Pro Football Rumors
Atlanta has spent this week looking into several candidates for the vacant defensive coordinator position. With the interview process complete, a decision has quickly been made.
Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich is set to receive the Falcons’ DC position, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. An announcement from the team has since confirmed the news. This will represent a return to Atlanta while also confirming that he will not be tapped for New York’s full-time head coaching gig.
Ulbrich started his pro coaching career in Seattle before a three-year stint at UCLA. That time on the West Coast was followed by time on the Falcons’ staff beginning in 2015. He served as the team’s linebackers coach for five years, eventually having assistant head coach added to his title. Midway through the 2020 campaign, Ulbrich was promoted to interim defensive coordinator.
Of course, that development came when Raheem Morris – who worked alongside Ulbrich in that same 2015-20 stretch – took over from Dan Quinn as interim head coach. Morris returned to the Falcons this past offseason to lead the team, and his familiarity with Ulbrich made the latter a strong contender for this hire. Now, Ulbrich will handle coordinator duties for the fifth full season in 2025 after handling the Jets’ defense since 2021.
The 47-year-old drew praise for his work in that capacity during much of his time in New York. The Jets finished last in the NFL in yards allowed in Ulbrich’s first season at the helm, but since then the team has finished no worse than fourth in that department. With respect to points surrendered, New York was generally unable to match that success, including during Ulbrich’s time as interim head coach.
More to come…
