Rob Ryan fired: 'I know I did a hell of a job'

If you expected Rob Ryan to lament over the loss of his job as the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, you'll be disappointed. Ryan is confident in his abilities (some would call him overconfident -- or cocky) and believes he won't be out of a job for long.

"I have no sour grapes," Ryan said, according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, "I know I did a hell of a job. I will find another spot."

The Cowboys finished the season at No. 19 in the league in yards allowed per game, and No. 24 in the league in points per game allowed. With an already mistake-prone offense, a defensive collapse near the end of the season, in which they allowed 31-plus points over the final two, playoff-crucial contests, sealed their fate as they missed the playoffs.

Still, Ryan is confident he'll be employed sooner rather than later, despite those numbers. "I'll be out of work for like five minutes," Ryan told ESPN's Tim MacMahon after the news was reported on Tuesday night.

There is already speculation that Ryan could join his brother Rex with the New York Jets, but if he did, he almost certainly would not serve as defensive coordinator, as the organization recently promoted defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman to the position.

Ryan coached linebackers with the New England Patriots from 2000-03, and served as defensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders (2004-08) and Cleveland Browns (2009-10) prior to his stint with the Cowboys.