It is too bad for Jeff Reinebold that absentee ballots are not allowed in choosing the next University of Hawai'i defensive coordinator for football.

Reinebold, UH's defensive line coach, and Greg McMackin are considered to be the finalists to succeed Jerry Glanville, who resigned to become Portland State's head coach.

Yesterday, Rob Ryan, defensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders, strongly endorsed Reinebold's candidacy.

"Jeff is a hell of a football coach," said Ryan, who is spending part of this working vacation as a consultant for the Warriors.

Ryan first met Reinebold several years ago, when Reinebold was a head coach in the Canadian Football League.

"I've kept in touch ever since," Ryan said. "I've learned a lot of football from Jeff."

Last month the Raiders invited Reinebold to interview for the job as special teams coordinator.

"We tried to get Jeff hired in Oakland," Ryan said. "We wanted him. He had the job. He just didn't have the heart to leave Hawai'i. He just couldn't leave Hawai'i. I understand that."

Ryan, who has been the Raiders' defensive coordinator for four seasons, said he is enjoying a much-needed break before resuming preparation for next month's National Football League draft. His wife and children have been in Hawai'i since last week. He arrived Friday afternoon.

"My wife is unbelievable," Ryan said. "Coaches' wives are like single parents. They've got to do everything. We're never home, and when we are home, we're grumpy and tired and lazy. Of course, I'm saying what I am. I'm not speaking for all of the coaches, but I assume they're like me — tired, grumpy and lazy. And hungry. That pretty much covers it all."

Ryan has football in his DNA. His father is Buddy Ryan, the architect of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears' 46 defense. Buddy Ryan also was head coach in Philadelphia and Arizona.

Rob Ryan's twin brother, Rex, is the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator. In all, the Ryans have been part of six Super Bowl teams.

As an assistant coach with the New England Patriots in 2001, Ryan watched his brother coach the Ravens in the Super Bowl.

"Watching him take the field was emotional," Ryan said. "That was wild. To think I was on a team that was 5-11, oh, my gosh, we were so far from this it was a joke. But the very next year, to win my own Super Bowl (with the Patriots), that was amazing. It's a great experience to win a Super Bowl. There's nothing like having the confetti come down, and having your wife and kids there. It's awesome."

The Raiders were ranked third defensively in the NFL, remarkable for a team with a woeful offense.

"We're getting it together," Ryan said. "We've got some great kids on offense, too."

Ryan said he is familiar with several former Warriors eligible for the NFL draft.

"I like the defensive end (Ikaika Alama-Francis)," Ryan said. "I really like the offensive lineman (Samson Satele). I call him 'Bad Ass.' The free safety (Leonard Peters) is pretty good, too."

Ryan said he wished the NFL used college football's method of stocking rosters.

"If you could recruit (in the NFL), I'd come over here all of the time to recruit," Ryan said. "But it doesn't work that way. You have to wait to see who's available."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.