Tag: Jeff Ulbrich

49ers DC search quickly going sideways as other teams make hires

This could be a mess…

Finding a new defensive coordinator became the first offseason box the San Francisco 49ers needed to check once they parted ways with former DC Nick Sorensen.

While they acted quickly in interviewing former New York Jets head coach and 49ers DC Robert Saleh, and Detroit Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, their search appears to have stalled. Now they’re running out of options.

Saleh is the frontrunner for the job and the 49ers appear to be waiting for him to finish his spin through the head coaching interview cycle.

The problem is he already interviewed once for the head job with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and now he’s one of three people receiving a second interview with them per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will also have second interviews with the Jaguars.

Had the 49ers not been able to land Saleh, former Jets DC Jeff Ulbrich was another popular name in San Francisco’s DC search. They never interviewed him and he landed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen was another name reported to be on the 49ers’ short list, and now he’s the frontrunner to become the next DC of the Chicago Bears under new head coach Ben Johnson according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Even a coach like former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was not reported to be on the 49ers’ list of preferred candidates, is now on track to be hired by the Indianapolis Colts per Rapoport.

Perhaps the 49ers really like Townsend, a former NFL defensive back with 11 years of NFL experience as primarily a defensive backs coach. However, his lack of experience as a defensive coordinator may be disqualifying given some of the growing pains Sorensen had in his first year as a DC.

49ers assistant head coach Brandon Staley is an internal candidate (and the only one, it appears).

Beyond that this may be the second consecutive offseason where the 49ers are trying to quickly patch up a massive hole in their coaching roster. If Saleh doesn’t get a head coaching job, they should be okay. If he does, they may be left empty handed and settling for someone incapable of getting their defense back to the level it needs to be for the 49ers to win a Super Bowl.

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What makes the Falcons bringing back Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator so unique

It’s funny how things work out.

Like in an old noir movie, the Atlanta Falcons once again looked to the past to find their future.

For the second straight offseason, the franchise brought back a coach from its 2020 interim staff in the same role they had before they left.

In January 2024, Raheem Morris took over as the Falcons’ permanent head coach after earning an interim coaching role after Dan Quinn’s October 2020 firing.

In January 2025, former New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was hired as the team’s defensive coordinator after working in that same role in an interim capacity with Morris after Quinn’s firing.

It’s a really fascinating turn of events that, after the Falcons had a chance to hire both Morris and Ulbrich after their solid showings as interim coaches in 2020, the franchise did just that all these years later.

The Falcons having a good defense comes around as often as a snowstorm on a leap year. The Falcons having a good pass-rushing group comes around as often as Halley’s Comet. Ulbrich will be tasked to make both regular happenings in Atlanta. It is as tall a task as anyone has in the NFL lately.

Ulbrich coached linebackers in Atlanta from 2015-20, and he was part of the coaching staff that got Atlanta to Super Bowl 51 (where things started well and … didn’t end well). He’s another example of the franchise prioritizing familiarity over the unknown, which can be comforting and limiting in equal measure. Perhaps he’s the right guy for the moment; perhaps he’s another retread hire that should’ve been made four years ago. It’ll be on him to make do with what he has and prove the best-case scenario right.

Atlanta isn’t bereft of defensive talent. The team has two of the best secondary players in the NFL with safety Jessie Bates III and cornerback A.J. Terrell. The team also has a star linebacker in Kaden Elliss, a stalwart veteran defensive tackle in Grady Jarrett and emerging young players like outside linebacker Arnold Ebkietie and defensive end Zach Harrison.

However, Atlanta needs more defensive talent in both phases of the offseason and to better develop young players on the roster like defensive tackles Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, outside linebacker Bralen Trice and cornerback Clark Phillips III. Again, Ulbrich will have plenty to do in his first year back in Flowery Branch.

Indeed, defensive coordinator hires are ultimately only as good as the players given to them to scheme for, so it’ll be imperative for Ulbrich and company to assemble an Atlanta defense that hearkens closely to what the former Jets coach had in New York (if that’s even possible).

At the least, it’s fascinating for Atlanta how all roads lately have led right back to one of the worst seasons in franchise history. Perhaps Morris and Ulbrich will find much more success a second time out together than they had while valiantly trying to save an already lost Falcons season in 2020.

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Falcons tab Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator

Jeff Ulbrich leaves Jets to take Falcons defensive coordinator job

Jeff Ulbrich won’t be going from interim head coach of the New York Jets to head coach. Good for him.

The Jets have interviewed a myriad of candidates for their head coaching job. Ulbrich interviewed but won’t be at MetLife nexr season.

That’s because he was named defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday.

Ulbrich was 3-9 in the interim role with the Jets, taking over after Robert Saleh was fired.

