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Who is Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets' interim head coach? 5 facts about Robert Saleh's replacement

charles curtis
·1-min read
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Sep 9, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

A long-term replacement for Robert Saleh might be coming down the road for the New York Jets, but as of publishing this after Gang Green fired Saleh, he's got the head coaching job on an interim basis in the middle of the 2024 season.

Now that he's starting out at the helm of the Jets, you may be wondering: who is this guy? Good question! And we have the answers for you.

Here are a bunch of facts about Ulbrich, and who knows? Maybe he'll do such a good job that the Jets will pull that "interim" tag and make him head coach permanently.

1. He grew up in California

Oct 2, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

He went to Live Oak High School, which is south of San Jose, and didn't play football when he entered the school.

2. He's a former linebacker who spent 10 years with the 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - AUG 11: 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich # 53 runs for a touchdown after he recovered a fumble in the 1st quarter as the 49ers host the Chicago Bears August 11, 2006 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris / Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Ulbrich ORG XMIT: 71575205 GTY ID: 75205DPM008_49ers_vs_bea
SAN FRANCISCO - AUG 11: 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich # 53 runs for a touchdown after he recovered a fumble in the 1st quarter as the 49ers host the Chicago Bears August 11, 2006 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by David Paul Morris / Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Ulbrich ORG XMIT: 71575205 GTY ID: 75205DPM008_49ers_vs_bea

He was a linebacker who amassed 501 combined tackles after being taken out of Hawaii in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

3. He's had other jobs around the NFL and college football

Feb 3, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National head coach Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets talks with staff during the first half of the 2024 Senior Bowl football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National head coach Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets talks with staff during the first half of the 2024 Senior Bowl football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

He worked for the Seattle Seahawks before joining UCLA and the Atlanta Falcons. He was their defensive coordinator in 2000.

4. He's married and has three kids

From The Athletic:

Jets' Jeff Ulbrich once thought being a coach was 'craziness' until one play made it all make sense

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Who is Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets' interim head coach? 5 facts about Robert Saleh's replacement