On Wednesday, Joe Douglas solidified his staff by hiring three veteran NFL executives.
One was Rex Hogan, who will be his right-hand man and confidant. Hogan is actually returning to the Jets after serving a two-year stint under Chris Ballard in Indianapolis. There, he was the Colts’ vice president of player personnel.
As far as Douglas’ staff goes, though, Hogan is one of three new faces that can help the Jets bolster their scouting department. We already took a look at Phil Savage.
For now, let’s get to know Hogan, the Jets’ newest assistant general manager.
Homecoming
Rex Hogan will return to the Jets after serving as the team’s director of college scouting from 2015-16 under Mike Maccagnan.
Hogan left to work on Chris Ballard’s staff in Indianapolis, where he was the VP of player personnel. Hogan helped collaborate with the Jets in the 2018 draft, allowing the Jets to come away with Sam Darnold while the Colts used their draft picks to land two rookie first-team All-Pros in Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard.
In his new role, Hogan will assist Douglas in the daily management of the pro scouting department. The Jets can only hope that this hire will be yet another step in the right direction.
Similar upbringing as Joe Douglas
Like Douglas, Hogan got his start in the college game.
Hogan worked at the college level for both Notre Dame and Utah before transitioning to the NFL. In 2003, Hogan joined the Chicago Bears as an entry-level college scout before being promoted to a national scout in 2012.
The two have never worked together before, but similar football upbringings and goals should allow Hogan and Douglas to mesh in New York.
‘Coveted Personnel Man’
After announcing that Hogan would be joining the Jets front office, ESPN’s Adam Schefter referred to Hogan as a “coveted personnel man.”
Hogan has quickly moved up the ranks as far executives are concerned. Over the past four years, he served as a director of scouting, a VP of player personnel and now an assistant GM. Usually, the next step involves being promoted to a general manager position elsewhere.
Due to Hogan being a high-rising candidate, Douglas and the Jets have to be prepared to lose him sooner than later to yet another promotion.
