Jeff Ulbrich

{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1977)}} {{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jeff Ulbrich | image = JeffULBRICHsf49er-53.jpg | alt = | caption = Ulbrich with the San Francisco 49ers in 2002 | current_team = Atlanta Falcons | number = | position = Defensive coordinator | career_position =lb | career_number =53 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|2|17}} | birth_place = San Jose, California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lbs = 240 | high_school = Live Oak {{nowrap|(Morgan Hill, California)}} | college = {{ubl|San Jose State (1995)|Gavilan (1996)|Hawaii (1997–1999)}} | cis = | draftyear = 2000 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 86 | pastteams = * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|2000|2009}}) | pastcoaching = * Seattle Seahawks ({{nfly|2010|2011}})<br>Assistant special teams coordinator * UCLA (2012–2014)<br>Linebackers coach & special teams coordinator * {{ubl|Atlanta Falcons ({{nfly|2015|2020}})}} ** {{ubl|Linebackers coach ({{nfly|2015|2019}})}} ** {{ubl|Assistant head coach & linebackers coach ({{nfly|2020}})}} ** {{ubl|Interim defensive coordinator & linebackers coach ({{nfly|2020}})}} * {{ubl|New York Jets ({{NFL Year|2021|2024}})}} ** {{ubl|Defensive coordinator ({{NFL Year|2021|2024}})}} ** {{ubl|Interim head coach ({{nfly|2024}})}} * Atlanta Falcons ({{nfly|2025}}–present)<br>Defensive coordinator | highlights = * Pac-12 South Division champion (2012) | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 501 | statlabel2 = Sacks | statvalue2 = 5.5 | statlabel3 = Forced fumbles | statvalue3 = 6 | statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue4 = 2 | statlabel5 = Interceptions | statvalue5 = 2 | regular_record = {{Winning percentage|3|9|record=y}} | playoff_record =  | overall_record =  | pfrcoach = UlbrJe0 }} '''Jeffery Wade Ulbrich''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʊ|l|b|r|ᵻ|k}}; born February 17, 1977) is an American professional football coach and former linebacker who is the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hawaii Warriors and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (86th overall) in the 2000 NFL draft and played for the 49ers from 2000 to 2009.

After retiring as a player following the 2009 season, Ulbrich was the assistant special teams coach for the Seattle Seahawks for two seasons. He then served as the linebackers and special teams coach at UCLA for three seasons and later served as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons. From 2021 to 2024, Ulbrich served as defensive coordinator for the New York Jets, being promoted to interim head coach on October 8, 2024, following the firing of Robert Saleh. Since 2025, Ulbrich has served as the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

==Early life== Ulbrich attended Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, California, and lettered three times in football and twice in wrestling. In football, he was a First-team All-League and team MVP. In wrestling, he won a league title (192 pounds).

==Playing career== ===College=== Ulbrich redshirted in his lone season at San Jose State before transferring to Gavilan College. He earned first-team All-Conference and team MVP in lone season at Gavilan College in Gilroy, California. He was a two-year starter at Hawaii. He earned All-WAC first-team selection and team co-captain as a senior. He started all 12 games at middle linebacker. He led the conference with a school-record 169 tackles (42 solo) his senior year. Ulbrich set a school record with 127 assisted tackles, breaking the old mark of 97. He ranked third in the league with eight sacks for 67 yards. He had 15 tackles for loss (58 yards). He was credited with eight quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He returned two interceptions for 38 yards and had one pass defensed. He played in seven games, starting three at strong side inside linebacker as a junior. He finished with 41 tackles (28 solo), including a nine-yard sack. He caused and recovered a fumble.

{{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 3/8 | weight = 249 | dash = 4.66 | ten split = 1.57 | twenty split = 2.69 | shuttle = 4.30 | cone drill = 7.23 | vertical = 32.0 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 1 | bench = 24 | arm span = 31 | hand span = 9 3/4 | note = All values from NFL Combine<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1887&DraftYear=2000 |title=Jeff Ulbrich College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=April 18, 2025}}</ref> }} ===San Francisco 49ers=== Ulbrich was selected out of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round (86th pick overall) of the 2000 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm |access-date=March 19, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref> He only saw action in four games during his rookie season due to a right shoulder injury. He won the starting job in 2001. In 2005, he started only five games at inside linebacker before missing the remainder of the season with a torn biceps muscle. He started in 9 out of 16 games in 2006. Ulbrich took a backup role to first round pick Patrick Willis, and also a role on special teams. He was placed on injured reserve on October 19, 2009, after he suffered a concussion. Ulbrich announced his plans to retire as a result of the concussion on December 9.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-10-19 |title=Concussion ends 49ers LB Ulbrich's season |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4577656 |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Upon retirement, he said that he would like to become a college football coach one day.<ref>{{cite news|author=Maiocco, Matt |title=Ulbrich decides his playing days are over |url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091209/SPORTS/912099923/1010/SPORTS?Title=Ulbrich-decides-his-playing-days-are-over |newspaper=The Press Democrat |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=December 9, 2009 |author-link=Matt Maiocco |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213201048/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091209/SPORTS/912099923/1010/SPORTS?Title=Ulbrich-decides-his-playing-days-are-over |archive-date=December 13, 2009}}</ref>

