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Redskins hire former long-time NFL defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to coach inside linebackers

By Jacob Camenker

BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 16: Buffalo Bills coach Rob Ryan watches from the side lines during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 16: Buffalo Bills coach Rob Ryan watches from the side lines during the second half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field on October 16, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins have brought in Rob Ryan to serve as their inside linebackers coach. The veteran coach is an intriguing addition and should be an upgrade over the departed Kirk Olivadotti.

The Redskins started the offseason off by making some questionable decisions with their coaching staff. Now, it appears that they are making some solid moves. Just a day after retaining defensive line coach Jim Tomsula and promoting quarterbacks coach Kevin O’Connell to offensive coordinator, the team has added another intriguing name to their coaching staff. That would be former Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

On Wednesday, the Redskins announced via their official Twitter that Ryan had been hired. Most recently, Ryan worked as an assistant head coach in charge of defense for his brother Rex with the Bills. That was in 2016. After two years off, Ryan will return to the NFL and will provide the Redskins with a wealth of experience.

From 2004 to 2015, Ryan served as a defensive coordinator for four different clubs. His tenures with most teams were usually nothing better than average, but he did have a few solid defenses. Most notably, his work with the 2013 Saints — when he transformed the team into a top-five unit unexpectedly — was impressive. And it is notable that he did spend seven years in Oakland and Cleveland, so it’s fair to wonder just how good the personnel was on those units.

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Regardless of how his defenses fared, it’s notable that Ryan is joining the Redskisn as a position coach. So, he will only have to focus on working with the inside linebackers. The last time that Ryan was a position coach of that nature came from 2000 to 2003 with the New England Patriots. He picked up two Super Bowl rings during that tenure and helped to coach Willie McGinest and Tedy Bruschi. So, needless to say, that’s encouraging even though it was over 15 years ago.

By adding Ryan, the Redskins are continuing to add experience to their staff. Now, the team has Greg Manusky, Ray Horton, and Ryan. All three have experience as defensive coordinators and should be able to create a plan that works on all facets to improve the team’s defense. And at the very least, Ryan and Horton have developed talent at the positions they are coaching, so that’s a plus.

Also, it’s notable that the inside linebackers had a lot of trouble in coverage for the ‘Skins last year. Perhaps a new voice to replace the team’s long-time assistant Olivadotti was needed. Ryan will get a chance to unlock the full potential of Mason Foster, Zach Brown, Reuben Foster, and Shaun Dion Hamilton. And if he’s anything close to as fiery as he was during his other coaching tenures, he should be a good addition to this Washington staff.

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Ryan doesn’t have a lot of upside at this point in his career. He could still be a fine defensive coordinator short-term, but he should be a solid position coach. Considering that the team didn’t sacrifice a superior candidate to land Ryan, this seems like a good move that could pan out. At the very least, Ryan will demand the best from his inside linebackers in 2019 and should function as a good motivator.

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