that will be in the top 10. Rob, you are a blue collar guy just like this town but if you want to bolt back to the rolling coastline with lovely year round weather without finishing what you began here than you are not nor had been truly one of us – a-Cleveland Brown! Mike Trivisano's "secret love."
I like him as a defense coach but if he wants to go to a losing team like Oakland, don't let the door hit you in your big gray butt on the way out the door. Later Ryan. There are lots of good defensive coordinators out there. You never know maybe we won't be ranked last in the league next year.
Hey Reggie Rocker, he would leaving a losing team to go to another losing team. What would he have to loose! You cant blame the Guy for tring to reach his career goals. Good luck Ryan!! I hope you reach your goal some day!
The Ryans sure do a lot of boisterous talking…starting with their dad. One of the first things they should learn is tact. Sometimes, it's not so much what you say, but how you say it.
I agree with SanDiego Joe, the Ryans sure do allot of talking. His brother Rex is a rookie head football coach. If he were a rookie player, we'd be telling him to shut his mouth and just play football. Big mouth coach = big mouth players. Later days grey beard!