Former National Football League head coach Rex Ryan turned himself in to Nashville police this week following an incident in which he allegedly struck two pedestrians with his vehicle before leaving the scene.
The incident occurred in downtown Nashville when Ryan, driving a pickup truck, allegedly ran over the feet of two pedestrians who were crossing the street with the right of way. The pedestrians were in a marked crosswalk when Ryan’s vehicle struck them while turning at a red light. Both victims sustained minor injuries.
Nashville police confirmed the details Wednesday, the same day the 63-year-old former coach was granted pretrial release. Ryan is scheduled to appear in court next month to face charges related to the incident.
The case represents an unfortunate turn for Ryan, whose coaching career earned him considerable recognition in professional football circles. He led the New York Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, an achievement that established him as one of the league’s more prominent defensive minds. During his six-year tenure with the Jets, Ryan compiled a 46-50 record.
Following his departure from New York, Ryan took the helm of the Buffalo Bills but failed to reach the postseason. He was dismissed after the sixteenth week of his second season in Buffalo, finishing with a 15-16 record with the franchise.
Since 2017, Ryan has worked as an NFL analyst, providing commentary and analysis on professional football. He appeared as recently as this week on a morning sports program broadcast from New York, just days before surrendering to authorities.
The charges stem from what police describe as a hit and run incident in one of Nashville’s busier downtown districts. The pedestrians involved had the legal right of way when the collision occurred. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding Ryan’s departure from the scene or the timeline between the incident and his decision to turn himself in to law enforcement.
The legal proceedings will unfold in the coming weeks as Ryan prepares for his court appearance. The case will determine what penalties, if any, the former coach will face for the alleged traffic violations and for leaving the scene of an accident.
Ryan’s coaching legacy, built primarily on his success with the Jets during the early years of the past decade, now faces scrutiny under considerably different circumstances than those which typically mark the careers of retired professional coaches.
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