The Jets hired Tony Sparano, a man Rex Ryan used to not be too fond of, as their new offense coordinator.
After a rough Jets loss to the Dolphins, who Sparano used to coach, in 2009 Ryan turned to a team employee and said, "I don't like this dude."
"I was pissed," Ryan recalled. "I'm like, 'I'm going to kick that dude's ass next time.'"
It was the last time a Sparano-led Dolphins team would beat the Jets, but Sparano had already earned Ryan's respect.
"After he became available," Ryan said, "I'm like, 'Oh, hell, yeah ... that's my guy.'"
Rex Ryan: I Used To Dislike Sparano