Who is Jeff Ulbrich? What to know about interim Jets coach replacing fired Robert Saleh | Sporting News United Kingdom

The Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday. He led the team to a 2-3 record to begin the 2024 season. 

Saleh was dealt a tough hand in New York, dealing with constant quarterback change in his years with the team. He was once a highly-touted defensive coordinator for the 49ers, which landed him the job in New York. Throughout his tenure, the Jets’ defense remained strong, but the offense continued to struggle. The Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2023 season hoping to fix that issue, but a season-ending injury on the first offensive drive of that season took that option out.

Rodgers is finally healthy and New York has picked up wins against the Titans and Patriots. But two consecutive losses turned out to the be the final straw, Saleh was fired after a 23-17 loss to the Vikings in Week 5.

New York will go through a coaching search in the offseason, but for now will be promoting an internal coach to the interim head coach role. The Sporting News has you covered for updates on who the new interim head coach is for the Jets. 

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Who is Jeff Ulbrich?

The New York front office decided to promote defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as the interim head coach. He will get his first chance to lead the Jets to a win in Week 6 as they host the Bills in ‘Monday Night Football.’ Ulbrich spent nine years playing in the NFL from 2000 to 2009 and got his first coaching role in 2010. 

Jeff Ulbrich playing career

Ulbrich bounced around during college. The linebacker started out at San Jose State in 1995, but redshirted. He then transferred to Gavilan to play in 1996, and transferred once again — this time to Hawaii — in 1997. Ulbrich finished out his college career with the Rainbow Warriors and was drafted in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. 

Ulbrich spent all nine years of his career playing for the 49ers. He was never a Pro Bowler, or league leader in a category, but was always a solid and reliable role player for San Francisco. 

Jeff Ulbrich coaching history

Ulbrich last played in 2009. He was then hired by the Seahawks to be their assistant special teams coordinator. He served in that role for two seasons, before heading to coach in college. Ulbrich was hired in 2012 to be the UCLA Bruins’ linebackers coach and special teams coordinator.

After three seasons, he returned to the NFL coaching ranks, becoming the linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons. Ulbrich was promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2020.

Ulbrich joined Saleh’s Jets coaching staff as the defensive coordinator in 2021 and has served in that role ever since. He is reportedly beloved by everyone in the building. 

Jeff Ulbrich career stats 

Ulbrich played in 120 career games over his nine-year career. He dealt with several injuries in his career, including a concussion in 2009 that caused him to retire. 

• 120 games
• 75 starts
• 501 career tackles
• 5.5 sacks
• 2 interceptions
• 6 forced fumbles
• 2 fumble recoveries