Todd Bowles is in the metro New York area, and the Jets want to keep it that way.
The Jets are close to finalizing an agreement that would make Bowles their next head coach, according to NFL.com. Bowles, who has been the Cardinals' defensive coordinator since 2012, would replace Rex Ryan, who was fired last month.
The #Jets are hiring Todd Bowles, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2015MORE: NFL coaches who were players | Jets hire Maccagnan | Ryan no closer to Belichick in Buffalo
ESPN's Josina Anderson reported Tuesday night that Bowles told her he was accepting the Jets' offer:
I just got a text from Todd Bowles, "Im taking the Jets job."
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 14, 2015Bowles was spotted having dinner Tuesday with Jets owner Woody Johnson and new general manager Mike Maccagnan, who was hired earlier in the day.
Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer previously reported via Twitter that the Jets canceled Wednesday’s scheduled interview with Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, another of their head coaching candidates.
#Jets have canceled their Wed. interview w/ #Panthers DC Sean McDermott, per a league source. Sounds like they have their guy.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 14, 2015Bowles, a New Jersey native, served as the Jets' defensive backs coach in 2000. He also was the Dolphins' interim head coach for the final three games in 2011 after Tony Sparano was fired. Miami was 2-1 under Bowles.
The 41-year-old Bowles played eight seasons in the NFL (1986-93) as a defensive back with the Redskins and 49ers. Between his stints with the Jets and Cardinals, he was the DBs coach with the Browns from 2001 to 2004, the Cowboys from 2005 to 2007, the Dolphins from 2008 to 2011 and the Eagles in 2012.
Rapoport also reported that Bowles is expected to name longtime NFL coach Chan Gailey as his offensive coordinator. Gailey was most recently the Bills' head coach in 2012.
Reports on Monday said the Jets wanted Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to be their head coach. Quinn reportedly is focused on the Falcons' vacant job now. The Associated Press reported that Bowles was scheduled to have a second interview with the Falcons on Wednesday, but canceled that meeting Tuesday night.
Contributing: Tom Gatto