i have mixed emotions on this one. i think ryan deserves a head coach job and certainly the chargers have great talent, but i wonder if ryan asked about controlling the hiring of his assistants. ryan needs to look hard at the relationship ozzie and brian have. i don't think he could even get close to that in SD. So while I am sorry he didn't get the job for his sake, I am glad for our sake and think in the long run he may be better off, assuming AJ Smith is their GM for the foreseeable future.

Well all I have to say is, "THANK THE LORD!"

I really didn't want Ryan to go. I'm sure the Ravens defense doesn't want him to leave either.

So what do you guys think, #1 defense in 2007 in the bag?

Rex Ryan is one of the best coordinators in the league and he deserves an opportunity to be a head coach somewhere eventually. But like I said in the Fangio blog, its the middle of February now. The draft and free agent period are coming up and most of the "hot assistants" are off the market witht the exception of Donnie Henderson. To be forced to make a change on defense now would cause more upheavel internally then if one was made shortly after the playoff loss.

On the flip side of things- how Norv Turner continues to get jobs in this league is beyond me, especially after he oversaw that train wreck in Oakland in '04 and '05.

One more thought on the Norv Turner hiring. Ironically this might open the door for Rex Ryan to get Mike Nolan's job next year. With Norv Turner, San Francisco actually had offensive identity last year. Without him the 49ers are back to square one and Mike Nolan's place on the hotseat just got a bit warmer.

I'm doin the happy dance that Rex is going to remain a Raven, and a large number of San Diego fans are scratching their heads wondering what just happened. As far as I'm concerned, their loss is definitely our big gain!

I agree that Norv Turner's head coaching stints should speak volumes about his ability in that role. Also, what's the deal with this league?? Is it that shallow that every year people began surfacing names of the next coordinator to get a head coaching job because of all the impending vacancies that are soon to come? At some point, everyone has been a head coach..the doors aren't just revolving with the players and free agency but the coaches seem to go through their own "free agency" period every year.

Yup, next season he will be a favorite for a lot head coaching jobs. That includes the Ravens job. The unimaginative offense Billick has in store will unfortunately negate another outstanding defense led by Rex Ryan. I see more of a 2005 season from our Ravens next year, rather than the 13-3 2006 squad.

Billick will be fired after next season, and I expect Rex will become the favorite to replace him, unless Marvin Lewis or Jack Del Rio is fired from their current jobs. Mike Singletary and Jon Gruden will probably get looks too.

well turner did make the playoffs with the redskins in the 1999 season.. -did not finish the 2000 season - because of a young owner who was impatient at the time...turner is a great guy -and he will do well....in oakland -it was a no win situation -ryan - has never been a head coach -yes he does deserve a chance -maybe in 2008...but am glad turner got it...its funny -before the ravens -came in 1996 -so many ravens fans under 30 were redskins fans...and turner was a part of that..i personally enjoy both ravens and the redksins.....they are 35 miles apart -and people in college park, laurel ,potomac -want both teams to do well....
i am real -i don't stop rooting for 1 team -just because the ravens came 12 years ago...their is room for both....and if their ever was a super bowl with the skins and ravens -you will than see the truth - where family members -literally pull for different teams...
the nationals and orioles -is different -not the same -but the skins and ravens play in the same state -and lets come real in 2007...a lot of ravens fans rooted for norv turner prior to 1996 -and still want joe gibbs to do well....

So the Chargers hired Norv Turner. Did Rich Kotite turn them down first? How does this guy keep getting jobs? Does he have pictures on someone?

NORV TURNER !!! Are you kidding ?? How many times can you retread a coach ?? I'd hate to see Rex Ryan go from the Ravens, but NORV TURNER ???!!!

I no longer fear the Chargers as a threat in the conference. We can now focus solely on the Patriots, Colts, Steelers and Bengals. Thank you A.J. you've done the rest of us a huge favor.

His record speaks for itself. LOSER. I hate to see what happen if Turner is brought here as head coach.
As for Ryan, He'll get a head coach job but not this year.

Amazing! The Chargers just fired Davey Johnson and hired Ray Miller! Going from a proven winner to a proven loser. Are Angelos and Spanos best buds?

This would be hilarious if it weren't so painful. Hope Tomlinson doesn't quit...