Woody’s back in town.
Jets owner Woody Johnson on Wednesday completed his four-year term as Donald Trump’s U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom and flew back to New Jersey on Thursday, the day the Jets introduced Robert Saleh as their new head coach.
“Actually, interestingly, he’s on a plane right now coming back to the States, I think he lands in a few hours,’’ Woody’s younger brother Christopher, the team’s CEO who’s been the acting owner for the past four years, said Thursday. “When he is officially principal owner [again], we aren’t exactly sure — that’s something we have to run through the league — he will be assuming his duties as principal owner quite soon.’’
When that takes place, Woody will become chairman and Christopher will be vice-chairman, though Christopher said he plans to remain highly active with the organization.
“I’m going to be doing an awful lot of the day-to-day stuff,” Christopher said. “All the final decisions will be his. I’ve loved being in this building, for the last four years especially. And I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement here.
“There’s going to be a fair amount of continuity here. My brother and I work really well together. We enjoy each other’s company. We think alike on most things. And when we disagree, we find a good place to settle on. So, I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
One bit of news Christopher Johnson did reveal on Thursday was that he was changing the organizational structure so that Saleh would report to general manager Joe Douglas and Douglas would report to Christopher and Woody.
Previously, both the coach and general manager had equal power within the organization., and that structure has not seemed to work, dating back to when Todd Bowles was hired as coach and Mike Maccagnan as general manager and they clashed with different visions.
Douglas, who was hired in June 2019, said he’s had limited interaction with Woody, but was “excited” for the chance to work with him.
Saleh said he’s never spoken or met Woody, who wasn’t involved in the hiring process, added that his return was “not a concern at all” when he took over the job.
“I haven’t had a conversation with Woody yet,’’ Saleh said. “[I’m] really excited to get the opportunity in the near future.’’