Rex Ryan’s son joins Jets coaching staff

A third generation of Ryans will be coaching for the New York Jets in 2026.

Seth Ryan, the son of former Jets head coach Rex Ryan, has been hired as the team’s new passing game coordinator, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Seth Ryan previously worked as an offensive assistant for the Detroit Lions.

Buddy Ryan worked for the Jets as a defensive line coach during the 1970s. Rex, his son, was head coach of the team from 2009 to 2014, and even sought to reclaim the job last year. That makes Seth the third generation of the Ryan family to coach for the organization.

Beyond his family ties to the franchise, the 31-year-old Ryan has local ties, having grown up in New Jersey when his father coached the Jets. He played college football at Clemson as a wide receiver, and was part of the team that won a national title in 2017.

Ryan had worked for the Lions since 2021. He was initially the team’s assistant wide receivers coach, and was promoted to assistant tight ends coach for the 2025 season. The Jets also spoke to him about a job on their staff three years ago, but passed on him at that time.