==Coaching career== ===Seattle Seahawks=== On January 29, 2010, Ulbrich was hired by the Seattle Seahawks as a special teams assistant.<ref name="j505">{{cite web | last=Fucillo | first=David | title=Jeff Ulbrich reportedly hired by Seattle Seahawks as assistant | website=Niners Nation | date=2010-01-29 | url=https://www.ninersnation.com/2010/1/29/1284063/jeff-ulbrich-reportedly-hired-by | access-date=2025-01-28}}</ref>

===UCLA=== In 2012, Ulbrich became the UCLA Bruins linebackers and special teams coach. Ulbrich was elevated to Assistant Head Coach in the spring of 2012, in addition to his duties with the linebackers and special teams. In February 2014, he was promoted to Defensive Coordinator. Two of his linebacker group, Anthony Barr and Jordan Zumwalt, were selected in the 2014 NFL Draft. Ulbrich's defensive unit was ranked third in the Pac-12 in total defense for 2014. It was led by the Butkus and Lott IMPACT Trophy winner linebacker Eric Kendricks. One of his players, Anthony Barr led the nation in sacks with 13.5.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/college-football/stats/player?season=2012&group=80 NCAA Division I-A Player Defense Statistics - 2012]</ref>

===Atlanta Falcons (first stint)=== In 2015, Ulbrich was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as a linebackers coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/college-football/story/_/id/12297492/ucla-bruins-defensive-coordinator-jeff-ulbrich-leaving-program|title=Jeff Ulbrich leaves the Bruins|author=Gemmell, Kevin|date=February 8, 2015|work=ESPN.com|access-date=February 8, 2015}}</ref>

In the 2016 season, Ulbrich and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots. In the Super Bowl, the Falcons fell in a 34–28 overtime defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm|title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=August 6, 2017}}</ref>

In 2020, Ulbrich was promoted to assistant head coach and linebackers coach.<ref name="t475">{{cite web |agency=Associated Press | title=Falcons hire Jeff Ulbrich from Jets as defensive coordinator | website=Chattanooga Times Free Press | date=2025-01-18 | url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/jan/18/falcons-hire-jeff-ulbrich-from-jets-as-defensive/ | access-date=2025-01-28}}</ref>

On October 12, 2020, Ulbrich was named defensive coordinator under interim head coach Raheem Morris, as part of a midseason shakeup of the coaching staff.<ref name="l030">{{cite web | title=Falcons shakeup continues: Jeff Ulbrich named defensive coordinator, special teams coach fired | website=Albany Herald | date=August 5, 2024 | url=https://www.albanyherald.com/sports/falcons-shakeup-continues-jeff-ulbrich-named-defensive-coordinator-special-teams-coach-fired/article_28232953-c699-5564-b53e-b0bceec67332.html | access-date=October 19, 2024}}</ref>

===New York Jets=== On January 21, 2021, Ulbrich was hired by the New York Jets as their defensive coordinator under head coach Robert Saleh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Worley |first=Deen |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Falcons coach Jeff Ulbrich hired as Jets defensive coordinator |url=https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2021/01/21/falcons-jeff-ulbrich-nfl-news-jets-atlanta-raheem-morris/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=Falcons Wire|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> On October 8, 2024, Ulbrich was named interim head coach of the Jets following the firing of head coach Robert Saleh after a 2–3 start of the 2024 season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Allen|first=Eric|title=Jets Part Ways With Robert Saleh, Name Jeff Ulbrich Interim Head Coach|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jeff-ulbrich-interim-jets-interim-head-coach-10-08-2024|website=newyorkjets.com|date=October 8, 2024|access-date=October 8, 2024}}</ref> After losing his first three games as coach, Ulbrich got his first win as a head coach on October 31, against the Houston Texans.<ref name="x903">{{cite web |agency=Associated Press| title=Jeff Ulbrich gets 1st win as interim coach of New York Jets | website=Spectrum Local News | date=2024-10-31 | url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/sports/2024/11/01/hawaii-nfl-jeff-ulbrich-1st-win-new-york-jets-houston-texans-2024#:~:text=Aaron%20Rodgers%20had%20three%20touchdown,a%20University%20of%20Hawaii%20alumnus. | access-date=2025-01-28}}</ref> Ulbrich finished his stint as Jets interim head coach with a 3–9 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 New York Jets Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyj/2024.htm |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Atlanta Falcons (second stint)=== [[File:2025 Commanders at Falcons 67.jpg|thumb|right|Ulbrich (right) speaking with Dan Quinn in 2025]] On January 18, 2025, Ulbrich was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their defensive coordinator under head coach Raheem Morris.<ref>{{cite web|last=McElhaney|first=Tori|title=Atlanta Falcons announce Jeff Ulbrich as next defensive coordinator|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/atlanta-falcons-announce-jeff-ulbrich-as-next-defensive-coordinator|website=atlantafalcons.com|date=January 18, 2025|access-date=January 18, 2025}}</ref>

