Falcons retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich

Field Level Media|published: 01/19/2026, 11:41am EST

Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

New Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski will retain defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, the team announced Monday.

Ulbrich agreed to a new three-year deal, according to an NFL Network report.

Ulbrich arrived in Atlanta ahead of the 2025 season after serving as the New York Jets defensive coordinator (2021-24) and interim head coach after Robert Saleh's firing in October 2024.

He inherited a unit that was 23rd in total defense (345.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (24.9) in 2024. After a draft where the team almost exclusively drafted defensive players, his defense set a franchise record with 57 sacks (second to the Denver Broncos in the NFL), ranking 15th in total defense (326.8) and 19th in scoring defense (23.6).

This is Ulbrich's second stint in Atlanta. He was previously the Falcons' linebackers coach from 2015-19, also taking on assistant head coach and then interim DC duties in 2020 before leaving for New York.

Ulbrich, 48, was a third-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft out of Hawaii and played 10 seasons as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. He appeared in 120 games (75 starts) and recorded 501 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions.

--Field Level Media