NFL

Jets changes: Sparano out on offense, Thurman in on defense

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The Jets sideline is getting a major makeover.

Head coach Rex Ryan is back, but the team will have three new coordinators. Offensive coordinator Tony Sparano was fired Monday night, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and the team have decided to part ways and special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff retired at the end of the season.

Secondary coach Dennis Thurman will be the new defensive coordinator, according to a source. Ryan announced assistant special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica will take over for Westhoff.

Ryan was careful not to say anything critical of Sparano, who lasted just one year with the Jets. Under Sparano’s watch, the offense finished ranked 30th in the NFL, quarterback Mark Sanchez regressed and the Tim Tebow experiment failed miserably. All of that made the firing seem inevitable.

“I wanted to move this team in a different direction offensively,” Ryan said. “[I’m] not saying Tony didn’t do a good job because he did a tremendous job and he’s a tremendous coach.”

Norv Turner and Cam Cameron are the early favorites for the job. A league source said Turner will be nearly impossible for the Jets to get because of their unstable quarterback situation and because Ryan has no long-term security.

Ryan made it clear he wants an “attacking” offense and wants to get away from the “Ground and Pound” philosophy he’s preached since taking the job.

“I want to be more of an attack-style team whether it’s running the ‘pistol’, whether it’s running different types of offenses,” Ryan said. “That’s what I’m looking to do. As hard as we are to attack on defense, I want to be the same way on offense. I think that’s what, obviously, we’re looking for. That’s what I’m looking for. I can’t wait to get that process started.”

Pettine interviewed with the Bills yesterday and is expected to land a defensive coordinator job somewhere. Sources said the relationship between Ryan and Pettine deteriorated over the past year as Ryan took play-calling duties back from Pettine. Ryan also suspected Pettine was leaking stories to the press.

Ryan brought Pettine with him from the Ravens, where he had been the outside linebackers coach. Pettine turned down a contract extension last summer from the Jets, wanting to break away from Ryan to prove he can run his own defense.

“Mike thinks it’s best that he go to a different team as a defensive coordinator,” Ryan said. “I wish him all the best unless he goes to Buffalo. I love Mike and I respect him.”

Thurman did an outstanding job in 2012 with a secondary that missed star Darrelle Revis for most of the season. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie and safety LaRon Landry both made the Pro Bowl on his watch.

Kotwica served as Westhoff’s assistant for four seasons after two years as a quality control coach.