Jets Coach Backs Defensive Coordinator Accused of Slapping Woman at Bar

No formal complaint has been filed against New York Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman after he allegedly smacked a woman at a Morristown bar last week, and the team’s head coach, Rex Ryan, has backed his lieutenant completely.

Jessie Steinberg, 28, of Morris Township called police around 7:15 p.m. Wednesday night and reported she had been slapped in the face by Thurman while outside at the Pazzo Pazzo bar earlier that day, as originally reported by Patch.

Steinberg told police Thurman had been hitting on her and offering her drinks while both were at the bar late in the afternoon, police said. Steinberg told police Thurman was acting in an aggressive manner toward her and other women at the bar that day.

Then, the alleged victim told police, “out of nowhere, Thurman slapped her across the face,” the police report said. Steinberg told police she was not injured and was concerned for other woman at the bar.

Police officer Michael Alberto, who took the complaint from Steinberg, advised her to stay away from the establishment for a while because Thurman is known to be a regular customer there, the report said.

Steinberg was also told that, because of the nature of the incident, Morristown Police would no longer be investigating the manner and the alleged victim could file a disorderly persons complaint with Morristown Municipal Court if she chose to do so.

As of Monday morning, no complaint had been made, according to the court.

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan spoke to the media after his team’s rookie camp practice Saturday afternoon, vehemently supporting his defensive coordinator.

“Dennis Thurman, the guy I know, wouldn't put his hands on anybody, let alone a woman," Ryan said, according to ESPN. "That's the Dennis Thurman I know."

Ryan and Thurman have worked together for 15 years, the report said, and the head coach also admitted not having asked Thurman about the issue after it was made public late last week.

“I don’t need to ask,” Ryan said, according to ESPN. There is no sign of Thurman being disciplined by the team, the report said.