On Thursday, Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer talked about his decision not to interview for the head-coaching job in Buffalo.
Though he acknowledged that he aspires to be a head coach, Schottenheimer said that, for now, he wants to stay in New York.
“I’m flattered,” Schottenheimer said. “I really was. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Wilson. I have a lot of respect for the Bills organization. Buddy Nix is obviously a friend of mine having worked together. It’s not about the Buffalo Bills. It’s about the New York Jets and how I feel about this organization and the way I see the direction of this team going under Rex [Ryan]. Woody [Johnson] and Mike [Tannenbaum] stuck by me last year. All that stuff is stuff I took into consideration. At the end of the day, I feel good about the decision.”
Though he recognizes that NFL head-coaching opportunities are few and far between, he said that he presently has a bigger objective. “As I told you guys a couple of weeks ago, the biggest thing for me is the fact that I’m happy,” Schottenheimer said. “I haven’t always been happy. I love the direction of this team. We have a lot of time invested with the players [and] with the coaches. I think there are a lot of good days ahead.”
He says he’ll consider “all” offers, “but at the end of the day I’m happy. I don’t see myself going anywhere.”
If the Jets end up being not as good as he thinks they’ll be over the next several years, that sentiment will be far more accurate than he realizes.