Jets' Jeff Ulbrich once thought being a coach was 'craziness' until one play made it all make sense
Jeff Ulbrich’s passion for coaching began with a play by the man who replaced him on the football field
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Jeff Ulbrich's passion for coaching began with a play by the man who replaced him on the football field.
Ulbrich was a veteran linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers playing mostly on special teams because he was backing up a young, emerging Patrick Willis, the team's first-round pick in 2007.
“The supporter of Patrick Willis was what I was,” said a smiling Ulbrich, who’ll make his debut as the New York Jets’ interim head coach Monday night against Buffalo. “Probably the assistant coach to Patrick Willis.”
The two spent many hours together watching tape and working on the field before and after practice. During a game against Arizona — “I still remember, it was just like yesterday” — Ulbrich was on the sideline when Willis made a big play.