Moving on might seem like a step back but given the history of the Jets, a fresh start is the best thing for Ulbrich.

It is a return to Atlanta for Ulbrich. He was the Falcons’ linebackers coach there from 2015-20, then interim defensive coordinator in 2020 after Dan Quinn was fired as head coach and current Falcons coach Raheem Morris was the interim coach.

49ers miss out on one potential defensive coordinator candidate

We can rule out Jeff Ulbrich for the 49ers’ DC job.

The San Francisco 49ers’ list of potential defensive coordinator candidates appears to be short, and it got shorter Saturday when NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported the Atlanta Falcons were set to hire Jeff Ulbrich as their new defensive coordinator.

Ulbrich has been a popular name in the 49ers’ defensive coordinator conversation because of the success he had running the New York Jets defense under then-head coach Robert Saleh. He was also the Jets’ interim head coach after Saleh was fired.

Saleh is the other name atop the 49ers’ list. He is one of the two interviews they’ve completed. Detroit Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend is the other they’ve announced. Assistant head coach Brandon Staley is also expected to get an interview. Former Saints DC and head coach Dennis Allen is another name to watch per ESPN.

The Falcons hiring Ulbrich isn’t a huge issue since the team seems to have zeroed in on Saleh. However, Saleh has three head coach interviews and there’s a real chance the 49ers miss out on a chance to bring him in because he landed one of those jobs.

This could become a significant problem for San Francisco. They’re aiming for experience and continuity at the DC position and the net they’re casting has been exceedingly narrow. If they continue taking their time waiting on Saleh, they could wind up scrambling to just hire a new coach before new coaching staffs starting getting built out. That puts them in a very precarious position at perhaps the most important position on their coaching staff in the offseason.

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ESPN offers intriguing name for 49ers in defensive coordinator search

The 49ers can’t leave their list of DC searches short.

The San Francisco 49ers appear to have their sites set on former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their No. 1 option in their search for a new defensive coordinator.

However, with Saleh interviewing for head coaching jobs, the 49ers can’t bank on landing him. San Francisco did interview Detroit Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, but it seems unlikely they’d want to hire a person with no previous defensive coordinator experience.

Former 49ers linebacker and New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is another name that has been floated after San Francisco tried to poach him from New York last offseason.

The two former Jets coaches have gotten plenty of run in the 49ers DC rumor mill, but ESPN’s Nick Wagoner highlighted another name that fits the veteran DC mold San Francisco desires.

Via ESPN:

While Saleh and Ulbrich are considered top candidates, another name worth keeping a close eye on is former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen. Allen has extensive experience, working eight years as a defensive coordinator in Denver and New Orleans, almost six seasons as a head coach with the Saints and Raiders and another year as the Saints senior defensive assistant.

Allen’s name may not carry the same heft as Ulbrich, Saleh, particularly in the Bay Area where he flamed out as the Oakland Raiders head coach. He went just 8-28 in 36 games guiding the Raiders from 2012-14. His coaching record was better, but still not spectacular as the head coach in New Orleans. The Saints went 18-25 with Allen at the helm.

What is important is his tenure as the Saints DC the seven years before being hired as their head coach.

Those New Orleans defenses were dreadful in Allen’s first two years as their coordinator, but they improved in both points and yards allowed virtually every year he was running that unit. By Allen’s penultimate season as their DC, the Saints finished No. 4 in yards allowed and No. 5 in points allowed. The following year they were No. 7 in yards and No. 4 in points.

This isn’t to say Allen should necessarily be the 49ers’ choice ahead of Saleh or Ulbrich. It is worth having as many experienced DCs on the short list as possible, and Allen’s years running a defense combined with his 4-3 base defensive scheme make him a logical fit in San Francisco even if he isn’t atop their list of preferred candidates.

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3 keys to a Jets victory in Week 10 against the Cardinals

3 keys to a Jets victory in Week 10 against the Cardinals

The New York Jets will hope to add a win to their record in 2024 in Week 10 on the road when they face the Arizona Cardinals.

As usual, it will never be a walk in the park in the NFL. If the Jets (3-6) expect to beat the Cardinals (5-4), there will be a few key things New York will have to focus on against Arizona.

Here are three keys to the Jets pulling out a victory against the Cardinals:

Stop The Run

(USAT)

While The Jets were victorious in Week 9 over Houston, their run defense continues to struggle as the Texans rushed for close to 200 yards on the ground. Arizona has an underrated running back in James Conner, who already has four games with over 100 yards rushing, and is averaging over 4.5 yards a carry.

The Jets defense has given up an average of 132.6 yards on the ground this season and it could be a long afternoon if they don’t find a way to shut down Conner and the Cardinals running game.

