The New York Jets have added another name to their growing list of coaching candidates, with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. of the Washington Commanders interviewing for the head coach vacancy this past Sunday.
Whitt, who is currently leading the defense for the Commanders in his first season, played a pivotal role in their recent victory over the Detroit Lions. The Commanders’ defense forced an impressive five turnovers in a thrilling 45-31 win, securing their spot in the NFC championship for the first time in over three decades.
The 46-year-old Whitt is the 16th coaching candidate to sit down with the Jets to discuss the head coach position. The Jets have been thorough in their search, conducting a total of 15 interviews for their general manager role as well.
Among the notable names in contention for the head coaching job alongside Whitt are Brian Flores, Aaron Glenn, and Ron Rivera. The diverse pool of candidates also includes familiar faces like Josh McCown, Matt Nagy, and Rex Ryan.
Former Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who took the helm for 12 games following Robert Saleh’s departure, has secured a new role as the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, Mike Vrabel, another candidate for the Jets’ head coaching position, has been snapped up by the New England Patriots as their new head coach.
Whitt’s coaching journey has seen him collaborate with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn in various capacities. Their professional relationship dates back to their time together in Atlanta, where Whitt served as the Falcons’ pass game coordinator and secondary coach. After a stint in Dallas, Whitt reunited with Quinn in Washington when the latter took over as the Commanders’ head coach.
Whitt’s coaching career began at the college level, with coaching stops at Auburn, The Citadel, and Louisville before transitioning to the NFL. He landed his first NFL job as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Atlanta Falcons in 2007 under Bobby Petrino. Whitt went on to have coaching stints with Green Bay and Cleveland before circling back to Atlanta and eventually finding his way to Washington.
As the Jets continue their search for new leadership, each candidate brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table. With Whitt’s defensive expertise and track record of success, he represents a strong contender for the Jets’ head coaching position.
For more NFL news and updates, visit the AP NFL hub at https://apnews.com/hub/NFL.
