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 a role 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 guiding 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.
The Jets fired Robert Saleh after Week 5 in an attempt to spark a midseason turnaround. That did not prove to be the case, with the team’s offense in many instances failing to live up to expectations. The was often true on the other side of the ball despite the fact Ulbrich continued calling defensive plays after his promotion to interim HC. Still, after finishing the season 2-9, he interviewed for the full-time position before doing the same this week for the Falcons’ DC gig.
New York has cast a wide net in search of a new coach, but another candidate can now be crossed off the list of contenders on that front. Ulbrich will turn his attention to helping the Falcons improve on defense moving forward. The team ranked 23rd in points and yards allowed this past season, the first with Jimmy Lake as defensive coordinator. Lake was fired after the campaign ended, and starting in 2025 plenty of room for improvement exists against both the run and pass in Atlanta’s case. Once again, the team struggled in the pass-rush department this in 2024, ranking 31st in the NFL with 31.
Part of a busy offseason for the Falcons last year included the trade for edge rusher Matt Judon and the signing of safety Justin Simmons. Both are pending free agents, so finding replacements at each of those positions could be a priority on defense for Ulbrich and Co. in the near future. In any case, he will look to guide a rebound on that side of the ball in Atlanta and in doing so help the team move past a disappointing end to the 2024 campaign and boost his future head coaching stock in the process.
Here is the final breakdown of how the Falcons’ search played out:
- Lou Anarumo, former defensive coordinator (Cincinnati Bengals): Interviewed 1/15
- Derrick Ansley, pass-game coordinator (Atlanta Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Grady Brown, secondary coach (Pittsburgh Steelers): Interviewed 1/17
- Matt Eberflus, former head coach (Chicago Bears): Interviewed 1/18
- Wink Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Interviewed 1/14
- Jeff Ulbrich, interim head coach (New York Jets): Hired
- Steve Wilks, former defensive coordinator (San Francisco 49ers): Interviewed 1/17
Interesting choice. I honestly thought he would have a little more trouble than someone with his resume normally would given how tumultuous the Jets’ defense was last year. Hopefully for Atlanta that was an environment thing and not on Ulbrich himself. Atlanta still needs a lot of young talent injected into that side of the hall, however-I’d fully expect Fontenot to spend most of his resources there this upcoming offseason.
The Jets’ defense 1) Had a ton of injuries to pivotal players, from Jermaine Johnson to CJ Mosely to DJ Reed (plus the Reddick mess and some lost depth), 2) Was much worse after Saleh was fired and Ulbrich ran the defense while also being head coach. I think he’s a great lieutenant to a defensive minded head coach.
Those all are good points, but as you yourself pointed out in another thread about Saleh, it’s hard to go to a fanbase and say that you’ve found the solution and it’s the guy who just left the Jets’ job after a terrible year defensively. Ulbrich, as I alluded to, was dealing with a lot of non-defensive issues courtesy of his owner, but it’s still something that follows him…especially since the defense wasn’t actually bad until he took over.
I actually don’t think that he’s a bad coach necessarily, but he also has a lot of questions to answer this year as to whether or not he can be a good one on his own.
Jets defense ranked 17th vs. rush/4th vs. pass/20th overall. The main issue was the constant drama around the team, compounded by 6 blown 4th-quarter leads.
Ranking 20th in points allowed was more of an issue than just drama (even though the drama definitely contributed, a lot of the drama was from, well, losing). Again, I’m not saying that Ulbrich is for sure terrible, and I think if they had just rolled with Saleh they’d have been better. However, it’s still a situation where all parties involved probably need a little reputation rehab, even if it’s undeserved in most of their cases.
Johnson is the problem, but he’s negatively affected everyone involved. Saleh’s departure definitely had a huge impact on the team, and especially the defense, and it’s pretty easy to see. The kicking situation deteriorating also didn’t help-it single-handedly assuredly cost the Jets at least three wins this year, and arguably at least two more.
Doesn’t a good coach control the room, though? Jets D gave up after Saleh left.
I’ll take it
Typical buddy boy hire by the Falcons. He will make a tolerable interim HC in 2025 around week 10.
Are they going to draft some defensive talent early after years of offense?
Brick is great defensive mind and coach. Pay no attention to his interim status with the Jets. The franchise is a dumpster with an idiot owner. ATL will be pleased