The 2023 season was intriguing for the New York Jets, starting with the 2022 season. After a surprising 6–3 start led by a ferocious defense, the wheels fell off, with the Jets dropping seven of their last eight games. Much of this was due to poor quarterback play, so New York responded by trading a first-round pick and two second-round picks for 39-year-old Aaron Rodgers. He played all four snaps, tearing his Achilles on only his second dropback. Without a contingency plan at quarterback, the Jets struggled again despite having a great defense, finishing the season 7–10. However, with Rodgers on the path to recovery, there is hope for 2024. That is if the Jets can figure out their coaching staff. One of the coaches the Jets retained is Nathaniel Willingham, who enters his third year with the team. Let’s look at the staff and what Willingham brings to the table.
Where Does the Jets Coaching Staff Stand?
The Jets coaching staff has been under heavy scrutiny. Head coach Robert Saleh enters his fourth season at the helm despite a record of 18–33. He has had back-to-back 7–10 seasons, which is a step up from his debut’s 4–13 effort. However, most coaches with a .353 winning percentage across three seasons in New York City would be shown the door.
The uncertainty surrounding the team after Rodgers’ injury and the chaotic nature of that situation bought Saleh at least one more season. For those who bet on NFL futures in 2023, the Jets were a sneaky playoff pick before Rodgers’ injury.
Owner Woody Johnson decided to retain New York general manager Joe Douglas and Saleh for 2024, likely keeping Rodgers happy and in a stable environment. To be fair to Saleh, losing a player the entire team was built around is difficult. With that said, the coaching discussion goes beyond Saleh.
It goes to the top of the organization. When Rodgers came in, he brought his former Green Bay offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as the new Jets offensive coordinator. In The Athletic, sources claimed that Hackett allowed Rodgers to run the offense. When the injury hit, Hackett wasn’t able to adjust.
However, like Saleh, Hackett will be on the staff in 2024, which is likely to make Rodgers happy. Among the only positives from a season without much promise was defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who once again led a great defense. While the defense fell to 12th in points per game allowed after finishing 4th last season, much of that was due to the New York offense turning the ball over more than every team in the league other than the Browns and Vikings. Ulbrich’s defense, aided by defensive assistant Willingham, finished 3rd in total defense. So, how did the Jets find Willingham?
Nathaniel Willingham’s Background and Current Role
Willingham rose, starting as defensive line coach for his alma mater Skyline in 2011–12. He got his first opportunity at the college level at Menlo College before coming on as an assistant with Stanford, where he spent four years. In 2019, Willingham got hired as the defensive quality control coach with the Broncos, where he stayed in that role for three seasons. That led to his opportunity as a defensive assistant with the Jets, starting in 2022.
Willingham has found a home with the Jets, recently serving as the National Team’s linebacker coach at the Senior Bowl. It was a “full circle moment” as Willingham found his job with the Jets, looking for a gig at the Senior Bowl in 2022. He and the entire defensive coaching staff were dismissed after the 2021 season when Vic Fangio got fired. The new coach wanted to bring in his staff. Ironically, that coach was Nathaniel Hackett.
As a former recruiting assistant with Stanford, Willingham feels right at home at the Senior Bowl. After his dismissal, he spent time there to network and look for a job. He met Michael LaFleur, the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. He was on Kyle Shanahan’s staff between 2017 and 2020 before following Saleh to New York to be his offensive coordinator.
He joined the Rams after just one season with the Jets but plugged Willingham’s name to Saleh, helping get him the opportunity to interview for a job. He has spent significant time with the Jets’ linebackers under linebacker coach Mike Rutenberg and could continue to move up.
A Look at the 2024 Season
As for the 2024 Jets, they need upstart coaches like Willingham to continue progressing in the right direction. 2024 will be a crucial season for the entire franchise, as many within the organization will coach for their jobs. For Willingham, he is coaching for the opportunity to continue moving up.
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