On January 19, 2026, the Falcons announced that Ulbrich would remain in his same position on the staff of new head coach, Kevin Stefanski.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/retain-jeff-ulbrich-defensive-coordinator|work=AtlantaFalcons.com|title=Falcons retain Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator|date=January 19, 2026|accessdate=January 19, 2026|first=Tori|last=McElhaney}}</ref>

==Career statistics== ===Playing career=== {| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" ! colspan="2"| Legend |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}

====Regular season==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="5"| Interceptions ! colspan="4"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Int !! Yds !! TD !! Lng !! PD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- ! 2000 !! SF | 4 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2001 !! SF | 14 || 14 || 88 || 64 || '''24''' || 0.5 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || '''2''' || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2002 !! SF | 14 || 13 || 70 || 47 || 23 || 1.5 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2003 !! SF | 15 || '''15''' || 79 || 58 || 21 || '''2.5''' || 5 || '''1''' || 7 || 0 || 7 || '''5''' || 1 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 |- ! 2004 !! SF | '''16''' || 14 || '''93''' || '''74''' || 19 || 1.0 || '''9''' || '''1''' || '''19''' || 0 || '''19''' || 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2005 !! SF | 5 || 5 || 42 || 32 || 10 || 0.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2006 !! SF | '''16''' || 9 || 64 || 46 || 18 || 0.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2007 !! SF | '''16''' || 2 || 45 || 31 || 14 || 0.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 |- ! 2008 !! SF | '''16''' || 3 || 18 || 14 || 4 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2009 !! SF | 4 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"| Career !! 120 !! 75 !! 501 !! 366 !! 135 !! 5.5 !! 32 !! 2 !! 26 !! 0 !! 19 !! 13 !! 6 !! 2 !! 0 !! 0 |}

====Playoffs==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="5"| Interceptions ! colspan="4"| Fumbles |- ! GP !! GS !! Cmb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sck !! TFL !! Int !! Yds !! TD !! Lng !! PD !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! TD |- ! 2001 !! SF | 1 || 1 || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! 2002 !! SF | '''2''' || '''2''' || '''15''' || '''10''' || '''5''' || 0.0 || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' || '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0 |- ! colspan="2"| Career !! 3 !! 3 !! 18 !! 12 !! 6 !! 0.0 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 |}

===Head coaching record=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;" ! rowspan="2"|Team !! rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason |- !Won !!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!!Won!!Lost!!Win %!!Result |- !NYJ||2024* || 3 || 9 || 0 || {{winpct|3|9}} || 3rd in AFC East || — || — || — || — |- !colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/UlbrJe0.htm Total] || 3 || 9 || 0 || {{winpct|3|9}}|| || — || — || — || |} *Interim head coach

==Personal life== Ulbrich and his wife, Cristina, have three children together.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/coaches-roster/jeff-ulbrich|title=Jeff Ulbrich – New York Jets Profile|publisher=New York Jets|accessdate=November 4, 2024}}</ref>

Ulbrich's son came to media attention in April 2025 after he was involved in a prank call to Shedeur Sanders during the 2025 NFL draft, in which his friend pretended to be Saints general manager Mickey Loomis selecting Sanders before saying "you're gonna have to wait a little bit longer." The son got the private phone number from his father's unlocked iPad, and later apologized for his involvement.<ref> {{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/falcons-defensive-coordinator-jeff-ulbrichs-son-was-behind-the-shedeur-sanders-prank-call |title= Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's son was behind the Shedeur Sanders prank call|date= April 27, 2025|publisher=NBC Sports|accessdate=April 27, 2025}}</ref> The NFL fined the Falcons $250,000 and Ulbrich $100,000 for the incident. The league said the fines stemmed from the organization’s failure to prevent the disclosure of confidential information distributed to the club in advance of the NFL Draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russini |first=Dianna |last2=Clinton |first2=Cale |date=April 30, 2025 |title=NFL fines Falcons, DC Jeff Ulbrich for leak leading to Shedeur Sanders prank call |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6323798/2025/04/30/nfl-fines-falcons-jeff-ulbrich-shedeur-sanders/ |access-date=April 30, 2025 |publisher=The Athletic}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.atlantafalcons.com/team/coaches-roster/jeff-ulbrich Atlanta Falcons profile]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulbrich, Jeff}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:American football middle linebackers Category:Atlanta Falcons coaches Category:Coaches of American football from California Category:Gavilan Rams football players Category:Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football players Category:NFL defensive coordinators Category:New York Jets coaches Category:New York Jets head coaches Category:People from Morgan Hill, California Category:Players of American football from Santa Clara County, California Category:Players of American football from San Jose, California Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:San Jose State Spartans football players Category:Seattle Seahawks coaches Category:UCLA Bruins football coaches