New Jersey Native Picked as Jets Head Coach

The New York Jets went across the country to get their new head coach, and they’re bringing him back home.

Just hours after announcing new general manager Mike Maccagnan, the New York Jets hired Todd Bowles, who previously worked as the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator, according to espn.com.

Bowles is a New Jersey native, having grown up in Elizabeth and graduating from high school there in 1982. After high school Bowles played football at Temple University in Philadelphia and went on to play in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers from 1986 to 1993.

Bowles’ contract with the Jets will be four years for $4 million per season, espn.com reported.

Bowles spent a season as the Jets’ defensive backs coach in 2000, and has coached with a total of six NFL teams as well as two colleges.

Initial reports said the Jets were targeting another New Jersey native, Dan Quinn, of Morris Township, the defensive coordinator for the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks. Jets brass were prepared to fly to Seattle last weekend in the event the team was eliminated from the playoffs so they could speak with Quinn, but the Seahawks playoff run continued, making the coordinator off-limits to other teams.

Bowles will replace Rex Ryan as head coach, who was let go the day after the Jets 2014 season ended. Ryan landed on his feet within the division and will now coach the Buffalo Bills.