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Jets’ Assistant Coach Shows Head Coach Promise

New York Jets defensive coordinator is earning a lot of attention as a future head coach.
Jeff Ulbrich, New York Jets defensive coordinator

The 2023 season was easily one of the most frustrating in franchise history. Aaron Rodgers’ injury and a depleted offense. The injured quarterback making headlines for conspiracy theories and Jimmy Kimmel feuds rather than helping the roster. Two last-second touchdown attempts away from a winning record. Now, with Rodgers healthy the team will look to make a playoff push for the first time in 13 years. The Jets will need to return to the playoffs this year because time is not this roster’s friend. Specifically the coaching staff. Robert Saleh is the head coach, but arguably the most important coach on the roster is defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Ulbrich has been a name to watch in coaching circles after the Jets’ defensive turnaround started. While Saleh deserves a lot of credit, Ulbrich is just as vital to the team’s success.

Jets’ Assistant Coach Shows Head Coach Promise

When Robert Saleh came to New York in 2021, fans were elated at what he could bring to this defense. Arguably one of the best defensive coordinators at the time, the idea of him running a defense similar to what he did in San Francisco was exciting. Thus, he brought along an old friend to help achieve this. Enter Jeff Ulbrich.

Jeff Ulbrich’s history

At the time, Ulbrich ended 2020 as the interim defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. He spent the previous four seasons as the team’s linebacker coach. He began the year being promoted to assistant head coach by Dan Quinn. Ulbrich knew Quinn back in Seattle when the latter was Pete Carroll’s defensive coordinator. Ulbrich was the assistant special teams coach with Robert Saleh on the staff as well. At the time, Ulbrich transitioned to coaching after playing 10 seasons in San Francisco for the 49ers. While playing, Ulbrich’s leadership abilities became apparent to his fellow linebackers. Veteran leadership from both Ulbrich and Spikes helped Patrick Willis emerge as a franchise-caliber linebacker. In addition, Ulbrich spent time at UCLA working under Jim L. Mora. Under the mentoring of Mora, Ulbrich made an immediate impact on the Bruins’ defense. He played a large role in the development of Antony Barr.

How Ulbrich impacted the Jets

The initial season in New York was an uneventful one for both Saleh and the Jets. The team finished in the bottom category of most statistics and ended the season with a 4-13 record. However, the pieces were already coming together for the Jets defense. Once Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson arrived, the veterans could feel the energy shift. The front seven continually tested Ulbrich, as his trademark passion and intensity were on display to guide this defense. Through repetition and discipline, the defense took a turn for the better. With an energetic group of talent and Ulbrich’s mentality, the team finished within the top ten of Defense-adjusted value over average. (sixth in DVOA in 2022 and third in 2023) While Robert Saleh deserves a lot of credit, it’s his willingness to trust Ulbrich with the defense that allowed this group to shine.

Jeff Ulbrich can be a great head coach

This season is going to be very important for New York. Fans have been growing critical of the Douglas/Saleh regime after last year. While the team had improved their win total by double in each of the first two seasons (4-13 in 2021 to 7-10 in 2022 and 2023), they desire to see the Jets as contenders. The Aaron Rodgers trade made the process that much more difficult due to his age, off-the-field antics, and now recovering from a torn Achilles. Should New York fail to make the playoffs, this will likely mean the end of this regime.

But, that doesn’t mean it has to be the end of Jeff Ulbrich. He’s going to have his choice of jobs if the defense can remain this caliber. With Buffalo already questioning McDermott’s long-term future and the Patriots beginning a new era, the Jets going into a rebuild so soon would be underwhelming. The players love and respect Jeff Ulbrich. He’s shown his abilities as a leader defensively and his win in the Senior Bowl shows he’s capable of connecting with young players. Along with his connections to Kyle Shanahan, allowing Ulbrich to stay with an offensive mind could help New York in 2025. Even if Aaron Rodgers retires, Ulbrich still has pieces on this offense in Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and a reliable veteran like Tyler Conklin. New York can still make an impact in 2025 if Ulbrich can run the show.

Main Photo: [Crhis Pedota/NorthJersey.com] – USA Today Sports

Michael Zimmelman

Michael Zimmelman

Michael is an NFL editor & writer covering the New York Jets. His articles strive to provide fans with a unique and engaged perspective highlighting the organization as a whole. From player analysis, transactions, coaching retrospectives and more.

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