ESPN Analyst and Former NFL Coach Rex Ryan Turns Himself in After Alleged Hit-and-Run in Nashville

Former NFL head coach and ESPN football analyst Rex Ryan turned himself in to Nashville authorities after being accused of striking two pedestrians with his pickup truck.

Ryan, 63, surrendered to police on Wednesday morning in connection with the incident in downtown Nashville on Nov. 5.

According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, two pedestrians were crossing Broadway near 4th Avenue with the pedestrian signal in their favor, when a truck turned into their path.

Investigators said the vehicle ran over the feet of both individuals and also made contact with one pedestrian’s leg.

According to the police account, the truck continued down the street before stopping at another traffic signal. The pedestrians approached the vehicle and confronted the driver, who police say exited the truck and engaged in an argument with them before getting back inside and driving away.

The individuals photographed the driver and recorded the vehicle’s license plate, providing information that helped authorities identify the registered owner.

Ryan faces six misdemeanor charges, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of failing to provide information or render aid, and two counts of failing to obey a traffic control signal.

Bond for Ryan was set at $6,000. He was subsequently released under non-financial pre-trial conditions and is expected to appear in court next month.

Ryan became a recognizable figure in the NFL during his tenure as head coach of the New York Jets, where he led the franchise to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances following the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

He later coached the Buffalo Bills from 2015 through 2016 before transitioning into sports broadcasting, where he became a familiar face on ESPN.

Ryan frequently appeared on NFL programming, where he offered commentary on teams, players, and developments throughout the league.

In a statement on Nov. 11, ESPN acknowledged the situation and said the company is “aware, and in touch with Rex.” The network did not immediately announce any changes to his broadcasting responsibilities.

Ryan was head coach during a high-profile incident involving former New York Jets quarterback and former Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez, who was the Jets’ starter from 2009 to 2012.

Sanchez faced one felony battery and three misdemeanor charges following an Oct. 2025 altercation with a truck driver in Indianapolis.

He suffered multiple stab wounds to his upper right torso during the incident with a 69-year-old truck driver in an alley. Sanchez was in town at the time to call the Las Vegas Raiders game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Sanchez was subsequently arrested and charged with battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication. He was terminated from his Fox Sports position in November 2025.

Sanchez filed a motion to enter a guilty plea in September 2026, although the specific charges covered by the proposed plea have not been disclosed. His change-of-plea and sentencing hearing, initially scheduled for Nov. 9, has since been postponed to Jan. 25 of next year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.