On January 18 , 2001 , the Jets announced Herman Edwards as the new coach . Edwards , a former defensive back who had worked his way up through the NFL coaching system , had never served as head coach at any level . He was the first African-American Jets head coach . Edwards lost his first game , two days before the September 11 attacks . In the wake of 9/11 , the NFL had to decide whether to play its games the following weekend . Testaverde and the Jets spoke out against playing on the weekend after 9/11 , and the Jets were prepared to forfeit the game rather than fly . The NFL decided to move that week 's games to the end of the regular season . The Jets needed to win that game , in Oakland against the Raiders , to reach the playoffs , and John Hall kicked a last-minute 53-yard field goal for a 24 – 22 victory and a playoff berth . Edwards was the first coach to lead the Jets to the playoffs in his first year with the team . In the playoffs , the Jets again played at Oakland . New York could not stop the Raiders ' passing game , and Oakland won , 38 – 24
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
History of the New York Jets