Jets coach Rex Ryan delivered an impassioned defense Saturday of defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, who was accused of slapping a woman at a restaurant during the week.
Ryan and Thurman first worked together with the Ravens, and Ryan brought Thurman to New York when he became the Jets coach, first as defensive backs coach before promoting him in 2013.
“I know Dennis Thurman, and Dennis Thurman, the guy that I know, wouldn’t put his hands on anybody, let alone a woman,” Ryan said at a press conference during rookie minicamp. “That’s the Dennis Thurman I know.”
Thurman was accused of slapping a 28-year-old woman at Pazzo Pazzo in Morristown, N.J. Police said on Friday no charges were pressed and they were not investigating the matter any further. The 58-year-old Thurman was on the field Saturday working with the Jets rookies. Coaches can be disciplined under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The league said it will look into the alleged incident.
Ryan said when the facts come out, Thurman will be vindicated.
“I’ve been fortunate to know Dennis Thurman for about 15 years,” Ryan said. “I’ve worked with him a long, long time. I’ll tell you a little bit about the guy I know. He grew up with five sisters. He’s got two beautiful daughters and Dennis Thurman … I trust, I respect, I love Dennis Thurman. It’s an honor to know Dennis. He’s a great person.”
Morristown police said in a statement the woman was approached by Thurman and she alleged that during a conversation Thurman slapped her and he then fled. She called the police after returning home. The allegation was characterized as a simple assault, a non-indictable offense in New Jersey. The victim was referred to the Violations Bureau of the Morristown Municipal Court and advised on how she could pursue a complaint of a disorderly persons offense.
The incident came to light after TMZ.com published an article along with photos of Thurman in a heated conversation with the woman.
Ryan opened up his Saturday news conference with the defense of Thurman.
“I think when all the facts come out about everything, I think people will start to realize that it will come around that the guy I’m describing everybody will see the same way I do,” Ryan said.
Ryan said he did not ask Thurman if he did it.
“I don’t need to ask,” he said.
Ryan also acknowledged he did not witness the alleged incident, but said he knows Thurman did not do it.
“I wasn’t there,” Ryan said. “I don’t know, but I’m confident that when everything comes out that people will start seeing the character of the Dennis Thurman that I know.”
Thurman, a former defensive back for the Cowboys, and Ryan are extremely close.
“I just know Dennis,” Ryan said. “I know Dennis not just on a professional level. I know him on a personal level. I’ve been around Dennis a long, long time and in a lot of different environments, if you will. … I’m confident in the person I know.”