Written By Master Tesfatsion at Washington Post.com
Continuing their hunt for a defensive coordinator, the Washington Redskins met with former Buffalo Bills assistant head coach/defense Rob Ryan on Monday, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed, and they are scheduled to interview San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach Jason Tarver later this week, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Ryan, the brother of former Bills coach Rex Ryan, has 12 years of experience as a defensive coordinator with four NFL teams. He hasn’t had much success in that position, however, with his units ranking in the top five in total defense for just two of those 12 seasons and ranking in the top half of the league just three times.
Before joining the Bills in 2016, Ryan served as the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints from 2013 to 2015. The Saints finished fourth in total defense and points allowed during Ryan’s first season, but he was fired in 2015 after the Saints allowed 47 points to the Redskins in Week 10. New Orleans ranked 31th in total defense in both 2014 and 2015; the unit finished 28th in points allowed in 2014 and was last in 2015.
Ryan, 54, is the third known candidate the Redskins have interviewed for the position. They had previously met with former Cleveland Browns coach Mike Pettine and former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley, who will reportedly interview with the Los Angeles Chargers for the same position on Anthony Lynn’s staff. Washington received permission to interview Steve Wilks, but he was promoted as the Carolina Panthers’ defensive coordinator after previously serving as the team’s assistant head coach/defensive backs coach.
Tarver would be the fourth known interview by the Redskins for the position since they fired Joe Barry on Jan. 5. The 42-year-old spent the past two years as the linebackers coach for the 49ers, who fired Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly after one season apiece. Tarver was previously the defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders from 2012 to 2014. Oakland ranked 18th, 22th and 21st, respectively, over that period in total defense and 28th, 29th and 32nd in points allowed.
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