The Green Bay Packers hired former Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine as their new defensive coordinator on Wednesday.
Vouching for Pettine to make a major impact in Green Bay, former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan had this to say.
“He’ll be the best coordinator in the league; that’s how good he is,” Ryan said, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “I think the big thing is, the fan base ought to be super excited about him because this is a good get. There’s other names out there or whatever, but this is the best coach out there that they could’ve got.”
Ryan first met Pettine when both worked for the Baltimore Ravens 16 seasons ago. At that time, Ryan was Baltimore’s defensive line coach and Pettine worked in the Ravens’ video department, per the report.
Pettine was later promoted up the ranks in Baltimore to defensive coordinator. Ryan also worked with Pettine as the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets from 2009-2012. Pettine then moved on to serve as defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills in 2013.
In Pettine’s 10 seasons as defensive coordinator, he has led five top-10 defenses. He now arrives in Green Bay to help bolster a defense that yielded the 11th-most yards in the NFL last season.
Hopefully, Pettine lives up to expectations after being so heavily endorsed by Ryan.