Buffalo Bills Coach Rex Ryan hires his twin Rob as assistant head coach

Buffalo Bills Coach Rex Ryan has hired his twin Rob Ryan to become a member of his staff.

Rob Ryan will serve as assistant head coach with a specific responsibility for defense, the Bills announced Sunday night. It marks the second time the two have worked together after previously serving as assistants on their father Buddy Ryan’s staff in Arizona in 1994 and ’95.

What’s unclear is where Bills current defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman fits in the team’s hierarchy.

Rob Ryan was available after being fired as the New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator in mid-November. He was dismissed with the Saints defense ranking last in the NFL in yards and points allowed.

The Bills defense struggled in adapting to Rex Ryan’s system in his first season in Buffalo.

Eagles to interview Coughlin

The Philadelphia Eagles will interview Tom Coughlin for their coaching vacancy on Monday, said two people familiar with the team’s plans. Both people spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team isn’t confirming interviews until they’re completed.

Coughlin is a two-time Super Bowl champion who stepped down last week after 12 seasons with the New York Giants. He coached Jacksonville from 1995 to 2002.

The 69-year-old Coughlin is 170-150 in a 20-year career. He had 10 winning seasons, including seven years with double-digit wins, and led his teams to the playoffs nine times, going 12-7. Coughlin’s Giants missed the playoffs the last four seasons after beating New England in the Super Bowl after the 2011 season.

The Eagles interviewed Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson on Sunday morning. Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo also interviewed along with former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who took the job in Miami.

Jackson interviews with 49ers

Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers regarding their head coaching vacancy, a person with direct knowledge of the meeting told the Associated Press.

Largely considered the favorite to be selected as the coach with a potential offer coming soon, Jackson met in length with the 49ers in Cincinnati, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team isn’t announcing its candidates or interviews scheduled or completed.

Jackson, the former Oakland Raiders coach Jackson, also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns for their coaching vacancy, one day after the Bengals lost, 18-16, to Pittsburgh in an AFC wild-card game.

On Saturday, San Francisco interviewed Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter in Tampa, Fla. That’s after the 49ers interviewed fired Eagles coach Chip Kelly on Thursday.

The Browns also met with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott on Sunday.

Maclin’s status uncertain

The Kansas City Chiefs cobbled together an 11-game win streak that included their first playoff triumph in 22 years by using backups, third-stringers and a whole lot of scotch tape. To keep it going, they may have to be resourceful again.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin had an MRI exam on Sunday that showed his right anterior cruciate ligament was intact, but revealed a sprained ankle sustained in the Chiefs’ 30-0 romp in Houston.

While the severity of the ankle injury was unknown, it is unlikely Maclin will be available for Sunday’s divisional game in New England.

“I hate to jump conclusions, or jump ahead. Let me just gather the information,� Chiefs Coach Andy Reid said. “Right now I’m telling you most of his pain is in his ankle, more than his knee.�

The Chiefs initially feared that Maclin had hurt his knee ligament, which he’s twice had surgically repaired. That it was an ankle injury provides some hope he’ll play again in the playoffs.

Extension for Bills GM

The Buffalo Bills are going with stability and continuity after signing General Manager Doug Whaley to a three-year contract extension.

Bills co-owner Kim Pegula made the announcement by posting a note and a picture on her Twitter account. The picture showed Whaley signing a contract and posing alongside Kim’s husband, Terry, and team President Russ Brandon.

The extension was reached after Whaley, Coach Rex Ryan and other team officials spent the weekend holding postseason meetings with the Pegulas at their home in Florida.

Whaley was entering the final year of his contract.