Ryan Slowik returns to the Jets as the team's safeties coach, rejoining the organization after serving as the assistant defensive line coach in 2015. A veteran with nearly 20 years of NFL coaching experience, Slowik has coached defensive backs, linebackers, and the defensive line in the league.

Slowik spent the previous four seasons in Miami (2022-25), joining the staff as a senior defensive assistant (2022), then as outside linebackers coach (2023), and finally defensive backs/pass game specialist (2024-25). He helped guide the Dolphins to consecutive postseason appearances in his first two years with the team (2022-23), their first back-to-back playoff trips in 20 years.

In his most recent role, Slowik worked closely with Defensive Coordinator Brian Duker, then the Dolphins pass game coordinator, helping a unit that finished fourth in total defense (2024), and allowed the sixth-lowest third-down conversion rate. The pass defense limited opposing quarterbacks to a 63.8% completion percentage and an 88.7 passer rating, both top-10 marks in the league.

In his lone season working with the outside linebackers in Miami (2023), Slowik contributed to the 10th ranked defense in the league, limiting opponents to just 318.3 yards per game, at the time, the team's lowest mark in over 10 years. The Dolphins defense set a new franchise record with 56.0 sacks, the third-most in the league, as linebacker Bradley Chubb accounted for 11.0, and added a league-high six forced fumbles.

He spent one season with the Cleveland Browns (2016) coaching outside linebackers, overlapping with Demario Davis. Under Slowik's guidance, three players from his position group, including Christian Kirksey, Davis, and Jamie Collins, led the team in tackles. Kirksey posted a career-high 143 tackles, the fifth-most in the NFL that season.

Part of a 10-win season in his first stint with the Jets (2015), Slowik was the assistant defensive line coach, as the team ranked second in rushing defense (83.4) and third in yards per carry allowed (3.6). That season, defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson earned his only Pro Bowl nod after he led the team with a career-high 12.0 sacks.

Before the Jets, Slowik spent six seasons with Arizona (2009-14), helping the team clinch three postseason berths. He originally started with the club as a defensive quality control coach (2009-11), before being elevated to outside linebackers (2012), and then defensive assistant/defensive backs (2013-14). Between 2012-14, the Cardinals defense recorded 82 takeaways and limited opponents to a 35.3% conversion rate on third down, both the fifth-best in the NFL over that span.

Slowik got his first NFL coaching job with the Denver Broncos (2005-08), where he served as a defensive assistant (2005-06), assistant special teams (2007), and assistant defensive backs (2008). In his first season, Denver won 13 games and advanced to the AFC Championship game, limiting opponents to just 16.1 points per game, a top-three mark in the league.

Starting in coaching at his alma mater, Wisconsin-Oshkosh (2004), Slowik served as the assistant secondary coach. Before that, he spent one season with the Green Bay Packers as a personnel intern (2003).

Slowik earned his bachelor's degree from Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he played safety for three seasons (2001-03). He also played two seasons at Youngstown State (1999-00).

Part of a football family, Slowik's father Bob is a former NFL defensive coordinator spanning four teams – Chicago (1993-98), Cleveland (1999), Green Bay (2004), and Denver (2007-08). His brother, Bobby, is the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, where the two served on staff together last season (2025).

A Gainesville, FL native, Slowik and his wife, Valerie, have a son, Tye, and a daughter, Averie.

FLIGHT PATH

New York Jets 2015, 2026-Present

Safeties 2026-Present

Assistant Defensive Line 2015

Miami Dolphins 2022-2025

Defensive Backs/Passing Game Specialist 2024-25

Outside Linebackers 2023

Senior Defensive Assistant  2022

University of Northern Colorado 2021

Consultant 2021

University of Tennessee 2017

Analyst 2017

Cleveland Browns 2016

Outside Linebackers 2016

Arizona Cardinals 2009-14

Defensive Assistant/Defensive Backs 2013-14

Outside Linebackers 2012

Defensive Quality Control 2009-11

Denver Broncos 2005-08

Assistant Defensive Backs 2008

Assistant Special Teams 2007

Defensive Assistant 2005-06

Wisconsin-Oshkosh  2004

Assistant Secondary 2004

Green Bay Packers 2003

Personnel Intern 2003