Jeff Ulbrich was in the middle of creating the game plan for the New York Jets’ defense when he received shocking news that surprised him and the entire NFL.
Robert Saleh was out as the head coach, and Ulbrich was stepping in for the rest of the season.
“And then four hours later, I’m doing a press conference here with you guys as the new interim coach of the New York Jets,” Ulbrich said during a video call with reporters on Tuesday.
Owner Woody Johnson made the unexpected choice to fire Saleh just five games into his fourth season. Johnson was unhappy with how the team was performing after it fell to a 2-3 record following a 23-17 loss to Minnesota in London on Sunday.
The owner sees these Jets as “one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled” in the franchise’s history. However, Johnson wasn’t convinced that Saleh could lead the Jets to the playoffs, a place they haven’t reached in 13 seasons, or push for a Super Bowl run.
So, he turned to the 47-year-old Ulbrich, a former NFL linebacker and longtime assistant coach whom Johnson has closely observed during his four years with the team.
“When he talks, they listen to him in a way that probably represents the fact that he did play the sport at linebacker for 10 years, which is pretty unique,” Johnson said. “So he brings that knowledge and the respect.”
Ulbrich has moved from leading one of the NFL’s top defenses to trying to turn around a frustrated franchise.
“It has been a whirlwind,” Ulbrich admitted. “It has been four hours of craziness.” Things are about to get even busier for him.
The Jets began last season with Super Bowl hopes, but those hopes faded when Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon just four plays into his first game with the team.
A healthy and motivated Rodgers welcomed those high expectations again this season. But with the four-time NFL MVP turning 41 in December, Johnson and the Jets are aware that their chance to win is limited.
With New York on a two-game losing streak and facing the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills next Monday night, the owner made the decision to fire his head coach during the season—something he hadn’t done since taking over the team in 2000.
“The change that we made today — that I made,” Johnson said, “I believe will bring new energy and positivity and will lead to more wins, starting now.”
However, Ulbrich has some tough history to deal with. Only twice has an NFL interim coach led a team to the playoffs: the 2021 Raiders with Rich Bisaccia and the 1961 Oilers with Wally Lemm.
