New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has hailed head coach Rex Ryan as a "tremendous leader" of the team and called him the most passionate person that he has ever met.
The Jets missed out on the playoffs for a third consecutive season this year, but the growing speculation over Ryan's future was put to an end when it was announced after yesterday's win over the Miami Dolphins that he would definitely be returning next season.
In a letter sent to season-ticket holders following Sunday's match, Johnson admitted that Ryan had had his "ups and downs", but insisted that he was fully behind the 51-year-old.
"Rex has more passion than anyone I have ever met. Passion for the Jets. Passion for teaching and motivating his players and coaches. Passion for winning. Like any NFL Head Coach, he's had ups and downs, but Rex has been a tremendous leader of this football team," read the letter.
"We're confident that, with the leadership of General Manager John Idzik, working closely with Rex, we will enter 2014 with great opportunities to improve. We have the resources in place to continue to build our team, including more draft picks and roster flexibility than in previous years.
"In short, we're on the right path. We are going to continue to move forward together, always looking to be better and stronger, building on our successes and learning from our failures."
The victory on the final day of the season saw the Jets finish the campaign with an 8-8 record, tied in second place with the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.
Barney Corkhill
