With long, silver hair, a cocksure manner and a penchant for cussin', Ryan, 48 is one of the league's most respected, and colorful, teachers. he spoke with USA TODAY's Jon Saraceno at the team's training camp in San Antonio.
Ugly defense in 2010, especially the secondary. How do you quickly turn it around?
Look, we're gonna play a helluva lot better — it ain't gonna be close. In Cleveland last year, we were in the top five most of the season in scoring defense. These guys are more talented. Are we gonna be better on defense? Hell, yeah. All those stats don't mean (squat).
Your defense boasts multiple past and current Pro Bowlers. Any good reasons if they — you — don't get it done?
None. If you're looking for someone to make excuses, you're looking at the wrong guy.
What is the biggest difference in your 3-4 compared to Wade Phillips' version?
I'm not sure. I learned from the best in (New England Patriots coach) Bill Belichick. And I learned from my father (Buddy) about pressure.
How do you get a defense's attention as the new sheriff in town?
When you are great, you don't have to hide. They know it. Hell. I've been great for a long time so there is no hiding from me. I'll be great and eventually move on. But I'll be great here - and I am going to prove it.
Do you intimidate players?
No, I am honest with them and I am easy to get along with. I am an excellent teacher. I know our staff is full of excellent teachers. I have great confidence.
We never met a Ryan in the NFL who didn't.
Exactly. But it's real. It's not some B.S. where a guy gives a speech. I might not be as great as Muhammad Ali, but I can back it up (laughs).
Most pleasant surprise in camp?
(Linebacker) Bradie James and the defense. Bradie has the most on his plate; I am most impressed. We've given them a lot of defense. Do we have it mastered? Not even close. But we're getting better every day.
You are laid-back, but you wore a coat and tie for your interview with Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.
Absolutely. I was trying to get this job. He told me to take it off. I was relieved.
Your take on Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones?
All he wants to do is win.
Isn't it sort of weird that you are now coaching on a team that, arguably, was your father's most bitter rival when coached in Philadelphia?
Pretty ironic. Dad was amazed that Jerry hired me.
Obviously, your goal is to become an NFL head coach, right?
Absolutely. I'm working for a great head coach here. I know I can coach in this league. I know I can lead men — and I want my chance. My brother has done a great job as a head coach; my father did a great job as a head coach. I will do a better job than both.
Won't you have to get a haircut first?
I don't know. That would suck. But I would cut it if I have to.
Kind of silly, isn't it?
Absolutely. I don't think anyone who would hire me as a head coach would tell me to get a haircut. Hopefully, they would want the best defensive coordinator in football. That's what I want to be — and that is what I'm gonna be this season.
Where do the Ryans get all that bravado and confidence?
All we do is coach football — this is what we're best at it. Other (coaches) may have hobbies — (they are) readers, Zen people, golfers, fishermen or hunters. We're football coaches. We know we're good. I mean, if this were French class or spelling, I would have no confidence -- none. If this were singing, I would have no confidence. If I had to play in the National Football League, I would have no confidence. I would have my head down and be getting the (stuffing) kicked out of me.
Ugly defense in 2010, especially the secondary. How do you quickly turn it around?
Look, we're gonna play a helluva lot better — it ain't gonna be close. In Cleveland last year, we were in the top five most of the season in scoring defense. These guys are more talented. Are we gonna be better on defense? Hell, yeah. All those stats don't mean (squat).
Your defense boasts multiple past and current Pro Bowlers. Any good reasons if they — you — don't get it done?
None. If you're looking for someone to make excuses, you're looking at the wrong guy.
What is the biggest difference in your 3-4 compared to Wade Phillips' version?
I'm not sure. I learned from the best in (New England Patriots coach) Bill Belichick. And I learned from my father (Buddy) about pressure.
How do you get a defense's attention as the new sheriff in town?
When you are great, you don't have to hide. They know it. Hell. I've been great for a long time so there is no hiding from me. I'll be great and eventually move on. But I'll be great here - and I am going to prove it.
Do you intimidate players?
No, I am honest with them and I am easy to get along with. I am an excellent teacher. I know our staff is full of excellent teachers. I have great confidence.
We never met a Ryan in the NFL who didn't.
Exactly. But it's real. It's not some B.S. where a guy gives a speech. I might not be as great as Muhammad Ali, but I can back it up (laughs).
Most pleasant surprise in camp?
(Linebacker) Bradie James and the defense. Bradie has the most on his plate; I am most impressed. We've given them a lot of defense. Do we have it mastered? Not even close. But we're getting better every day.
You are laid-back, but you wore a coat and tie for your interview with Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.
Absolutely. I was trying to get this job. He told me to take it off. I was relieved.
Your take on Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones?
All he wants to do is win.
Isn't it sort of weird that you are now coaching on a team that, arguably, was your father's most bitter rival when coached in Philadelphia?
Pretty ironic. Dad was amazed that Jerry hired me.
Obviously, your goal is to become an NFL head coach, right?
Absolutely. I'm working for a great head coach here. I know I can coach in this league. I know I can lead men — and I want my chance. My brother has done a great job as a head coach; my father did a great job as a head coach. I will do a better job than both.
Won't you have to get a haircut first?
I don't know. That would suck. But I would cut it if I have to.
Kind of silly, isn't it?
Absolutely. I don't think anyone who would hire me as a head coach would tell me to get a haircut. Hopefully, they would want the best defensive coordinator in football. That's what I want to be — and that is what I'm gonna be this season.
Where do the Ryans get all that bravado and confidence?
All we do is coach football — this is what we're best at it. Other (coaches) may have hobbies — (they are) readers, Zen people, golfers, fishermen or hunters. We're football coaches. We know we're good. I mean, if this were French class or spelling, I would have no confidence -- none. If this were singing, I would have no confidence. If I had to play in the National Football League, I would have no confidence. I would have my head down and be getting the (stuffing) kicked out of me.
