Rex Ryan, deposed head coach of the New York Jets and reportedly future coach of the Buffalo Bills, was, per a report from Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, very interested in taking over the top spot with the Atlanta Falcons.
But the team's hesitancy to commit to bringing him in for a second interview left him impatient and feeling "strung along" and led to his taking the job being offered to him by the Bills and GM Doug Whaley and new team owners, the Pegulas'.
A Saturday morning epiphany regarding his precarious position and the fleeting nature of head coaching offers in the NFL left the notoriously boisterous and ego-driven coach feeling like he had no other choice.
"He wanted to be the next Falcons head coach for a million reasons, but rumors and a cold silence from the people that he'd hit it off with just days earlier made it impossible for him to separate fact from fiction," writes Mehta.
"...Ryan called the 49ers later in the morning to find out if they had any intention of bringing him back for a second interview, but confusion over the Falcons job stung him most, according to sources."
Friends advised Ryan to be patient, not make any rash or impulsive decisions and wait and see if the Falcons changed their minds or showed an increased interest in his services. Ryan apparently felt that, much like when he interviewed with the Falcons brass seven years ago, the interview he had with Falcons president Rich McKay, GM Thomas Dimitroff and assistant GM Scott Pioli had been "productive."
But their silence afterwards was deafening, leaving Ryan feeling slighted and confused.
"Ryan would have canceled his trip to Buffalo Thursday morning if the Falcons had committed to bringing him back for a second sit-down, according to sources, but there was hesitation on the team's part."
The Bills on the other hand reportedly embraced Ryan from the jump.
And so, stung by Atlanta's disinterest and despite the fact that from the very beginning of the process, Buffalo had been his third-rated position - not something fans of the team will be happy to hear - Ryan made the decision to become the next head coach of the Bills.
"If they ain't gonna call," Ryan told friends, "I'm going to go for it."