Contain Kyler Murray

(Imagn)

Murray has been average at best this season, but that doesn’t mean he won’t make an impact when given the opportunity.

The Jets defense has a tendency to over pursue on the pass rush, which could free up plenty of field for the Arizona QB to hurt them with his legs. New York’s linebackers will need to be more disciplined, especially along the sidelines, and force Murray into more passing situation, where he’s been very inconsistent.

Play Four Quarters of Football

(Getty)

It felt like more of the same with the Jets during the first half of last week’s win over Houston.

They struggled on offense, relied too much on their defense to keep the game from getting out of hand and when they finally got some points on the board, another self-inflicted wound negated the touchdown after receiver Malachi Corley dropped the ball before crossing the goal line.

The Jets offense woke up in the second half, scoring three times to beat the Texans and keep their season alive. New York has zero margin for error the rest of the way and they cannot afford to have another slow start on offense.  Arizona’s defense has struggled this season, allowing an average of 361.4 yards of total offense, including an average of 228.6 yards through the air.  This is a winnable game for the New York if they play complete football on both sides of the ball for both halves instead of just one.

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3 keys to a Jets victory vs. the Cardinals in Week 10

3 keys to a Jets victory vs. the Cardinals in Week 10:

The New York Jets will hope to add a win to their record in 2024 in Week 10. The team will face the Arizona Cardinals on the road.

As usual, it will never be a walk in the park in the NFL. If the Jets (3-6) expect to beat the Cards (5-4), there will be a few key things New York will have to focus on against Arizona.

It will have to be a full-team effort, make no mistake. But these factors could weigh heavy on whether or not New York leave with a win or loss.

Here are three keys to the Jets pulling out a victory against the Cardinals:

Contain Kyler

(Imagn)

The Cardinals have plenty of threats on offense such as running back James Conner and rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. However, the dual-threat that Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray is always the real concern when facing the Cards. The Jets defense has to contain him.

Start fast and clean

(Imagn)

A problem the Jets have had in recent weeks is starting a game slow and penalties are a big reason why that has happened. Many will point toward interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as the person who has to put his best foot forward to make sure everything goes according to plan in this area.

Give Aaron time

(USAT)

As we’ve seen time and time again, when the Jets’ offensive line gives quarterback Aaron Rodgers time to get the ball out, New York sees successes. Keep Rodgers upright, especially considering the Cardinals just tried to add to their pass rush (Baron Browning) at the 2024 NFL trade deadline.

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What Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich said about Mike Williams trade

What Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich said about Mike Williams trade

The New York Jets decided to ship out Mike Williams at the 2024 NFL trade deadline.

The Jets (3-6) dealt Williams to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It deal fetched New York a fifth-round draft pick at next year’s draft.

As for why the deal happened, head coach Jeff Ulbrich didn’t say much about it. He said both the team and player likely played a role in why things didn’t work out in New York but that’s it.

“For a lot of different reasons,” Ulbrich said.

On the flip side, general manager Joe Douglas was more direct. The GM noted Williams coming off an ACL injury in 2023 put him behind the eight ball and the acquisition of receiver Davante Adams.

Ulbrich’s full analysis of the deal can be found in the clip below:

Jets WR Davante Adams has to dust the Cardinals in the desert

Jets WR Davante Adams has to dust the Cardinals in the desert

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams needs a repeat performance from week nine if his team is going to beat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10. Adams will have opportunities to win versus man coverage and must be a serviceable target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to target on the outside.

Adams tallied seven receptions, 91 yards, and a touchdown in a win versus the Houston Texans last Thursday night. With a time of possession total of just 26:18, the Jets yielded three passing touchdowns and Rodgers only failed on 10 of his 32 pass attempts.

 

However, five punts were the result of stalled drives and a third-down conversion rate of just 41 percent. Adams and the Jets offense can’t get caught up in the same lack of execution versus the Cardinals (5-4). Instead, the Jets (3-6) must neutralize the blitz by opting for the quick pass, and this means using three-step drops where Rodgers has struggled this season.

If the Jets are going to win, Adams or teammate Garrett Wilson will need to keep the offense ahead of the chains. A reliance on the Jets wide receivers to win at the line of scrimmage and produce yards after the catch will be pivotal.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCCHtJyp5m3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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WATCH: Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich locker room speech post-Texans win

WATCH: Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich locker room speech post-Texans win

New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich made his post-win locker room speech in Week 9 all about his team.

Then in due course, following the 21-13 victory, attention was turned to the head coach by team owner Woody Johnson.

After Ulbrich broke it down to his players, as he discussed the “outside noise” before the game, Johnson awarded Ulbrich with the game ball.

After all, it was the first win of Ulbrich’s brief head coaching career.

Check out the special moment in the clip below: