Report: Jets hire Williams as DC


Reuters | Updated: 16-01-2019 02:47 IST | Created: 16-01-2019 02:47 IST
Report: Jets hire Williams as DC

The New York Jets are finalizing a deal with their top choice at defensive coordinator, former Cleveland Browns interim head coach Gregg Williams, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Per the report, the Jets hoped to make Williams their DC regardless of whom they hired as head coach. Now Williams will pair with new head coach Adam Gase, who is the de facto offensive coordinator.

ESPN reported the Washington Redskins -- whose defense Williams coordinated from 2004-07, producing three top-10 units -- also pursued Williams, but the Jets had more interest. Washington still has Greg Manusky under contract as defensive coordinator, but reports have connected the team to various other options.

Williams was let go by the Browns last week after the team chose Freddie Kitchens as its next head coach. Williams went 5-3 as the interim coach in Cleveland after Hue Jackson was fired at midseason, and he also was head coach in Buffalo from 2001-03.

In 17 years as a defensive coordinator, Williams has called plays for six teams. The Browns fell from 14th in yards allowed in 2017 to 30th last season, but they climbed from 31st to 21st in points allowed.

Williams' units have ranked 11th or better in yards and points in the same season six times, though none since 2010 with the New Orleans Saints. He was infamously at the center of the Bountygate scandal in New Orleans, which led to a one-year suspension in 2012.

The Jets' defense has ranked 22nd or worse in points allowed in three straight seasons and 25th in yards allowed each of the last two years.

--Field Level Media

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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