Dennis Thurman will be rejoining Rex Ryan with the Buffalo Bills. Thurman, who was the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets for the last two seasons, will take that same position with the Bills.
Ryan has wasted no time in filling out his staff, hiring seven more assistant coaches Thursday as well. Bobby April III will coach the linebackers, Karl Dunbar the defensive line, Tim McDonald the defensive backs, Tony Sparano Jr. the tight ends, Jeff Weeks the defensive line, Eric Smith will coach special teams and Jason Oszvart will be the strength and conditioning coach.
All these hiring come two days after Greg Roman was named the Bills’ offensive coordinator.
Thurman has been a member of Ryan’s staff since 2009, originally serving as defensive backs coach from 2009-12. Thurman played safety for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978-85, retiring after a single season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1986. He has been a defensive coach in the NFL and NCAA since 1988, beginning with the Cardinals, then with USC before joining Ryan with the Baltimore Ravens in 2002.
Thurman inherits a talented unit left by departed defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Schwartz, in just a season, turned the Bills defense into one of the most formidable units in the league. Schwartz ran a 4-3 and Thurman will have to adapt Schwartz’s personnel to fit the hybrid 3-4 scheme he and Ryan prefer.
