In what must have sounded like a threat to many Jets fans, Rex Ryan offered his strongest words yet that embattled offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will return in 2012.  Read more after the jump.

@Shay_Marie x @gametimegirl

A day after Schottenheimer said he expects to be back and revealed that he had signed a two-year contract extension over the summer, Ryan said yesterday he agreed with that assessment unless his aide gets a head-coaching job somewhere else.

 

“Yeah, I do,” Ryan said when asked if he thinks Schottenheimer would be retained.

After a pause, the Jets coach added an asterisk.

“I’ll say that, but obviously, if he gets a head-coaching job, then, ‘See you later!’ ’’ Ryan said. “And I’ll be happy to see that. Do I expect him back? It’s probably 50-50 on that, because I think there’s an opportunity for Brian to get a head-coaching job this year. I thought that the first two years [Schottenheimer coached under Ryan], but it wasn’t to be. But he certainly will be a qualified applicant to be a head coach, that’s for sure.”

Asked if Schottenheimer would return if he misses out on a head-coaching job, Ryan minced no words.

“Then I expect him back,” he said.

Schottenheimer has been under heavy fire after overseeing an offense for the 8-7 Jets that has plummeted to 27th in the NFL in total yards heading into Sunday’s potential season-ending matchup with the Dolphins in Miami.

Schottenheimer also has drawn blame for the apparent season-long regression by quarterback Mark Sanchez, whose 79.0 rating ranks just 22nd in the NFL among qualified passers.

A veteran of six years and two coaching staffs with the Jets, Schottenheimer defended himself Thursday while saying he is unconcerned about job speculation.

“It’s out of my control,” he said. “I’m an excellent football coach. Have we been inconsistent this year? Absolutely, I wish I could put my finger on it and say exactly why that was. There are things that, clearly, I could do better and there are things that, clearly, the unit could do better.

“[But] you don’t have time to worry about it. You’re talking to somebody that has been here for six years now. I grew up in a household around a coach [his father, Marty Schottenheimer] that took a lot of heat and got fired at 14-2. You have no control over it, so you just roll with the punches.”

NY PostÂ