National Football League

Ryan adds two more Jets hires

Published Feb. 8, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan has filled out his coaching staff by hiring Brian VanGorder as linebackers coach and Bobby April III as a defensive quality-control coach.

VanGorder replaces longtime assistant Bob Sutton, who left to become Kansas City's defensive coordinator. VanGorder was Auburn's defensive coordinator last season after spending the previous four seasons in the same role with the Atlanta Falcons.

April, the son of Oakland special teams coordinator Bobby April, spent the past two seasons as a defensive quality control coach for Philadelphia.

Ryan has eight new coaches on his staff, the most since becoming head coach in 2009. Among the new hires this offseason was offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, along with the promotions of Dennis Thurman to defensive coordinator and Ben Kotwica to special teams coordinator.