Tannenbaum: We want Schottenheimer back

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Brian Schottenheimer's tenuous grip on his job apparently hasn't slipped.

The Jets' embattled offensive coordinator has been questioned in recent weeks because of the inconsistencies of a unit that never lived up to expectations. But even though the Jets finished 27th overall in offense, general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Schottenheimer will return for a seventh season unless he gets a head-coaching job.

On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars asked for permission to interview Schottenheimer, and the Jets granted it.

"We do expect Brian Schottenheimer back," Tannenbaum said. "We have been with him now for six years and I really respect the job he's done in terms of working with three different quarterbacks, two [AFC] Championship Games, and he's done a really creditable job for us."

Rex Ryan reiterated his confidence in Schottenheimer, trying his best to shoot down speculation that the Jets are planning to fire him. ESPN reported Sunday that the Jets are going to revamp their entire offensive staff, ridding themselves of Schottenheimer and possibly elevating assistant head coach and offensive line coach Bill Callahan to offensive coordinator.

"We signed Brian to a contract extension ," Ryan said. "Both of us felt great about that. We have the opportunity to work with Brian every day during the week. He's smart, he's a football guy. We know he's an outstanding football coach."

That's why Ryan said he's tired of people pointing to Schottenheimer as the reason for the offense's problems.

"I think for whatever reason, people want to target him," Ryan said, "and I've said all along, it should be targeted at me, not at Brian or any other coach. It's my job as a head coach to get this team to play at a certain level. The criticism specifically about Brian is unfair."

But there's no denying the Jets underperformed on offense, averaging 311.8 yards and 23.6 points per game. They finished in the lower third of the league in three key statistical categories -- total yardage (25th), rushing (22nd) and passing (21st).

Amazingly, in a season in which many offensive records fell, the Jets had only three pass plays that gained 40 yards or more, tying the Rams for the league low. One of them came in Sunday's season-ending 19-17 loss to the Dolphins on a 41-yarder to tight end Matthew Mulligan -- and even that one was thrown by wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, not Mark Sanchez.

Still, Ryan did his best to pump up Schottenheimer's resume. "He's got everything it takes to be a successful head coach in this league," Ryan said. "I think it starts with pedigree, but more importantly, here is a guy that's been successful, he knows how to develop players, and we have gone to two back-to-back AFC Championship Games. A lot of that is due to his work ethic, which I think is tremendous.''