Mangini to be Introduced as New Jets' Head Coach

New York Jets Executive Vice President/General Manager Terry Bradway will hold a press conference at 4:00 p.m. today to introduce new Jets’ Head Coach Eric Mangini. The press conference will be held in the auditorium at Weeb Ewbank Hall located on the campus of Hofstra University.

Mangini joins the Jets following six seasons with the New England Patriots, the first of five which he served as the team’s defensive backs coach. He was promoted to defensive coordinator last offseason after Romeo Crennel took the head coaching position in Cleveland. The Patriots played great defense down the stretch in ’05, including a three-game December stretch when they held the Jets, the Bills, and the Buccaneers to just 10 points combined.



The 34-year old Mangini is no stranger to the Jets. He worked as a defensive assistant/quality control coach for the Green & White from 1997-’99. That talented Bill Parcells’ coaching staff also included Bill Belilchick who was the Jets’ assistant head coach/secondary coach.

In 1999, the Jets defense ranked third in the AFC with 24 interceptions, the team’s highest total since 1969 (29). The defensive backs recorded 18 of those 24 interceptions. In 1998, the Jets defense surrendered just 16.6 points per game, ranking third in franchise history and helping the Jets to a 12-4 overall record and their first division title.

This will be Mangini’s first season as a head coach, but 12th season coaching in the NFL. In Mangini’s short career, he has already been a part of five division winners and three Super Bowl champions.

Mangini becomes the 14th full-time coach in Jets’ history. The front office interviewed a deep pool of candidates including the likes of former Saints coach Jim Haslett, Rams interim coach Joe Vitt, former Vikings head coach Mike Tice, Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, and the team’s three coordinators: offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, special teams coach/assistant head coach Mike Westhoff, and Henderson. Late Monday night, Bradway released a statement and signs pointed to a decision.

"No other candidates are expected at this point," Bradway said. "At this point, we are going to huddle up and review our process to this point and decide what our next plan of action is."
source : newyorkjets.com