"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.

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.""