Rob Ryan -- on the outside, at least -- does not lack confidence. No matter the fate of the Cowboys, their defensive coordinator is certain he'll be a head coach in due time.
His players say he's ready -- and he appreciates the nod -- but with Dallas (8-6) clinging to a one-game lead in the NFC East, Ryan's attention is focused on fulfilling at least some of the heady promises he issued upon his arrival this past offseason.
"That's great, but the bottom line is we're here together to win a championship and that's why (head coach) Jason (Garrett) hired me and that's why (owner) Jerry (Jones) hired me," Ryan told The Dallas Morning News this week. "That's what we're going to do. Trust me, I'm not all motivated just to be a head coach because, hey, that's going to happen."
With coaching vacancies in Kansas City, Miami and Jacksonville, it's almost certain Ryan's name will come up, but he insists there's no wandering eye for the next plum assignment.
"I love it here," Ryan said. "I love these guys. Everything is great. Bottom line is we're real happy here. My family is happy here. We want to win and we got the players to do it."
When Buddy Ryan, their father and Bears defensive coordinator, was hired to coach the Eagles in 1986, Chicago's defense was ranked first overall in 1985 and led the Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX.Â
Rob Ryan's defense is ranked 13th, so a little more time to show what he can do might be required before he lands his own team.
