The search continues! With Jimmy Lake left in 2024, Atlanta is interviewing prospective defensive coordinators, the latest being an old friend in Jeff Ulbrich.
Falcons now have interviewed former Jets interim HC Jeff Ulbrich for their defensive coordinator opening.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2025
Most recently, Ulbrich replaced Robert Saleh as head coach of the Jets in the interim after serving as New York’s defensive coordinator for three seasons. Before his stint in New York, he held various positions in Atlanta.
From 2015 to 2020, Ulbrich was the Falcons linebackers coach before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator and then defensive coordinator when Dan Quinn was fired and replaced by Raheem Morris as interim. The link is there and obvious. Morris and Ulbrich coached together for a long time, in very close proximity.
They didn’t have much success in Atlanta with the Falcons defense, and each has had varying levels of success in their most recent stop. Morris coordinated some average defenses in Los Angeles with the Rams, while Ulbrich oversaw an elite group in New York.
In 2023, which was Ulbrich’s last full season as Jets defensive coordinator, the New York defense finished third in defensive EPA, third in yards allowed per game and tied for seventh in sacks. Context, however, is important.
Firstly, that was Robert Saleh’s defense; make no bones about it. Of course, Ulbrich contributed, but let’s not act like he was the primary factor in that stingy defense.
Secondly and most importantly, the Falcons defensive personnel pales in comparison to the Jets, who featured a breadth of talent like Quincy Williams, Quinnen Williams, Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson II, Jordan Whitehead, C.J. Mosely, D.J. Reed, and more. It was an elite defense with elite talent.
The Falcons job would be a much tougher task for Jeff Ulbrich, but it also might be his best opportunity to prove his worth around the league.
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Photographer: Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire
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