Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan has returned to the New York Jets spotlight through his eldest son, Seth Ryan, who joined the franchise as passing game coordinator in February 2026. The appointment marked a significant moment for the Ryan family, making Seth the third generation to coach for the Jets after his father Rex and grandfather Buddy Ryan. While Rex continues working as an ESPN football analyst, his son’s growing coaching career has brought renewed attention to his family and children.
Rex Ryan and his longtime wife, Michelle Ryan, have two sons, Seth Ryan and Payton Ryan. Both grew up surrounded by professional football, although they have followed different paths as adults. Seth has established a career in NFL coaching, while Payton has maintained a much more private life. Their upbringing reflects a family with deep connections to American football, stretching across several generations.
How Many Children Does Rex Ryan Have?
Rex Ryan has two children with his wife, Michelle Ryan. Their sons are named Seth Ryan and Payton Ryan.
The couple met while attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University and married in 1987, before Rex became a nationally recognized NFL coach.
Their children grew up during a period when Rex was developing his coaching career, moving through college football programs and eventually joining the NFL.
Football became a regular part of family life, particularly as Rex established himself with the Baltimore Ravens before becoming head coach of the New York Jets.
Both sons experienced the unusual lifestyle associated with having a father who worked in professional sports. This included attending games, spending time around training facilities, and adjusting to the demands of an NFL coaching schedule.
However, only Seth has pursued a widely documented professional career in football.
Who Is Seth Ryan, Rex Ryan’s Eldest Son?
Seth Ryan is Rex Ryan’s eldest son and a professional football coach currently working as the New York Jets’ passing game coordinator.
He joined the organization in February 2026 under head coach Aaron Glenn, following several seasons with the Detroit Lions.
Seth was 32 years old when he discussed his new position with reporters in June 2026. He grew up in Summit, New Jersey, during his father’s time coaching the Jets.
Unlike his father and grandfather, who became known for their defensive coaching expertise, Seth chose to specialize in offense.
His appointment was particularly meaningful because he had spent much of his childhood around the Jets organization.
During Rex’s tenure as head coach from 2009 to 2014, Seth regularly attended team activities and experienced the excitement surrounding the franchise’s consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances.
Years later, he returned to the same organization as a member of its professional coaching staff.
Seth Ryan’s College Football Career at Clemson
Before entering coaching, Seth Ryan played college football at Clemson University.
He joined the Clemson Tigers as a walk-on wide receiver and spent four seasons with the program under head coach Dabo Swinney.
Although he was primarily a reserve player, Seth contributed on special teams and served as a holder for field goals and extra points.
His college career coincided with one of Clemson’s most successful periods.
The Tigers won Atlantic Coast Conference championships in 2015 and 2016 and reached consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship games.
Seth was part of the Clemson team that defeated Alabama in January 2017 to win the national championship.
The experience gave him firsthand knowledge of a successful college football program and helped prepare him for his future coaching responsibilities.
After completing his playing career, Seth decided to pursue coaching rather than attempt to become an NFL player.
Seth Ryan’s NFL Coaching Career
Seth Ryan began his NFL coaching career with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017.
He initially worked as a coaching intern before becoming an offensive quality control coach in 2019.
During his time with the Chargers, he gained experience studying offensive systems, preparing game plans, and assisting the coaching staff.
In 2021, Seth joined the Detroit Lions as an assistant wide receivers coach.
He spent four seasons in that position, working with a receiving group that included standout player Amon-Ra St. Brown.
During the 2024 season, Detroit developed one of the NFL’s most productive offenses, averaging 32.4 points per game.
Seth moved into the assistant tight ends coach position in 2025 before accepting his new opportunity with the Jets.
His appointment as passing game coordinator in 2026 reunited him with Aaron Glenn, who had previously worked as Detroit’s defensive coordinator.
The move also brought Seth back to the franchise where his father experienced some of his greatest coaching success.
Who Is Rex Ryan’s Younger Son, Payton Ryan?
Payton Ryan is the younger son of Rex and Michelle Ryan.
Unlike his older brother, Payton has largely stayed outside the public spotlight. His professional career, educational background, and personal relationships have not been extensively documented in reliable public reporting.
Although he grew up in a family closely associated with professional football, there is no widely confirmed information indicating that he currently works as an NFL coach.
Payton’s relatively private lifestyle contrasts with the public careers of his father and brother.
Rex has occasionally discussed his family during interviews, but he generally avoids sharing extensive details about Payton’s personal activities.
As a result, most publicly available information about Rex Ryan’s children focuses on Seth’s football career.
Rex Ryan’s Family Has Three Generations of NFL Coaches
The Ryan family has one of the most recognizable coaching histories in professional football.
Rex Ryan’s father, Buddy Ryan, was a respected defensive coach who helped the New York Jets win Super Bowl III.
Buddy later became the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears team that won Super Bowl XX and served as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals.
Rex followed his father’s path, becoming a successful defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens before leading the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship Games.
His twin brother, Rob Ryan, also built a lengthy NFL coaching career.
Seth’s arrival in New York extended that family tradition into a third generation.
However, Seth has taken a different approach by concentrating on offensive football.
During a June 2026 interview, he explained that his family had a tradition of each generation encouraging the next to become a better coach.
His decision to work on offense represents his own contribution to that coaching legacy.
Is Seth Ryan Married?
Seth Ryan is married to his wife, Meg Ryan, according to his official New York Jets coaching biography.
Meg is from New Jersey, which made Seth’s return to the Jets especially meaningful for their family.
During an interview after joining the organization, Seth discussed how much the opportunity meant to him personally.
He explained that he had wanted to work for the Jets for years and was excited to return to the area where he grew up.
Rex was also enthusiastic about his son’s appointment.
Seth recalled that his father reacted with considerable excitement when he learned about the opportunity, particularly because it offered a chance to help the Jets return to postseason contention.
How Rex Ryan’s Children Continue His Family Legacy
Rex Ryan spent nearly three decades coaching football before transitioning into television analysis.
His career included serving as head coach of the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014 and the Buffalo Bills from 2015 to 2016.
Although Rex no longer holds an NFL coaching position, his eldest son has continued the family’s connection to the league.
Seth’s appointment with the Jets represents an important professional achievement and a personal milestone for the Ryan family.
Payton, meanwhile, has chosen to maintain a quieter public profile, with little verified information available about his current activities.
For those searching for Rex Ryan’s children, the former NFL coach has two sons, Seth and Payton, with his wife Michelle. Seth is continuing the family’s football coaching tradition, while Payton remains largely outside public attention.
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