Rob Ryan enters his first season as the Ravens' inside linebackers coach. Ryan, 58, is a 31-year coaching veteran who most recently served in the same role for the Washington Redskins in 2019. The 2021 season marks Ryan's 21st season of coaching in the NFL ranks. Beginning his coaching career at the collegiate level, Ryan first entered the NFL as a defensive backs coach with the Arizona Cardinals, under his father Buddy Ryan, in 1994. He previously served as defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders (2004-08), Cleveland Browns (2009-10), Dallas Cowboys (2011-12) and New Orleans Saints (2013-15). Ryan has also held coaching positions with the New England Patriots (2000-03), Buffalo Bills (2016) and Washington Redskins (2019).
ADDITIONAL COACHING HIGHLIGHTS: In 2013, Ryan led a Saints' defensive unit that finished second in the NFL in net passing yards allowed (194.1) and fourth in points (19.0) and total yards (305.7) allowed. While leading the Cowboys' (2011-12) defense, Ryan helped guide Pro Bowl OLB Demarcus Ware, who posted 10-plus sack seasons in both campaigns. Ware finished second in the league in sacks in 2011 (19.5), the second most during his career. While with Cleveland in 2010, Ryan helped mold rookie CB Joe Haden, who finished tied for fifth in the NFL in interceptions (six), which also ranked second among first-year players. Ryan's first defensive coordinator role in the NFL came with the Oakland Raiders (2004-08), where, during that span, his units ranked sixth in the NFL in pass defense (199.2). In 2006, CB Nnamdi Asomugha finished tied for third in the league in interceptions (eight). Also under Ryan's guidance, DE Derrick Burgess twice earned Pro Bowl nods after posting consecutive 10-plus sack seasons (2005-06). Burgess recorded an NFL- and career-high 16 sacks in the 2005 campaign. Prior to joining the Raiders, Ryan served as the linebackers coach with New England (2000-03). He was part of a defense in 2003 that ranked first in the NFL in points allowed (14.9) and interceptions (29) and ranked fourth in run defense (89.6) and seventh in total defense (291.6). During Ryan's four years in New England, the team captured two Super Bowl titles (Super Bowl XXXVI and Super Bowl XXXVIII).
2019: (with Washington) 2019: Spent one season with the WFT as inside linebackers coach...Helped guide rookie LB Cole Holcomb, who appeared in all 16 games (15 starts) and finished second in the NFL among rookie defenders with 101 tackles (Devin Bush - 109).
2016: (with Buffalo) 2016: Served as assistant head coach/defense for the Bills under head coach Rex Ryan, his twin brother...Buffalo finished sixth in pass defense (223.9 ypg) and had four defenders earn Pro Bowl honors.
2013-15: (with New Orleans) Served as defensive coordinator for the Saints. 2015: DE Cameron Jordan earned the Pro Bowl after recording 10 sacks, 2 FRs and 1 FF. 2013: Led a Saints' defensive unit that finished second in the NFL in net passing yards allowed (194.1), and fourth in points (19.0) and total yards (305.7) allowed...Jordan earned his first-career Pro Bowl selection.
2011-12: (with Dallas) Spent two seasons as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, working with OLB DeMarcus Ware, who recorded double-digit sack totals and earned Pro Bowl honors in both campaigns. 2012: Ware had a team-high 11.5 sacks en route to his seventh-consecutive Pro Bowl nod. 2011: Ware earned his sixth Pro Bowl and fourth first-team All-Pro recognition after posting 19.5 sacks, the NFL's second most (Jared Allen - 22).
2009-10: (with Cleveland) Was the Browns' defensive coordinator for two seasons. 2010: Cleveland ranked 13th in points allowed (20.8)...Helped develop rookie CB Joe Haden, who finished tied for fifth in the NFL with a career-high 6 INTs.
2004-08: (with Oakland) Earned his first NFL defensive coordinator position with the Raiders. 2008: CB Nnamdi Asomugha was named first-team All-Pro and reached his first-career Pro Bowl. 2006: Oakland finished third in total yards allowed (284.8 ypg) and allowed the NFL's fewest passing yards (150.8 ypg)...Asomugha finished third (tied) in the NFL with a career-high 8 INTs...DE Derrick Burgess earned his second-straight Pro Bowl after recording 11 sacks. 2005: Burgess was named to his first Pro Bowl after leading the NFL with a career-high 16 sacks.
2000-03: (with New England) Spent four years as linebackers coach with the Patriots, winning two Super Bowl titles. 2003: New England ranked first in points allowed (14.9 ppg) and seventh in total defense (291.6 ypg) en route to winning Super Bowl XXXVIII...LB Willie McGinest earned his second Pro Bowl. 2001: The Patriots defeated the Rams to win Super Bowl XXXVI.
1997-99: (with Oklahoma State) Spent three seasons as defensive coordinator. 1997: Oklahoma State finished No. 24 in the AP poll and made an appearance in the Alamo Bowl...Following the season, DB R.W. McQuarters was selected by the 49ers in the first round of the NFL Draft.
1996: (with Hutchinson CC) 1996: Earned his first opportunity as a defensive coordinator with the Blue Dragons.
1994-95: (with Arizona) 1994: Held his first role as an NFL assistant as defensive backs coach with the Cardinals...Ryan was the position coach for Hall of Fame DB Aeneas Williams, who recorded an NFL-high 15 INTs during the two seasons under Ryan...Williams' 9 INTs in 1994 were tied for first in the NFL.
1989-93: (with Tennessee State) Spent five seasons with the Tigers, coaching the running backs, linebackers and defensive line.
1988: (with Ohio State) Joined Ohio State as the team's outside linebackers coach...Worked under head coach John Cooper in his first season with the Buckeyes.
1987: (with Western Kentucky) Began his coaching career as a defensive assistant at Western Kentucky.
COLLEGE: Ryan attended Southwestern Oklahoma State, where he played defensive end alongside his twin brother, Rex...The Ryan brothers were inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2012.
PERSONAL: Attended Stevenson (Lincolnshire, IL) HS...Ryan's first NFL coaching opportunity was under his father, Buddy, in 1994 with the Cardinals...His brother, Rex, was a longtime Baltimore Ravens assistant (1999-2008), including serving as the team's defensive coordinator from 2005-08...Rob and his wife, Kristin, have two sons, Joseph and Matthew, and a daughter, Dimitria.
