The Jets’ process of finding their next head coach and general manager will include outside consultation. The 33rd Team has been hired to assist in the search for Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas‘ replacements, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports. The news is now official.
[RELATED: Jets Targeting Experienced HC, GM Candidates]
Specifically, Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman will take part in the process of identifying and interviewing candidates. Owner Woody Johnson will lead the search, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes, but having the 33rd Team onboard will allow for a pair of experienced former front office members to assist. This marks the NFL think tank’s first such collaboration with a franchise for a hiring process.
Tannenbaum founded the 33rd Team in 2019, one year after his tenure as the Dolphins’ EVP of football operations came to an end. That, in turn, was preceded by a run as general manager of the Jets from 2006-12. The 55-year-old constructed the team’s most recent playoff roster and has a familiarity with Johnson which could help over the coming months. Tannenbaum was in place when Rex Ryan was hired as head coach; the latter has publicly campaigned to return to that position, but Costello notes there have been no signs the organization reciprocates that desire.
Spielman worked his way to the title of general manager of the Dolphins for the 2004 season before ultimately having an extended tenure in that role with the Vikings. He took charge of the franchise in 2012 and remained in place until he was fired following the 2021 campaign. Since then, the 61-year-old has had a number of media-related roles. He also assisted the Commanders in their general manager search this past offseason.
Johnson fired Saleh after Week 5 in the hopes a change on the sidelines would spark a turnaround. Instead, the Jets are 1-5 under Jeff Ulbrich. Those continued struggles led to the decision to move on from Douglas early rather than waiting for his contract to expire at the end of the campaign. Interviews with executives employed by other teams cannot take place at this point, but those unaffiliated with the Jets’ competitors are free to speak with Johnson and Co. at any time.
On that note, Jones lists Dawn Aponte as a name to watch. A former Jets exec – who also worked under Tannenbaum in Miami – she currently serves as the NFL’s chief administrator of football operations. Aponte interviewed for the Chargers’ GM gig this past winter and was mentioned as a candidate for a high-ranking position in the Commanders’ front office.
It will be interesting to see if Aponte is interviewed by the Jets in the near future as the team sorts out its front office and coaching targets. However that process unfolds, Tannenbaum and Spielman will play an important role along the way.
I guess they both know what not to look for in a GM
Both had their faults, but both were also held in high regard at one time. Spielman helped Washington land Peters, so maybe they’re better at identifying people who could do it successfully than doing it themselves. Kind of like most coaches who can’t actually play at a high level.
I think Spielman is a great person to bring in for this process. He helped DC last offseason in what appears to have been a solid search, and he worked for the Vikings, who could teach the Jets a lot about how to run an organization overall (their NFLPA report cards are consistently among the best across the board).
As for Tannenbaum… I’m less sure.
Insert ‘Clown World’ emoji here.
Marvin Lewis would be a good head coach. Not spectacular, not flashy, competent and steady. He’s rested up and ready to jump back in.
I think the 33rd team use to go by another name…Woody is the one in the middle link to images.fanpop.com
The question is who actually wants to join this circus? It’s going to have to have to be re-treads who may not get second looks elsewhere. Maybe Stefanski if he’s fired. Maybe Kingsbury. I don’t think Vrabel would be desperate enough.
Likely will be an underwhelming choice, and Woody has no one to blame but himself.
retreads*