The Raiders are bringing back one of the former defensive coordinators and it might not be the one you would expect. They are hiring Rob Ryan to be a senior defensive assistant, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
That move comes after the Ravens decided to let him go (along with defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale just a few weeks ago.
Former Ravens’ LB coach Rob Ryan is being hired as the Senior Defensive Assistant with the Las Vegas Raiders, per sources. Ryan is now back with the Raiders, where he once served five years as their defensive coordinator.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 12, 2022
Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Raiders from 2004 to 2008, working under Norv Turner, Art Shell and Lane Kiffin. Ryan was previously working with the Ravens as their inside linebackers coach in 2021 but has been in and out of the league for the past few seasons.
The best year of Ryan’s coaching career came in 20013 when he was the defensive coordinator of the Saints. During that season, they finished No. 4 in both points and yards. However, his defenses with the Raiders never finished higher than No. 18 in points allowed per game during his five years as the defensive coordinator.
Ryan does have some ties to the New England Patriots as he was a linebackers coach from 2000-2003 under Bill Belichick. It remains unclear what Ryan’s day-to-day job will be with the Raiders, but he has experience coaching every position on defense and can “float” from one unit to the next in practice if needed.
