Rex Ryan sees a future in teaching again, and this time in the school ranks, as the ESPN analyst is displaying curiosity in the newly vacant head teaching place at the University of Maryland.
The former Jets coach is placing out feelers for the Terps job, according to Jeff Ermann of 247 Sports. The opening comes after Maryland fired head coach Mike Locksley during a 12-game dropping streak in Big Ten play.
Locksley, who’s been with the program for 9 seasons, was let go shortly after the Terrapins’ 37-30 loss at residence to Rutgers.
Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan seems on during minicamp observe in Florham Park, N.J., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Ryan, 63, hasn’t put on the teaching headset since the Bills fired him in 2016, but he could convey the aggressive hearth Maryland’s program wants. He’s also acquainted with the space, as Ryan spent 10 years 30 miles south of College Park as a place coach and defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
Hiring Ryan would create a “Deion-level buzz with actual coaching ability behind it,” according to Ermann. Much like Jim Harbaugh in his early years at Michigan, Ryan would persistently appeal to priceless media consideration to Maryland. His deep affection for the state, developed during his tenure with the Ravens, also makes it extremely probably that he could assemble a star-studded teaching employees.
During his eight years of head teaching, Ryan has a 61-66 total report and made a pair of journeys to the AFC Championship sport with the Jets in his first two seasons. He spoke with Giants coach Jon Harbaugh last offseason about probably coming on as defensive coordinator. Ryan last coached in school in 1998 as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma.
New York Jets basic supervisor Darren Mougey, left, talks with former Jets coach Rex Ryan during minicamp in Florham Park, N.J., Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Ryan would be part of other former NFL coaches Bill Belichick, Bill O’Brien, and Matt Rhule at the collegiate degree.
Maryland has some intriguing choices for the head teaching position, with former LSU coach Brian Kelly also talked about, alongside with Memphis coach Charles Huff, New Mexico’s Jason Eck and Wake Forest’s Jake Dickert being among the scorching names for openings. Aazaar Abdul-Rahim is presently Maryland’s interim head coach.