Saints interview Rob Ryan for coordinator role

Former Dallas Cowboys assistant Rob Ryan has interviewed with the New Orleans Saints for their vacant defensive coordinator job. The team said Ryan met

Rob Ryan spent the past two seasons in Dallas as defensive coordinator :: Rob Carr/Getty Images

Former Dallas Cowboys assistant Rob Ryan has interviewed with the New Orleans Saints for their vacant defensive coordinator job.

The team said Ryan met with coach Sean Payton on Friday.

Payton interviewed University of Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on Thursday. But Grantham announced on Friday he had withdrawn from consideration for the job.

Payton fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and announced he wanted to switch to a 3-4 defense two days after returning from a yearlong suspension. The Saints allowed more total yards in a single season than any team in NFL history.

Ryan, the brother of Jets coach Rex Ryan, was let go by the Cowboys after two season working for coach Jason Garrett in Dallas. The Cowboys ranked 19th in the NFL total defense last season.