Happy New Year!
Rhonda
By Juliette Weiland
In 2009, at age 46, Rex Ryan attained his lifelong dream: He was named the head coach of the NFL New York Jets. However, just a few months later, the brash but highly respected coach, known for his bravado and fiercely competitive attitude, surprised the sports world by admitting that he has dyslexia and that the written page appeared to him as nothing more than a muddled mess of letters.
By the time Ryan was a teen, he was a self-described terrible student and horrible speller—a situation made worse by the fact that his twin brother, Rob Ryan, did not seem to share his plight. They did, however, share athleticism. Long and lanky, the Ryan brothers both played defensive end in high school and college, earning reputations for being scrappers on and off the field.
A Family of Achievers
Doris Ryan, the twins’ mother, had a Ph.D. in education and was a vice president at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Their father, Buddy Ryan, the legendary NFL coach, was a two-time academic All-American. Even Jim Ryan, the oldest brother, has an MBA and law degree.
In contrast, Rex, dubbed the “Mad Scientist” by his players for his highly creative defensive blitz tactics, remembers doodling football plays in his English notebook while in high school and still admits to difficulty retaining information if it appears in black and white. To compensate, he color codes everything, including his playbooks and call sheets, and has done so for as long as he can remember.
Ironically, not until a few years ago when his oldest son, Payton, was tested for ADHD did Ryan discover that he had dyslexia. “They gave me a test, too,” he said. “Not real words, but letters just thrown out there.”
About 100 words and 15 minutes later, Ryan managed to read all out loud. However, when his youngest son, Seth, was brought in, Seth read the words “in like a minute.”
“I always felt like, what the heck is wrong with me?” said Ryan.
In Pursuit of Excellence
Despite questioning himself, Ryan remained undaunted in his dream to become an NFL head coach as his father had been. That confidence helped him persevere throughout college, where Ryan, like his twin brother, is remembered as a free spirit, thin as a bean pole, who thought nothing of being bounced about on the football field then getting up, ready and eager for more.
In fact, both Ryans were well-liked, good natured and not “afraid to line up against anyone,” according to Bob Mazie, former head football coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where Rex and Rob graduated in 1987.
In 1987-88, Ryan was hired as defensive coordinator for Eastern Kentucky University, where he also earned his masters in physical education. For the next decade, he would excel in collegiate coaching, including a stint at Morehead State, where his Eagles defense ranked among the highest in the nation.
In 1999, Ryan joined the Baltimore Ravens as defensive coordinator and later as assistant head coach. During his tenure, the Ravens ranked first in fewest points allowed per game, fewest rushing yards allowed per game, most shutouts, most takeaways, and most interceptions.
Since Ryan took the reins with the Jets, the team has developed a well-earned reputation as one of the most physical teams in the NFL, with an aggressive, unpredictable defense. And he is out to win the Super Bowl.
“I’ve always been good enough,” he said. “And I’m going to prove it. I’m going to give them everything I’ve got, and I expect that our players will do the same. I want tough, passionate guys—the kind that have the same passion and same feeling that I have.”
For as long as Ryan can remember he has struggled with reading, spelling, and pronouncing names. In his early years, he skipped school at every opportunity. “I was embarrassed,” he said.
By the time Ryan was a teen, he was a self-described terrible student and horrible speller—a situation made worse by the fact that his twin brother, Rob Ryan, did not seem to share his plight. They did, however, share athleticism. Long and lanky, the Ryan brothers both played defensive end in high school and college, earning reputations for being scrappers on and off the field.
A Family of Achievers
Doris Ryan, the twins’ mother, had a Ph.D. in education and was a vice president at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. Their father, Buddy Ryan, the legendary NFL coach, was a two-time academic All-American. Even Jim Ryan, the oldest brother, has an MBA and law degree.
In contrast, Rex, dubbed the “Mad Scientist” by his players for his highly creative defensive blitz tactics, remembers doodling football plays in his English notebook while in high school and still admits to difficulty retaining information if it appears in black and white. To compensate, he color codes everything, including his playbooks and call sheets, and has done so for as long as he can remember.
Ironically, not until a few years ago when his oldest son, Payton, was tested for ADHD did Ryan discover that he had dyslexia. “They gave me a test, too,” he said. “Not real words, but letters just thrown out there.”
About 100 words and 15 minutes later, Ryan managed to read all out loud. However, when his youngest son, Seth, was brought in, Seth read the words “in like a minute.”
“I always felt like, what the heck is wrong with me?” said Ryan.
In Pursuit of Excellence
Despite questioning himself, Ryan remained undaunted in his dream to become an NFL head coach as his father had been. That confidence helped him persevere throughout college, where Ryan, like his twin brother, is remembered as a free spirit, thin as a bean pole, who thought nothing of being bounced about on the football field then getting up, ready and eager for more.
In fact, both Ryans were well-liked, good natured and not “afraid to line up against anyone,” according to Bob Mazie, former head football coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where Rex and Rob graduated in 1987.
In 1987-88, Ryan was hired as defensive coordinator for Eastern Kentucky University, where he also earned his masters in physical education. For the next decade, he would excel in collegiate coaching, including a stint at Morehead State, where his Eagles defense ranked among the highest in the nation.
In 1999, Ryan joined the Baltimore Ravens as defensive coordinator and later as assistant head coach. During his tenure, the Ravens ranked first in fewest points allowed per game, fewest rushing yards allowed per game, most shutouts, most takeaways, and most interceptions.
Since Ryan took the reins with the Jets, the team has developed a well-earned reputation as one of the most physical teams in the NFL, with an aggressive, unpredictable defense. And he is out to win the Super Bowl.
“I’ve always been good enough,” he said. “And I’m going to prove it. I’m going to give them everything I’ve got, and I expect that our players will do the same. I want tough, passionate guys—the kind that have the same passion and same feeling that I have.”
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