Rob Ryan will have to travel out of his way for his next Mardi Gras.
The less famous, more gregarious Ryan twin was fired Monday as defensive coordinator of the 4-6 New Orleans Saints, whose woefully ineffective performances on that side of the ball had become the laughingstock of the league.
The Saints are last in the league in yards (424.7) and points allowed per game (31.5) after getting shellacked 47-14 by the Redskins on Sunday.
Ryan has had a contentious relationship with Saints coach Sean Payton, and the two are often seen quarreling on the sideline after one of the defense’s many miscues.
Earlier in the day, Payton had equivocated — rather deceitfully, it turns out — about the Fox Sports report breaking the news Ryan was getting the heave-ho, insisting the well-traveled coordinator (Raiders, Browns, Cowboys) remained on his staff at that moment.
“I do know this: Continuing along the same course we’re on right now is something we’re not going to do,” Payton told reporters on Monday. “I’m talking about us as players, as a staff collectively. You’ve got to look closely at what’s winning and what’s keeping you from winning.
“With regards to any potential change, we would let you guys know and you’ll be the first to hear about it. That’s something we haven’t even met on. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Rob’s firing comes days after brother Rex earned his biggest victory as head coach in Buffalo, steering the Bills to a revenge win in his return to MetLife Stadium against the Jets on Thursday. At this rate, Rob may need to lean on Rex for his next gig.