Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is coming back in 2014.
After months of speculation surrounding Ryan's job security, Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed the coach's return for next season after New York concluded the 2013 campaign with a 20-7 win at Miami to finish 8-8.
"I couldn't be any prouder of this team," the Jets' website quoted Johnson as saying after the game.
The Jets weren't expected to contend for a postseason spot this year, especially after veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez was hurt in the preseason and rookie Geno Smith was handed the offensive reins.
It left Ryan's status clearly in doubt.
The Jets' uneven season began with an NFL record of alternating wins and losses over the first 10 games. After a 23-3 loss at home against the Dolphins left the Jets 5-7 to start the final month, the team rallied and won three of its last four.
Sunday's victory gave the Jets their only back-to-back wins of the year and also knocked the Dolphins out of postseason contention. The Jets, based on a head-to-head tiebreaker with Miami, actually finished second in the AFC East.
Ryan, who guided the Jets to a pair of AFC Championship Game appearances in his first two years, still has just one losing season on his resume -- 6-10 in 2012.
The Jets are 42-38 in Ryan's five-year tenure.
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