Jets' Defensive Coordinator Will Be Head Coach For a Week

Senior Bowl tabs New York's Jeff Ulbrich to lead National Team at annual college all-star game

New York Jets' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has a prime opportunity to get an up close look at some of the top talent that the 2024 NFL Draft class has to offer.

Ulbrich will serve as the National Team's head coach for the annual Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile. With a reputation as the preeminent college all-star showcase, the game will feature numerous premier prospects, who will spend a full week under the tutelage of current NFL coaches.

"I’m extremely honored to be chosen as one of the head coaches for the Senior Bowl," said Ulbrich in the Senior Bowl's official press release. "This game has featured some of the greatest players in NFL history and remains as one of the highest honors that can be given to a college football player. It also has consistently given under-the-radar players from big and small school schools alike an opportunity to compete against the best. Compete in a venue with the guidance of NFL coaches and get unrivaled exposure to every NFL team." 

Ulbrich will lead a National Team staff comprised of New York Giants' quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney (offensive coordinator), Minnesota Vikings' pass game coordinator/defensjve backs coach Daronte Jones (defensive coordinator) and New Orleans Saints' assistant special teams coach Phil Galiano (special teams coordinator).

In addition to a unique opportunity in the draft evaluation process, Ulbrich will have the chance to showcase himself as a head coach. He'll have the chance to lead a staff and prepare a team of pro prospects to play a game.

"I had a chance to observe Jeff down here at the Senior Bowl two years ago when the Jets staff coached in the game, and he brought tons of juice to his defensive players so I know he’ll bring great energy to the role," said Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy.

The 46-year-old Ulbrich has shown head coach qualities and could become a coveted candidate in the near future. The former NFL linebacker presided over a Top 4 defense for the second year in a row this fall. The Jets ranked third overall in total defense (292.3) at the conclusion of the 2023 regular season. New York limited opponent's to a league-low 4.57 yards per play. 

"I would love to see him get one [a head coaching job]," said Jets' head coach Robert Saleh in late December. "He was hired with the full thought that he could definitely be a head coach if given the opportunity to run with it."

The Reese's Senior Bowl is set for February 3 at 1:00 pm ET in Mobile, AL. NFL Network will carry the game live.

Coming out of college, Ulbrich went through the Senior Bowl experience 24 years ago. After improving his draft stock, he went on to enjoy a 10-year NFL playing career with the San Francisco 49ers. 

"This game is also a critical part of my story. I played in the 2000 Senior Bowl and went from a potentially undrafted rookie to a third-round pick, which is actually pretty common throughout the history of this storied game," said Ulbrich.

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