With their head coach in place, the New York Jets are getting closer to lifting off with the ever-important position of offensive coordinator.

If Rex Ryan cannot convince offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to stay with New York, he then plans to hire Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese as Schottenheimer’s replacement. Under that scenario, the Jets’ coaching braintrust would have a lineage of coaching success stories. Buddy Ryan, Rex’s father, was a longtime standout coach, and Ernie Zampese, Ken’s father, was a noted offensive mind.

Though Ryan has his eyes on Zampese, he still would like to retain Schottenheimer. But it’s uncertain whether he can.

Sometime this week, as early as Thursday, Ryan and Schottenheimer are expected to meet and discuss whether the two will work together during the 2009 football season. If they can work out, then the Jets fly on with no issues. If they can’t, then Ryan plans to turn to the 41-year-old Zampese as a replacement.