Rex Ryan, after two solid seasons as University of Cincinnati football defensive coordinator, has resigned for the same job at Oklahoma.
Ryan, 34-year-old son of former NFL coach Buddy Ryan, said the move is a natural because it takes him home. He and his wife are both Oklahoma natives, and his twin brother Rob is defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.
Rex Ryan was UC defensive coordinator in 1996 and '97. His 1996 unit finished 13th nationally in total defense, and the 1997 defense ranked 38th.
The highlight of '97 was a 34-7 rout of Kansas, in which UC set a school record by holding the Jayhawks to minus-46 yards rushing.
''It's a tremendous loss for us,'' UC coach Rick Minter said. ''We knew it would be very difficult to keep a person of Rex's quality.''
Minter said he has not named a replacement, as Ryan's departure became official Sunday.
UC had records of 6-5 and 7-4 in Ryan's two seasons.
Ryan joins John Blake's staff at Oklahoma. Sooners defensive coordinator Bill Young was fired after a 4-8 season in which OU allowed 32 points per game.
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